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Cheltenham Day 3 - part II

Finishing off the card for Thursday...

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MAGNERS PLATE

Marvel de Cerisy is a lightly-raced chaser trained by Henry de Bromhead who obviously has a high opinion of him, judging by his SPs each start. He never got going last time but looked like he had plenty up his sleeve winning at Punchestown the time before. Just looks the type to take a massive step up on the big stage.

War Lord found the pace too tough last season in the Grade 1s so has dropped down to a nice mark for handicapping. He gave the winner 22lb last time at Wetherby, beaten 5.5L, and that winner, Gemirande, then went on to just get nosed out in the Greatwood. Right in this at a nice price.

Midnight River won nicely here on New Year's Day (new course) but is right up in the weights now.  Mars Harper has been running well without winning in decent handicaps in Ireland, you could just imagine Gordon Elliott applying those final touches to tune him up a bit better and be right in this.

A plethora of chances in a tough race. Anything owned by McManus is flying this week so beware of So Scottish but I'd rather look for a price.

WAR LORD (ew 22/1), Mars Harper (ew 33/1), Marvel de Cerisy, Midnight River, Seddon

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JACK DE BROMHEAD MARES' NOVICE

At first glance this should be a cakewalk for Luccia then you see that Nicky Henderson keeps missing the target in this race, including with Epatante who had very similar form to today's fav. And the favourites have to stop winning sometime.

Lot Of Joy has nice form on the Flat and over hurdles. Purchased out of Sweden, she went close in a couple of big Irish Flat handicaps during the summer, finishing just behind the high-class Echoes In Rain on both occasions, then ran close seconds in two maiden hurdles in big fields. Dropping back to mares' class, she bolted in at Fairyhouse with minimal effort, giving a taste of what's to come. She has a great shot here, a great EW bet as there's always that risk the fav might just be exceptional.

Jetara should give us a run at decent each-way odds, she's not missed a place in five runs this season and has form through some decent ones. She finished ahead of Halka Du Tabert last time but is double the price...

Youwearitwell is in great form but drops back three furlongs when she seemed to improve for the step up in trip. Or perhaps she just got better anyway.

LOT OF JOY (bet 6/1 ew), Jetara, Youwearitwell

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KIM MUIR

Not a fan of this race for the amateurs, will be finishing off the form for Friday.


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