I fancy this British trainer to have THREE winners at Cheltenham Festival on Thursday

9 months ago 72

I’M feeling like a real party pooper on St Patrick’s Day Thursday at the Festival.

I hope a British trainer can ruin the fun for the thousands of Irish punters heading to Cheltenham and enjoying the sport on the TV.

Chappers is predicting a winner for Sir Alex on day three of Cheltenham[/caption]

My theory is today’s action will forever be known as ‘Skelton Day’, because I’m praying the brothers, namely trainer Dan and former champion jockey Harry, can dominate the card.

And no, I’ve not gone totally mad but I actually fancy a British trainer to have THREE winners!

The two main events are the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle and Ryanair Chase, and it’s with the latter Grade 1 I want to begin.

The Skeltons rely on the Sir Alex Ferguson-owned PROTEKTORAT (2.50) — who sometimes has trouble with his breathing but when on song is high class and has a cracking chance.

Rated 165, Protektorat is bang in the mix with that handicap mark and he’s not been disgraced behind class acts Shishkin and L’Homme Presse this term.

The mud will help him and, at his best, he really is up to winning this.

Remember he was fifth in last year’s Gold Cup, not far behind Conflated who also goes in this for the sponsors.

Day Three gets under way with the Grade 1 Turners Novices’ Chase over two and a half miles.

Now the mud has come I’m with another Skelton hope in GREY DAWNING (1.30).

This Desert Orchid look alike has always had plenty of talent and looked good as a hurdler at Warwick in heavy ground.

He was back at that track last time when hacking up from Apple Away and he looks primed to run a huge one here in conditions that will bring his stamina to play.

I think he can reverse December Cheltenham form with Ginny’s Destiny where he was giving him 3lb.

Next up is a big betting race in the Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle over three miles.

Could LE MILOS (2.10) be well handicapped and another one for the Skeltons?

Yes, he can. He’s on 142 here and was second at Kelso in a chase in March last year off 152.

Remember this is a horse who has won in heavy and won the race once known as the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury.

He stays and could well surprise a few at good odds.

If those three go in we’ll be singing Rule Britannia and the Irish will be drowing in their Guinness!

Oddly enough when it comes to the Grade 1 Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle I’m also staying with the home team. He must be mad, I hear you say!

It is a cracking field and one of the races of the meeting.

I like the improving CRAMBO (3.30) for Fergal O’Brien and Jonathan Burke.

My selection should be unbeaten this season — having been unlucky when third at Haydock.

Since then he has defeated Paisley Park at Ascot but, most importantly, is back on wet ground which he hasn’t had since loving heavy at Sandown in March last year.

He’s got a cracking chance to break Fergal O’Brien’s Festival duck.

In the Plate Handicap I’m going for yet another British winner and hoping Harry Redknapp gets a result with SHAKEM UP’ARRY (4.10), who loves soft ground and the track.

I’m letting the Irish have the last two though!

The Grade 2 Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle is at the mercy of BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD (4.50). She is the apple of trainer Gordon Elliott’s eye and looks very special indeed, jumping for fun last time at Navan.

Main man Jack Kennedy is on top and that’s a big plus.

Today closes with the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup.

AMIRITE (5.30) is fine in soft ground and is not in bad form so the pin falls on him for Henry De Bromhead and useful 3lb conditional Noel McParlan.

Good luck and Yeeehaaa!