Who To Follow On Day Three Of The 2023 Cheltenham Festival

James Mackie | @JMackieRacing

Cheltenham - March 16 2023
Cheltenham 13:30
6
Davy Russell

Mighty Potter

J: Davy Russell
T: Gordon Elliott
N/A
Age: 6
Weight: 11-7
OR: 162
Days: 39

A superstar for connections and trainer Gordon Elliott, being a smart novice hurdler last season when landing the Grade One Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse and although running no race when pulled up in the Supreme he got back to form in a big way at the Punchestown festival when landing a second Grade One the Champion Novice Hurdle.

Sent chasing this season and he has turned into an even better animal, maturing for being a year older and has brushed aside his rivals on all three of his runs.Making his chase debut at Down Royal in November he made a few mistakes which would have taught him a lot but he still won well.

Sent to Fairyhouse in the Grade One Drinmore Novice Chase he jumped better still making a few errors but dominated at the finish revelling in the distance and soft ground.

Making it 3/3 over fences when last seen at the DRF putting up one of the performances of the week he bounded clear of Adamantly Chosen to win by close to nine lengths.

He is the best horse in this division and with the ground on the soft side he should go close again.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
09/04/23FAI20Y/Sft11-10F
16/03/23CHL20Sft11-73
05/02/23LEO21Y11-101
04/12/22FAI20Sft11-121
04/11/22DRO19.5Y/Sft11-121

Trainer To Follow - Gordon Elliott

Gordon Elliott could have a good day on the third day of the festival with some big chances in the Grade One events starting with Mighty Potter in the Turners who has been labelled as one of the bankers of the festival for many.

In the Grade One Brown Advisory Novices' Chase Gerri Colombe will be looking win for favourite backers and extend his record to 8/8 under rules.

Elliott always sends a strong team in the Pertemps and his best chances this year look to come from Maxxum, The Bosses Oscar and Salvador Ziggy.

In the Ryanair Chase Fury Road put up a superb effort last time out in the Irish Gold Cup and dropping back in trip having not stayed the three miles he can go close.

Teahupoo is the second favourite for the Stayers Hurdle and has a big chance if the rain falls on Wednesday evening and could go off favourite. The yard also have Sire Du Berlais.

Elliott will be looking for a big priced winner in the Plate Handicap Chase with Mars Harper who is well handicapped in this field and Escaria Ten holds some classy form over further.

In the Mares Novices' Hurdle Halka Du Tabert has a big chance at a double figure price to hit the frame and Shecouldbeanything will also be looking to fill the places.

Finally, Elliott has Dunboyne, Punitive, Ballykell and Defi Bleu in the Kim Muir Handicap Chase and the trainer has done well in this race before.

Jockey To Follow - Davy Russell

Davy Russell back out of retirement and probably racing in his final Cheltenham festival and on Thursday he has some big chances.

In the opener he sits on Mighty Potter who is looking to make it 4/4 over fences and land a fifth Grade One of his career.

In the Pertemps he has been given the ride on Maxxum who looks to hold a strong chance if being able to give weight away to the field.

Russell then sits in Fury Road in the Ryanair Chase and holds big place credentials if running his race and arguably his best chance of the day comes in the Stayers' Hurdle with Teahupoo having a big chance to go close.

The experienced rider sits on Halka Du Tabert in the Mares' Novices' Hurdle with the mare holding big potential.