Home By The Lee has plenty of Staying power WRIGHT’S TIPS Energumene proves to be a real Champion once again
HOME BY THE LEE can win the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (3.30pm) on day three.
Joseph O’Brien’s eight-year-old finished sixth in last year’s Stayers’ Hurdle last year as fellow Irish raider – the Gavin Cromwell-trained Flooring Porter – landed back-to-back victories in fine style.
That was his first run at Grade One level over hurdles following some promising efforts after connections decided to drop back to the smaller obstacles after a chasing career didn’t pan out as hoped. Home By The Lee has gone from strength to strength this season and he took the Grade Two Lismussen Hurdle at Navan on his seasonal return in November.
He was even better stepped back up to Grade One company when winning the Grade One Jack De Bromhead Christmas Hurdle by three lengths from Ashdale Bob – with Flooring Porter well beaten back in fourth.
The latter will no doubt be better returning to Cheltenham, where he has shone over the past two seasons, but Home By The Lee looks on the up and can deny a hat-trick of victories.
CODE ISSUED BEFORE 17:00 ON 17/03/23
Uber or Uber Eats Offer: Opt in. Cheltenham win or E/W multiples of £10+ (1/2+ per leg) on any races taking place on 16/03/23. Bets placed after 17:30 15/03/23 only. Specials, boosts and ‘other markets’ excluded. Unique code sent to Betfred Inbox before 17:00 17/03/23. Must be claimed by 23/03/23 and used in the Uber/Uber Eats app by 25/03/23.
Full T&Cs apply - see Betfred.com for details. Betfred rules apply.*
Cheltenham would welcome Emma Lavelle’s now veteran Paisley Park rolling back the years and landing another Stayers’ Hurdle crown. And the now 11-year-old – who was third last year – has shown he’s no back number this season, winning the Grade One Long Walk Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day.
But he may play a minor role again as Home By The Lee looks to hold a big chance of victory.
Gordon Elliott’s MIGHTY POTTER can make it five wins from five starts in the Grade One Turners Novices’ Chase (Registered As The Golden Miller) (GBB Race) (1.30pm).
The six-year-old won a Grade One at the Punchestown Festival on his final start over the smaller obstacles and has three straight successes since his switch to fences, including back-toback Grade One victories at Fairyhouse and at the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown at the start of last month. He looks sure to follow up at Prestbury Park.
Last year’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle hero, Willie Mullins’ Appreciate It, rates the chief danger.
SHISKIN may prove too good in the Grade One Ryanair Chase (Registered
CHELTENHAM – DAY THREE 1.30pm Mighty Potter 2.10pm Shishkin
2.50pm Wakool (NAP) 3.30pm Home By The Lee 4.10pm Midnight River 4.50pm Luccia
5.30pm Dunboyne
As The Festival Trophy) (GBB Race) (2.50pm).
He landed a superb back-to-form success when up in trip to 2m5f for the first time in the rearranged Grade One Clarence House Chase over course and distance at the end of January.
He sets the standard and with such a dominant effort last time, he deserves to be a warm favourite for another success at Cheltenham.
WAKOOL can cause a bit of a shock in the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (2.10pm).
Nick Alexander’s seven-year-old stayed on strongly to win the Grade Two Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock Park last month. He remains open to more improvement and can go close.
ENERGUMENE made it back-to-back wins, romping home in the Queen Mother Champion Chase – and in doing so cost me a small fortune.
It could, however, have been so much worse for us at Betfred if Britain’s great hope Edwardstone had been able to wrestle some glory from the Irish.
Energumene, who started as favourite after heavy late wagers, was brilliant, destroying the high-calibre field so I’m left to pay out with a smile.
My losses on that race alone will run into six figures and it’s another day for the punters in the battle with us bookies at the halfway stage of the festival.
Today is St Patrick’s Thursday and the Irish are in great spirits... and not just this year! They look to have a strong hand in the Stayer’s Hurdle once again and I’m sure that will be heading back over to the Emerald Isle.
In fact, they could easily make it a clean sweep again, with only Shishkin in the Ryanair worthy of British banker status – and remember, he’s the last leg of the Betfred TV Preview
Show Treble I boosted on Sunday after Constitution Hill and Gaillard Du Mesnil did the business on Tuesday.
Shishkin has already cost me plenty this season. I was at Haydock when watching him win the Ascot Chase with ease last month having boosted him that morning. Come to think of it, I may watch today’s action from behind the sofa!
Then again, maybe my brother could do me a favour.
He has a share in Hitman along with Sir Alex Ferguson and Ged Mason and I hope he goes well for them. Il Ridoto in the Plate at 4.10pm is also owned by Ged.