Izzy Phillips: Cheltenham Festival Day 3

Jonbon Can Break his Curse

2:00 Cheltenham

Novices’ Handicap Chase

Selection: Jordans Cross

Anthony Honeyball is in decent form and Jordans Cross looks like an improving horse. He runs here off a nice weight and appears to be progressing with each run. He had to battle hard last time against Quebecois at Cheltenham, which gives him valuable course-winning form. Quebecois has since franked that form with a strong run in the Ultima, which adds further substance to the performance. He should have no concerns with the drying conditions at Cheltenham and, if continuing his upward trajectory, he looks capable of being competitive again here.

2:00 Cheltenham - Jordans Cross @9/1

2:40 Cheltenham

Mares’ Hurdle

Selection: Wodhooh

Arguably the banker of the Festival. She doesn’t appear to be facing anything here that can get close to her on current form. Over hurdles she has only been beaten by Lossiemouth, and that form was franked nicely when Lossiemouth asserted her dominance in the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday. She’s a short price but fully deserving of it, and if she runs to her usual level it’s hard to see anything troubling her. It almost feels as though she has already passed the post in front.

2:40 Cheltenham - Wodhooh @4/5

4:00 Cheltenham

Ryanair Chase

Selection: Jonbon

I love Jonbon. He’s still without a Cheltenham Festival win and this is a great chance. He’s such a consistent horse with a great record. He proved he has the heart to stay last time out at Ascot. Pic D’Orhy served it up to him and he still stayed on strongly to win. I hope he can finally break his Cheltenham curse.

4:00 Cheltenham - Jonbon @8/1

(*Odds accurate at time of publishing)