Dave Massey is value hunting at Prestbury Park; read his exclusive Cheltenham Best Bets on Day ahead of The Stayers’ Hurdle.
Cheltenham Best Bets: Exclusive Day 3 Preview
Willie Mullins has a few potential prospects for this and according to the betting at least three with better chances than Future Prospect, but I do like one that’s been overlooked from Closutton and that might be the case with her.
Cheltenham Best Bets: Future Prospect (1.20)
It’s worth pointing out Future Prospect (1.20) was made favourite to beat her much more fancied stablemate Bambino Fever in a bumper at the 2025 DRF but disappointed; however, I’d say that was really her only poor bumper run and I’d forgive it. Particularly when she was so impressive on her hurdles debut, beating Newbrook Diamond easily in a good speed figure at Naas back in January, strong at the finish and she’ll have no problem whatsoever with either the extra furlong, or final hill. Not many from those in behind have run since but of those that have, three have been placed in decent novices, and it looks believable.
Cheltenham Best Bets: Jade de Grugy (2.40)
How do you play this, now? Once Lossiemouth decided to go to the Champion Hurdle this looked a penalty kick for Wodhooh. Then Gordon’s horses proceeded to run poorly, in the main, on Tuesday and as I write this, his form for the day read 5000PU20P0P. So, do you want to back Wodhooh at 8-11?
There’s no argument about her form. It’s the best in the race, and even when Gordon has his dreadful year last year she was the one ray of hope, winning the Martin Pipe from a mark of 141. Since then, she ran second to Lossiemouth at Aintree, and is 2-2 this season, winning at Ascot and Leopardstown. That puts her 4lb clear of Jade De Grugy on ratings, and if she runs to form she wins.
But, that Gordon Elliott form. It’s a massive worry. The temptation is just to lay her at around 4-5 and I can’t put you off that, or just back Jade De Grugy at 3-1, as she, in turn, is 5lb clear and more of the rest and by far the likeliest danger. Second to Lossiemouth in this last year, she’s run consistently well since then, her best performance at Punchestown and in three chase starts too. Back over hurdles today, she’s a Grade 1 winner that will have her ground and Willie Mullins had a far better Tuesday than Gordon did, with two winners on the board. She’ll do for me.
Cheltenham Best Bets: Ma Shantou (3.20)
I was wondering why connections, after winning a Pertemps Qualifier back in October, decided winning another valuable handicap at Cheltenham was the cleverest idea, with a mark for the final in mind, but it’s clear now that Ma Shantou was destined for better things. It was hard not to be impressed with the way he disposed of Impose Toi in the Cleeve Hurdle and that form may be underrated a little. His form stands up to close scrutiny, and Emma Lavelle knows exactly what it takes to win this. He’d be my back-up suggestion to Honesty Policy.
The 66-1 Doddiethegreat is worth a second look if you want an outsider; we know what he’ll run to, as he’s very consistent, and he’ll run to 148-150, which might be good enough for a minor placing. Last year’s Pertemps Final winner keeps performing to a good level in Graded company and first-time blinkers are a good option; he can outrun big odds.
Cheltenham Best Bets: Electric Mason (4.40)
Electric Mason had some very useful form as a novice and twice got within ten lengths of The New Lion, but was disappointing in the Martin Pipe, never getting into the race after being held up out the back which was not his usual running style. He showed that form to be all wrong when running Ma Shantou to 2¾ lengths in one of the first qualifiers for this back in October, only giving best in the very closing stages.
Off the back of that he beat Hartington in a very competitive Grade 3 handicap at Haydock that really couldn’t have worked out much better; the runner-up, third and fourth and sixth have all won good handicaps since and although the handicapper raised him 7lb for it to a mark of 139, in retrospect that doesn’t look enough. He’ll be kept fresh for this and looks to have a terrific chance, as long as his yard can turn around some pretty ropey recent stable form in time. A strong fancy.
Cheltenham Best Bets: Herakles Westwood (5.20)
Herakles Westwood was seventh in the National Hunt Chase last year (never put in the race in anger, stayed on) and he’s run well all three starts this season, second under Finny Maguire in the amateurs race here in October, a close fourth in another valuable Cheltenham handicap and then a really game win over Katate Dori here on New Years Day. An ideal type for this, he’d be my main pick, particularly after wind surgery.
Also catching my eye now some headgear returns is Weveallbeencaught, fourth in this last year and although beaten 13 lengths, he’d have got closer but for whamming the last. He looked booked for a midfield finish off the home turn but stayed on strongly all the way to the line. Only a pound higher this time around, two good efforts in the autumn show the engine is still intact; on go the cheekpieces (headgear has been missing so far this season) and a better effort wouldn’t surprise me.
By Dave Massey
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