Cheltenham Day 3 Tips: Mullins to take a slight backseat?

The Willie Mullins show, otherwise known as the Cheltenham Festival, continues on Thursday with three Grade 1s, including the Stayers' Hurdle.

Perhaps boldly, only two Mullins runners feature in my Cheltenham Day 3 tips, so fingers crossed we see some new names in the winners' enclosure.

13:30 Turners Novices' Chase - Grey Dawning @ 9/4

It's been a dominant couple of days for the Irish, but the home team has a strong hand in Thursday's opener courtesy of Iroko, Ginny's Destiny and GREY DAWNING.

The latter, for the Skeltons, is my pick.

He was extremely unlucky not to beat the re-opposing Ginny's Destiny, who was in receipt of three pounds, over course and distance a month later having made a crushing mistake at the second-last fence and off level weights and with a clearer round, I strongly fancy the seven-year-old to reverse that form.

Iroko will have to be very, very good to win this after just one run and a 128-day lay-off due to injury, while Facile Vega continues to flatter to deceive over the bigger obstacles, as much as I do expect improvement for this step up in trip.

14:10 Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle - Icare Allen e/w @ 9/1

I don't think this is a very strong renewal of the Pertemps and Willie Mullins' ICARE ALLEN is a clear standout in my book.

The JP McManus-owned six-year-old was busy over the summer, running well in competitive races mainly over the minimum trip, and qualified for this at Aintree in November with an eye-catching run off 142, which is unchanged.

He's so unexposed over staying trips and the fact he's been left alone for over 120 days, presumably with this race in mind, just exudes confidence as far as I'm concerned. I'm expecting a big run.

With Betfred paying six places instead of four, I suggest playing this one each-way.

14:50 Ryanair Chase - Conflated @ 7/1

Fingers crossed the ground doesn't dry up too much, for I give CONFLATED an outstanding chance in the Ryanair on soft or worse.

Gordon Elliott's 10-year-old, who's the joint highest-rated horse in the field, has been in great form this season, running with plenty of credit over three miles behind Gold Cup horses Gerri Colombe and Galopin Des Champs.

I think this drop in trip in a field with plenty of front-runners and therefore pace will be absolutely perfect for the son of Yeats. He is likely to be ridden with patience and must have every chance of picking up the pieces late, with the likes of Ahoy Senor and Stage Star expected to do plenty in front.

15:30 Stayers' Hurdle - Teahupoo @ 7/4

He's another one that wouldn't want conditions to improve significantly, but TEAHUPOO is surely just the best horse in what rates another muddling Stayers' Hurdle?

I probably said exactly that last year, before he came up short against then 11-year-old stablemate Sire Du Berlais and fellow veteran Dashel Drasher, but he was only six and connections firmly believe he's a significantly better horse when kept fresh.

That's exactly what they've done this season, opting not to run him since his against-the-odds beating of Impaire Et Passe in the G1 Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse in early December. Hopefully that does the trick.

I put up Sir Gerhard for this at 20/1 antepost and I'm obviously happy with that position given he's 15/2 at time of writing, but his form has taken substantial knocks and it's more hope, less confidence on that front.

16:10 Plate Handicap Chase - Crebilly @ 4/1

My strongest handicap fancy of the week is CREBILLY - another one that forms part of my antepost book (at 10s) - in the Plate.

I couldn't believe that Jonjo O'Neill's seven-year-old was raised just one pound for beating Tahmuras and Trelawne, admittedly in receipt of weight, snugly at Exeter the last day, especially considering his form with the 155-rated Ginny's Destiny, who hopefully gives a good account of himself in the Turners earlier on the card.

The Soldier Of Fortune gelding will need to jump significantly better than he did on his last visit to Prestbury Park, but I believe he could have 5-10lbs in hand and that would make him an outstanding proposition here.

16:50 Mares' Novices' Hurdle - Jade De Grugy @ 2/1

This is the race of the Festival for me. In Brighterdaysahead, Jade De Grugy and Dysart Enos there's three very talented mares who all bringing completely different attributes and formlines to the table.

There's a lot of confidence behind the aforementioned Gordon Elliott runner, but I'm sticking with Willie Mullins' JADE DE GRUGY (yes, another of my antepost selections) who looks to have it all.

She's possessed with equal amounts of speed and stamina, goes on any ground and jumps smartly. I see no chinks in her armour and expect a bold show.

17:30 Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase - Whacker Clan @ 17/2

Last but certainly not least, I think WHACKER CLAN for the in-form Henry de Bromhead is a great bet in the last.

The eight-year-old is lightly-raced for his age and has progressed nicely on his last two starts in this sphere, culminating in a three-length beating of Twig, who was second in Tuesday's Ultima off a mark of 143, on Cheltenham's old course over 3m1f last October.

Given a spin over hurdles last month, he should be primed for the big day and must have an excellent chance off a lowly mark of 131 and with talented amateur John Gleeson in the saddle.

As an Extra Place Race, with five on offer, this suggestion is each-way.