The 2021 Cheltenham Festival: race-by-race guide to day three and Placepot

Andy Stephens believes Kim Bailey and David Bass could be in for a dream day plus thinks a couple at big odds are worth a second look.

The imperious ENVOI ALLEN, unbeaten in 11 starts under Rules, is difficult to oppose in his quest for a third successive Festival success. A feature of his three wins over fences this term has been his athletic jumping and he’s yet to be seriously tested. The one niggle, for those prepared to play at short odds, is whether his recent switch of stables has affected him but Henry de Bromhead says he has settled into his new surroundings with no bother. Shan Blue’s jumping has been a joy but he was unable to fend off Sporting John in the Scilly Isles at Sandown last time and that horse is not even running here. Chantry House, third in the Supreme last year, won smoothly at Wetherby last time and makes more appeal than Fusil Raffles, his stablemate. Chatham Street Lad was a runaway winner of the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup in December but this demands more.

Tip: Envoi Allen

The Gordon Elliott stable has won the past three renewals and THE BOSSES OSCAR makes plenty of appeal. He’s looked a likely sort for this since his eye-catching fifth in the Martin Pipe last year and, while he’s 13lb higher, has continued to progress. He also arrives fresh, having been off since his narrow defeat at the hands of Dandy Mag at Leopardstown over Christmas. Imperial Alcazar and Come On Teddy were first and third, respectively, in the Warwick qualifier in January, and command respect, while Brinkley is progressive. The JP McManus-owned Champagne Platinum is priced up defensively but is a potential improver.

Tip: The Bosses Oscar

An open renewal in which IMPERIAL AURA gets the nod. He realised a long-time plan for Kim Bailey when winning the novices’ handicap chase at the Festival last year and has picked up from where he left off this term, having Real Steel behind when scoring in fine style at Ascot in November. He was an early casualty at Kempton last time but is a sound jumper and remains capable of better. Min and Saint Calvados fought out a stirring finish to last year’s renewal but, like Imperial Aura, failed to complete last time. Melon had Mister Fisher behind when runner-up in the Marsh Chase last year but has been beaten in all 15 Grade One contests he has contested. Allaho ticks several boxes and cannot be left out of calculations, while Tornado Flyer is a big price for a horse who shook up Min in the John Durkan. Fakir D'Oudairies and Samcro, who is 2-2 at the festival, add spice to what should be a cracker.

Tip: Imperial Aura

Paisley Park dug deep to beat Thyme Hill by a neck in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot last time with Roksana (third) and Younevercall (fourth). He should make a bold bid to regain his crown but I imagine Younevercall being beaten only seven length in that contest helped connections of his stablemate, VINNDICATION, make the decision to belatedly switch him back to hurdling because he’s almost certainly blessed with much more ability. It’s amazing he’s reached a chase mark of 161 given the fences have got in his way so often and, before that, he had won each of his three hurdle races. Linsnigar Oscar defends his crown and was back to form at Haydock last time. Sire Du Berlais, winner of the Pertemps for the past two years, deserves his crack at this, but his stablemate Fury Road, third in the Albert Bartlett 12 months ago, has not gone to the next level. Flooring Porter and The Storyteller have each excelled this term and add further depth.

Tip: Vinndication

Irish-trained horses dominate the market but MISTER WHITAKER may spoil their party. He won at the Festival in 2018 and confirmed he has a soft spot for the track when a close third in this last year off a 2lb higher mark. It looks like he’s again been trained for the day as his run at Warwick last month was only his second of the campaign. I imagine his connections were delighted to see him eased 2lb as he shaped encouragingly in a competitive race under considerate handling on a track that's not really for him. Farclas has solid form claims, while The Shunter lines up chasing a £100,000 bonus for his connections after winning at kelso last time. He had five options at the meeting. A Wave Of The Sea has age on his side and won a similarly competitive race last time, and then there are the likes of Old Grangewood, Happy Diva and Eamon An Cnoc - all horses who have run well at the festival before.

Tip: Mister Whitaker

The race which holds the key to this is the Solerina Mares’ Hurdle at Fairyhouse last month win which Roseys Hollow upped her game to beat Royal Kahala (now 9lb better off) with Gauloise third and Mighty Blue fourth. ROYAL KAHALA is weighted to come out on top this time and her previous five-length defeat of Hook Up (now 2lb worse off) at the same track in January also reads well with that rival subsequently finishing a good fourth to Appreciate It at Leopardstown. Moreover, the New Course will play to her strengths as stamina looks her forte. Mighty Blue is worth a second look each-way as she was a useful stayer on the Flat, doesn't have much to find on form and may enjoy getting on some better ground.

Tip: Royal Kahala

Plenty of these have had their best days but MOUNT IDA, upped in trip for her first run in a handicap, is an exception. She’s unraced beyond 2m4f but her pedigree and style of racing suggests this will kind of test is just what she needs. She bumped into Colreevy last time but faces nothing of her calibre here. Hold The Note got back in the groove after a wind op last time and ran well at the meeting last year. Deise Aba and Shantou Flyer arrive in good heart, and don't rule out Cloudy Glen, who has his quirks but, on his best behaviour, would be an each-way player.

Tip: Mount Ida

Play the Placepot by clicking HERE18+ only - begambleaware.org

Perm of 24 lines (1x1x3x2x2x2)

Leg 1: 6. Envoi Allen

Leg 2: 1. The Bosses Oscar.

Leg 3: 6. Imperial Aura. 12. Saint Calvados. 1. Allaho

Leg 4: 14. Vinndication. 9. Paisley Park

Leg 5: 3. Mister Whitaker. 4. Farclas.

Leg 6: 13. Royal Kahala. 10. Mighty Blue

(*UK & ROI customers only. 18+. Place your first bet on sports pools and if it loses we’ll refund your stake in cash. Max refund is £10. Qualifying bet is the first sports pool bet added to the betslip. Ten to Follow bets do not qualify. Totewin will be the qualifying bet when a Totewin and a Toteplace bet are struck at the same time. Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleaware.org)