OUR IN-form tipster Karl Hedley has tipped five winners since the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival. Vautour, Quevega and Whisper all obliged for our man. Here are Karl’s tips for the day…
In-brief – Karl’s tips on day three are:
1-30 Oscar Whisky
2-05 Top Wood
2-40 Benefficient
3-20 Big Bucks
4-00 Giorgio Quercus (Hunt Ball runs earlier)
4-40 Buddy Bolero
In more detail, Karl’s big tips are:
2-40 - Ryanair Chase (Grade 1) (2M 5F)
Benefficient ran a cracking trial for this race when winning the Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown just after Christmas. He picked off better fancied rivals in Arvika Legionnaire and Hidden Cyclone with the minimum of fuss. The front three pulled some 15 lengths clear of the remainder, so the form does look solid.
Al Ferof clearly fails to stay three miles and it looks as though Paul Nicholls will run him here instead of the Gold Cup. The step back down in trip is certainly in his favour and a return to better ground and this track shall also suit. He has had a couple of very hard races lately and that may just detract from his chances.
First Lieutanant is a class act on his day and has some excellent course form at Cheltenham. He is also likely to be ridden by Bryan Cooper now that he is the stable jockey for Gigginstown. Tony Martin may therefore call upon Ruby Walsh to partner Benefficient and if so they will command plenty of respect. This looks to be a mouthwatering clash and Benefficient can come out on top.
3-20 - LADBROKES WORLD HURDLE (GRADE 1) – 3 MILES
Big Bucks can regain his World Hurdle crown despite not winning on his seasonal reappearance at the track back in January. Tactics are going to play a massive part in this race and Paul Nicholls has entered what can only be described as a relay team in order for his stable star to shine.
Zarkandar, Celestial Halo and Salubrious all merit respect in their own way, but they may all be sacrificed to see off the massive challenger that is Annie Power.
Willie Mullins’ fast rising six year old is the only conceivable danger to Big Bucks, but whilst she is ubeaten in ten career starts she is far from proven at this trip. She looks as though she will stay but that doesn’t necessarily mean that she will. She receives a handy seven pounds weight allowance from her male counterparts and has the added bonus of Ruby Walsh being in the saddle. She certainly has everything in her favour to win but she has had a long season and that has to be considered.
Big Bucks has won 20 one of his 26 career starts and having been here and done it all before on multiple occasions he is the selection.
4-00 - Byrne Group Plate (Grade 3 Handicap Chase) (2M 4F)
Hunt Ball looks to have been given every chance by the handicapper following a highly creditable run behind Captain Chris in the Ascot Chase. That was his first run for Nicky Henderson and he is taken to build on that solid performance. He has plenty of previous course and distance form to his name and it is worth remembering that he landed a novices’ handicap chase at this meeting two years ago.
Carrickboy won this race last year at a massive price and with his yard in such excellent form he can once again make the frame. Double Ross is another that loves it around Cheltenham and is locally trained. He holds multiple entries at this stage but is another with solid claims if he is confirmed. Hunt Ball just has that little bit of class about him and he can make his presence felt at rewarding odds.
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