Mares’ Novices Hurdle – Cheltenham 2017 Day Three Tips

You get the impression that if the Willie Mullins’ team had to give over one nap of the meeting then Let’s Dance could be it.

Let’s Dance
The regard they hold her in this season is extremely high and the fact that she is a highly rated second season novice is going to make her very hard to beat in the Mares’ Novices Hurdle.

Last season she was campaigned in the best juvenile company but didn’t manage to get off the mark and thus went to Sligo to open her account at odds of 1/12. She has been odds on for her three runs since and has taken each of them in her stride.

There’s probably no doubt that she will be better over further than this 2m1f trip next Thursday but she looks to be in a league of her own compared to these rivals.

That said, she has now been backed into Evens with BoyleSports following more heavy support this week and therefore you need to be looking for an each-way alternative.

Each-Way Value
For that, look no further than Jessica Harrington. Forge Meadow was an impressive winner at Naas last month and although that was a career best effort, she did run better than the bare form suggests in a couple of her previous efforts.

However, she is coming in here on the back of a very good performance and even last season in her bumper at Punchestown she was only three lengths off Augusta Kate which is another decent run.

At 6/1, punters may just prefer to take an each-way punt in this race than go Evens about the favourite.

Of course, depending on how the first few days go for the Mullins team, that Evens could be much shorter if they bang in the winners on day one or two, or the bookmakers may be out to get Let’s Dance if Mullins has a trying couple of days. Forge Meadow’s 6/1 looks solid enough.

Recommended Bet:
Forge Meadow EW (6/1)

*Prices correct at time of publication