The Scout provides all the tips for day three’s action at Cheltenham (Image: Getty)
4.00 Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle
ROCKY’S DIAMOND (4.00) is fancied to rough-up the main protagonists for a Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle shock at Cheltenham.
No five-year-old has claimed the crown in more than 70 years – but don’t let that put you off in the feature race on day three.
An out of the ordinary performer, Declan Queally only asked his gelding to debut at Gowran Park a year ago this month.
From that point onwards, the youngster made rapid progress to bag a handicap from a mark of 123 in October and was a long odds third to Home By The Lee in the Grade One Savills Hurdle a month later.
My selection then brushed up his hurdle-hopping technique to fend off Thedevilscoachman – an impressive scorer since – at Grade Two level.
That is unlikely to be the bottom of the barrel and with reigning champion Teahupoo taking a large chunk out of the market, Rocky’s Diamond is a play at each-way odds of 20-1.
Gordon Elliott’s clubhouse leader sets the standard, but with insignificant rain at Prestbury Park, stablemate The Wallpark is fancied for a forecast spot ahead of likeable type Lucky Place.
Bob Olinger
Pipped in a three-way thriller to last year’s Aintree Hurdle, the ten-year-old can be relied on to put in a shift for record-breaking jockey Rachael Blackmore. Runs Cheltenham very well – unbeaten in three races – and could surprise a few.
Buddy One
Not been in the same form since finishing just over eight lengths behind Teahupoo in last year’s renewal – including at this track – and appears to have reached his limit.
Crambo
Dual Grade One-winning stayer in Ascot’s Long Walk. Flopped in this last year and did little to dispel the theory he dislikes Cheltenham with a down-the-field Cleeve hurdle effort. Much of his best form has been recorded at right-handed circuits.
Franciscan Rock
Made excellent progress under the guidance of Mouse Morris after taking eight attempts to reach number one. Last year’s Coral Cup fifth is held by Langer Dan, Lucky Place and also Rocky’s Diamond on later Gowran Park placings, but should run his race.
Ga Law
Smart handicap chaser, whose hurdles rating leaves him with plenty to find. Change of discipline needs to perk him up in a major way.
Gowel Road
Few are as tough and genuine as this fella, trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies and ridden by his son Sam. However the form book suggests he will not better previous second places behind The Wallpark and Lucky Place from level weights.
Home By The Lee
Finished sixth, fifth and third so getting closer. Arrived on the back of two victories in 2023 and has matched that ahead of his fourth attempt, having a bit to spare over Bob Olinger. Does seem to prefer races on home soil and a place is the best he can probably hope for.
Langer Dan
Handled by his namesake Skelton, abandoning the handicap route after number crunchers only dropped the Coral Cup mainstay 2lb. A spring horse, he should be scrapping away at the finish if they go fast enough.
Lucky Place
A lack of opportunities forced Nicky Henderson to rethink a novice chasing campaign. Uncomplicated with a tip-top temperament, the six-year-old remains oven to improvement at an untried trip.
Mystical Power
Looks to be taking a stab in the dark at reviving his recent fortunes in the most open championship race of the week. Classy as a novice but seemed a shadow of his former self in two 2024-5 appearances.
Nemean Lion
Thriving at Kerry Lee’s stable and convinced the team to do a U-turn after a typically gutsy Grade Two success in Fontwell’s National Spirit Hurdle. Has to back it up at Cheltenham.
Rocky’s Diamond
Only five and the youngest member of the line-up. Needs to overcome trends for his age, yet he is progressing at a rate of knots and is versatile in terms of ground – the sign of a good horse. Stamina proven and fancied to spring a surprise.
Teahupoo
The reigning champion and earner of more than £640,000 from 17 races. Goes particularly well fresh; put away for his title defence after claiming second in the 2m4f Hatton’s Grace Hurdle. Grounds for taking him on are a lack of rain, short odds and no winners so far this week for Gordon Elliott.
The Wallpark
Preferred to his short-priced stablemate, giving up his position as the long-term Pertemps Final favourite for a crack at Grade One glory. A new addition to the vast string of JP McManus, who has enjoyed success in this race. A strong podium contender off an end-to-end gallop.
The Scout’s verdict
1 Rocky’s Diamond
2 The Wallpark
3 Lucky Place
Rest of Day Three selections
CHELTENHAM centurion Willie Mullins is fancied to get off to a flyer on day three of the Festival with KAROLINE BANBOU (1.20) in the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.
Given time to find her stride at Closutton’s supercharged stable, the French recruit accelerated away from 11 opponents at Fairyhouse.
Mark Walsh was motionless up top as the smart flat performer crossed the line with a couple of lengths in hand – but the margin could have been much more.
Described as a backward type by Mullins, she has been given time to flourish further since that February opening and looks a potent threat to ante-post favourite Sixandahalf.
On an attractive chase rating, NURBURGRING (2.00) has not been missed in the Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Chase market.
Prepared by shrewd handicap target man Joseph O’Brien, the one-time Royal Ascot runner has made a positive start over fences.
Unlucky not to finish closer in last year’s Triumph Hurdle, he has emerged with credit in his new discipline behind above-average pair Touch Me Not and Down Memory Lane.
Cheekpieces go back on and from just 4lb higher than when he ran away with the 2024 Galway Hurdle, the layers look to have this spot on.
Claiming rider Tiernan Power Roche can lead home the professionals on Pertemps Network Final tip D ART D ART (2.40).
The chestnut was unlucky to be collared by a Sean Bowen-inspired winner at Carlisle when warming up for this 26-runner handicap.
Effectively from the same mark with his jockey’s 5lb allowance knocked off, Tom Cooper’s progressive young horse has more to offer as a stayer.
FACT TO FILE (3.20) is one less rival for Gold Cup titan Galopin Des Champs tomorrow and goes in the Ryanair Chase instead.
Several recent Grade One clashes with his Mullins-trained stamina-laden stablemate have come as a shock to the system.
But he passed his Cheltenham assignment last year and is expected to use course know-how to inflict defeat on Il Est Francais and the rest.
Gavin Cromwell has hit the crossbar on several occasions this week, but THECOMPANYSERGEANT (4.40) is tipped to change his luck in the TrustATrader Plate.
Not with his stable for long, the son of Kayf Tara kept his mark in check with a hurdles outing and Conor Stone-Walsh’s 3lb comes in handy.
Leading Irish amateur Barry O’Neill is a positive booking for stablemate MINT BOY (5.20) in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Chase.
Competing at distances too short of late, the seven-year-old was an instant hit at three miles in a handicap hurdle and my selection can do the same in this sphere.
Cheltenham
1.20 Karoline Banbou (nap)
2.00 Nurburgring
2.40 D Art D Art
3.20 Fact To File (nb)
4.00 Rocky’s Diamond
4.40 Thecompanysergeant
5.20 Mint Boy (treble)