The third day of the 2011 Cheltenham Festival includes the Ladbrokes World Hurdle, where Grands Crus will be looking to topple Big Buck’s
Punters got off to a good start when favourite Chicago Grey won the National Hunt Chase. It was, however, downhill from there for favourite backers with the gambled upon So Young only finishing third in the Neptune.
Time For Rupert never got going in the RSA Chase, which was won by 16/1 shot Bostons Angel, while Sizing Europe beat both Big Zeb and Master Minded in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Another 16/1 chance, Carlito Brigante won the Coral Cup before What A Charm made it six wins from six races for Ireland in the Fred Winter. A clean sweep for the Emerald Isle was, however, stopped by the aptly named Cheltenian took the Champion Bumper.
Thursday’s card represents an opportunity for punters to get back on top with the Phillip Hobbs trained Wishfull Thinking strongly fancied in the opener, the Jewson Novices’ Chase.
The Ryanair Chase at 14:40 promises to be a fiercely contested affair, with Poquelin, Kalahari King and Albertas Run all strong contenders for the day’s first big race.
The highlight on Day Three, however, is the Ladbrokes World Hurdle. Big Bucks can make history by winning the race for the third consecutive year but Paul Nicholls superstar will have to be at his best to beat off the young pretender, Grand Crus.
Race of the Day
The race of the day on Thursday is the Ladbrokes World Hurdle which sees the 2009 and 2010 winner Big Bucks taking on the impressive Grand Crus. It promises to be an epic encounter and could be a race that goes down in history.
Promotion of the Day
Paddy Power’s
Ruby Thursday promotion looks a cracker. The Irish firm are offering to refund all win bets that come second to a Ruby Walsh ridden winner on Day Three and with the popular jockey in top form, that looks like cracking value.
Banker of the Day
Time For Rupert was a massive disappointment on Wednesday but there should be no such problems with Big Bucks in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle. The 2009 and 2010 champion is unbeaten in his last 10 starts and should be too good once again on Thursday.
Free Bet of the Day
Paddy Power have joined forces with Bettingpro to offer readers an exclusive £100 in free bets on the Cheltenham Festival.
Channel 4/1+ Offer
If you back a winner at odds of 4/1 in any race being shown live on channel 4 then
bet365 will give you a free bet of the same stake on the next race.
Thursday Yankee Selections
Victor Chandler are offering cashback if you get one selection wrong in your Yankee and we are kicking off with these four horses:
13:30 – Wishful Thinking
14:40 - Poquelin
15:20 – Big Bucks
16:00 – Aigle D’Or
Racecards at Bettingpro
Cheltenham 13:30 Jewson Novices’ Chase
Cheltenham 14:05 Pertemps Final
Cheltenham 14:40 Ryanair Chase
Cheltenham 15:20 Ladbrokes World Hurdle
Cheltenham 16:00 Byrne Group Plate
Cheltenham 16:40 Kim Muir Challenge Cup
Cheltenham 17:15 St Patricks Day Derby
Competition update
Maria Runnalls, who won VIP tickets to Day One of the festival, courtesy of Bettingpro and
Stan James, was in contact to tell us how she enjoyed her day of hospitality.
“Just wanted to say thanks for the hospitality prize. We had a lovely day and the box was amazing with fantastic views from the seat. The special guest was John Motson so, although i didn't get a photo of him it was lovely to be so close to a legend of sport.
“Thanks again - it made a really great start to my wedding week! However it did mean my fiancé and I can't resist going to gold cup day on Friday - even if it won't be the same not being in hospitality!! Just being there the day before our wedding will be great"
Bookmaker update
The bookmakers enjoyed huge success on Day Two of the Cheltenham Festival and they are passing that on to punters with some fabulous promotions and bonus offers on Thursday’s racing.
Leading Irish bookie Boylesports are back with a series of fantastic promotions on Thursday. The firm are promising to be top price on Kalahari King in the Ryanair Chase and are also paying the top five finishers on both the Kim Muir Challenge Cup and the Pertemps Final
Paddy will have enjoyed the Irish winners on Day Two and he is celebrating in style by offering to refund all losing bets in the first four races on Thursday if your pick comes second to a Ruby Walsh ridden winner.
The Bonus King also laid Cue Card in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle but Fred loves to give back to punters and as well as enhanced place odds he is also offering bonuses on all Lucky 15, Yankee and Heinz bets, of up to 200% on all winnings.
A great bookmaker for the Cheltenham Festival, thanks to their Best Odds Guaranteed commitment, Channel 4/1 offer and the chance to watch every race live at the bet365 site. There is also up to £200 in free bets when you sign up.
In addition to an exclusive £50 sign-up bonus, Victor Chandler also have lots of Cheltenham promotions including Free Fall (stakes refunded if your horse falls) and Yankee cashback (where you'll get a refund if you get one selection incorrect). You can also watch every Cheltenham race live at the Victor Chandler site.
Stan James are offering all customers a £25 sign-up bonus throughout the Cheltenham Festival and will be running daily promotions and 'Best Price Guarantees' on the feature races.
Back a winner at 5/1 or bigger on any live Channel 4 race at the Cheltenham Festival and Totesport will match your winning stake with a free bet (up to £25) to use the following day.
Ladbrokes has rolled out a £50, £50, £50 cash match offer making £150 extra Cheltenham bankroll. Even if you don't bet on horses consider opening a Ladbrokes account this week as offers don't come more generous than this!
As well as offering all new customers a £25 sign-up bonus, Hills are also promising to be industry best price on a number of favourites each day at Racing HQ. On Wednesday they are offering 4/1 on Poquelin in the Ryainair Chase and are also 4/1 on Grand Crus in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle
