rest of Cheltenham: third day

the Card opens with the JLT Novice Chase over 2 1/2 miles at 14.30 CET with another Irish victory looking likely. Willie Mullins saddles two here, Valseur Lido (Bryan Cooper) and Vautour (Ruby Walsh) and it is difficult to choose between them, but the former was in fact just beaten last time by Apache Stronghold (Noel Meade/ Paul Carberry), so we make him the selection. The only Brit with a chance is probably P´tit Zig (Paul Nicholls/ Sam T-D), but he fell last time, which is always a bit of a downer.
The Ryanair Chase over slightly further at 15.40 is another very open race, but German-bred Don Cossack (Gordon Elliott/ Cooper) Looks cerzain to be involved. he is unbeaten in 4 starts this season and has become a really reliable Performer at this Level. The danger could be Ma Filleule (Henderson/ Geraghty) who can benefit from the mares´ allowance, while Foxrock (Ted Walsh/ Adrian Heskin) has been supplemented so mist be considered, while Ted´s son Ruby rides Ballycasey for Willie Mullins, who twice beat Don Cossack last year and is also not out of it. Daughter Katie rides her father´s Champagne James in the Kim Muir for amateur riders at 17.40 and he can make it a great day for the Walsh family.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Vautour - Ptit Zig - Valseur Lido
2. Race: Edeymi - Call The Cops - Regal Encore
3. Race: Don Cossack - Ma Filleule - Balder Succes
4. Race: Zarkandar - Saphir Du Rheu - Lieutenant Colonel
5. Race: Monetaire - Buywise - Un Ace
6. Race: Masters Hill - Gold Bullet - Grand Vision