Cheltenham Day 3 Nap of the Day: Take 13/2 about Owen’s ‘bet of the week’

The Cheltenham Festival continues into Thursday and my Cheltenham Day 3 Nap of the Day is also my idea of the best bet of the entire meeting.

It's been a good first half of the Cheltenham Festival for Gavin Cromwell, which bodes well for THECOMPANYSERGEANT in the Plate.

The eight-year-old son of Kayf Tara in the 2m4½f handicap chase is my bet of the week.

Around this time last year, while under the care of Denis Gerard Hogan, he finished second to Willie Mullins' 146-rated Mister Policeman in Grade 3 company at Thurles, prior to a career-best fourth in the Grade 1 WillowWarm Gold Cup at Fairyhouse.

The winner of that race was a certain Spillane's Tower, now rated 165 after almost beating Ryanair favourite Fact To File in the John Durkan earlier in the season, and he had Tactical Move (145) and Blood Destiny (152) in second and third respectively. Thecompanysergeant was only six lengths behind the winner in fourth.

It goes without saying, that's very strong form. As far as I'm concerned, he ran to around 145 that day. Keep that in mind.

He failed to replicate that sort of level in any of his next six starts for previous connections, although he never disgraced himself, and then he joined Cromwell's operation in County Meath in November.

Just over two months later, he was given a spin over the smaller obstacles and shaped encouragingly. He travelled well from the start and was contesting the lead approaching the final flight, but weakened in the final stages.

I'd say he will have needed the run and it ought to have put him spot on for Thursday's assignment back over the bigger obstacles at the Festival.

Gavin's been bullish about his new recruit during the build-up to this week, which tells me he was very happy with his reappearance and that he's showing him all the right signs at home. Hopefully he's back to his best, or dare I say even better. That's not a far-fetched suggestion.

Remember what I said earlier? This is a horse with the ability to perform well into the 140s and not look out of place in Grade 1 company, so I was very pleased to see 139 next to his name on the day the weights were revealed.

On top of that, the excellent Conor Stone-Walsh rides, taking three pounds off his back. So, he's essentially off 136 here. He could have loads in hand.

I don't think this is a great renewal of the Plate either, so I've got high hopes about his chances. Fingers crossed.

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