Day Three, it's finally upon us, so let's dive straight into the action, the Grand National Preview will be in a separate piece because it could be a long one so!
Race one of the third day of the festival is a Handicap Hurdle, one of my favourite ways to start a days racing.
Everything in the race here has a live chance, but I'm going to go with Ballybegg each-way who's looked useful for Kerry Lee so far with back-to-back victories and looking like this three mile trip is within his reach.
Race two is a Grade One Novice's Hurdle and the favourite My Drogo looks like a brilliant chaser in the making for next season.
This horse was 50/1 on his bumper debut at Cheltenham back in October, and he finished second behind a horse of Nicky Henderson's called I Am Maximus, only getting beaten by just over a length.
The Skelton brothers wasted no time and sent him hurdling on his next start where he won at Newbury, before moving onto Grade Two glory at Ascot next time up.
He then went to Kelso last month and ran out an emphatic winner to land another Grade Two glory, and if he continues this form into his chasing next season, he's very much a one to keep a close eye on.
He's my selection here, and even if he does get beat, I'd be very surprised if he didn't get placed because he did miss Cheltenham to come here instead.
The third of the day is Shishkin's to lose and he should not be beaten here, before the fourth race of the day sees the fascinating match up between Paisley Park and Thyme Hill.
This is the third time these two have met this season, with the score currently being 1-1 and this shaping up to be the all important decider.
Roksana is the each-way value in the race and she'll be as consistent as ever here, and if both horses fail to deliver then she will pick up the pieces.
However this race is all about these two and who's going to run out the winner.
Thyme Hill has age on his side with being the younger of the two, but Paisley Park has that experience which he put to good use when he won the last meeting between the two at Ascot.
I'm going to go with Thyme Hill though just because I think this track will suit him more than it will Paisley Park.
Race five is a Handicap Chase and I'll keep things simple again like I have done with the other handicaps this week.
Sam Brown is a lightly raced horse who has ran well on all three of his last outings, and if all is well, then I could see him running close here at a decent price.
The Grand National is the next on the card and like I said, a longer preview into all the runners and riders will be released alongside this piece so, make sure you check that out to see what my selection is for the big race, and also some other horses that could go close.
In the final race of the day, which is a Grade Two bumper, I'm going to go for something at a massive price just because he won at Chepstow last time with a bit of a problem to say the least.
Mot a Mot had tack problems that day, and James Bowen still managed to get the horse to win so, at a price of around 20/1 currently all I can say is why not give him a chance in this contest.
So that's all of day three previewed here apart from the Grand National of course, and I think you should head over to that piece right now and take a look on my thoughts on the big race!
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