Live Blog
THE CHELTENHAM Festival is rolling on at pace as we welcome St Patrick's Day Thursday on Day 3.
While it was non-stop rain on Day 2 - with horses such as the 2.10 FAV Bravemansgame pulled out because of the conditions - it is GLORIOUS sunshine today.
And we now know the CONFIRMED runners and riders for the prestigious Gold Cup, with the declarations made.
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Coole Cody wins the Plate
He looks like he just joined the race coming to the last.
Coole Cody powering up the hill!
4.10 Paddy Power Plate
Coole Cody sticking on excpetionally well.
Ah, he's actually kicking on again after taking the lead again!
He takes the last fence with a two-length lead and that lead grows!
COOLE CODY flying up the hill as he loves to do here and he runs away with the Paddy Power Plate!
4.10 Paddy Power Plate
Imperial Alcazar and Slate House a length clear, Coole Cody sticking on on the outside.
Coole Cody actually coming back and sticking on really well over the last.
4.10 Paddy Power Plate
Coole Cody concedes his lead as Imperial Alcazar and Slate House move on at the turn.
The pair take two out in tandem as Spiritofthegames and The Glancing Queen try to charge.
4.10 Paddy Power Plate
Wishing And Hoping pulled up.
The Glancing Queen and Spiritofthegames in behind the leading pair.
Coole Cody and Slate House leading it, with Imperial Alcazar out wide.
4.10 Paddy Power Plate
The whole field still traveling going by the stands and approaching halfway.
Coole Cody still takes them along, Imperial Alcazar moving well just in behind.
Spiritofthegames in fourth and moving along well.
4.10 Paddy Power Plate
THEY'RE OFF!
Coole Cody into his customary lead.
4.10 Paddy Power Plate
At the two-and-a-half mile start.
The starter ready to send them off.
Tip time!
They head to post for the Plate and here is where our men have laid their bets.
Templegate: IMPERIAL ALCAZAR was impressive when winning here in January. He put in much the best jumping performance of his career and had lots left in the tank over this trip.
Matt: SPIRITOFTHEGAMES will be huge odds for the 4.10 but might sneak into the frame.
I tipped him up each-way last time when he was a fine third at Cheltenham at decent odds and he loves this track.
4.10 Paddy Power Plate
A messy one here as plenty of non-runners.
Here's the line-up:
Celebre D’Allen – 7/2
The Glancing Queen – 4/1
Imperial Alcazar – 9/2
Grand Paradis – 7/1
Spiritofthegames - 14/1
Stolen Silver – 18/1
Coole Cody – 25/1
Cavalry Master – 28/1
Slate House – 33/1
Chinwag – 40/1
Wishing and Hoping – 40/1
Hardline – 50/1
Born By The Sea – 80/1
Fire Away – 80/1
*Oddschecker odds
Squeaky bum time
Still three to go today and we'll build up to the 4.10 in two seconds.
But how would YOUR nerve be.
One punter waiting on the 13/8 favourite in the 4.50 for £39,000 off a £29.50 bet.
Incredible antepost work and fingers crossed for them.
3.30 Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle
FULL RESULT
1st - Flooring Porter 4/1
2nd - Thyme Hill 11/2
3rd - Paisley Park 17/2
Flooring Porter wins the Stayers’ Hurdle
Danny Mullins has been held aloft on the shoulders of some of the syndicate of Flooring Porter!
Crazy scenes!
Flooring Porter wins the Stayers’ Hurdle
And here how he did it up the run-in.
A superb ride from Danny Mullins from the front.
Just look at where Paisley Park finished from.
Flooring Porter wins the Stayers’ Hurdle
A superb ride from Danny Mullins. Worries about the horse's attitude and quirkiness, well put to bed.
A great performance from the front.
Aidan Coleman doing well to get Paisley Park from miles away to storming home for second.
3.30 Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle
Flooring Porter has enough in the tank.
Paisley Park flying into the places but running out of time....
But FLOORING PORTER didn't see another rival and wins the Stayers' Hurdle!
3.30 Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle
Flooring Porter with a length lead with FOUR chasing heading to the last.
He's over and with a good lead but Paisley Park and Thyme Hill staying on well!
3.30 Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle
Seven lengths covers them over the second last!
Flooring Porter still moving well but Klassical Dream and Champ also moving really well.
3.30 Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle
Well bunched going over three out as Paisley Park being pushed along a bit.
Champ and Klassical Dream cruising.
Flooring Porter still with a length lead.
3.30 Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle
Away on their final circuit to a big cheer from the crowd.
No change really but Thyme Hill loses a couple of places on that turn.
Flooring Porter four lengths clear.
3.30 Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle
Flooring Porter taking them along and a couple clear after the first couple of flights.
Royal Kahala and Lisnagar Oscar next.
Champ in midfield with Thyme Hill.
Paisley Park and Klassical Dream at the rear.
3.30 Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle
THEY'RE OFF!
Klassical Dream held them up slightly there and brings up the rear.
Three miles ahead.
3.30 Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle
This'll be interesting at the start, a few quirky lads in here.
But we are down at the start and ready to go.
Emotional winner?
Peter Fahey's Born Patriot continues to receive treatment.
The trainer actually isn't here at Cheltenham today after flying home following the passing of his mother last night, unexpectedly.
A truly horrific time for the Fahey family and our thoughts very much with them after an unimaginable 24 hours.
He actually has Royal Kahala in the feature on the way and has been backed in to 11/2 from 8/1. Wouldn't that be nice!
Tip time!
Chappers is 2 from 3 so far today with Galopin Des Champs' fall in the first the only dent in his day.
Here's where the money goes in the next - as they follow one another again.
Templegate: THYME HILL (Nap) can take the next step and become the Stayers’ Hurdle champion. Philip Hobbs’ eight-year-old has been aimed at this race all season and has already held his own at Grade 1 level thanks to his Aintree victory in April.
Matt Chapman: I've long though Thyme Hill is the one for the Day Three feature, under the excellent Tom O’Brien. The Aintree winner was fourth to Monkfish in the 2020 Albert Bartlett and should have won that day as Richard Johnson had a bit of a shocker. This season Thyme Hill returned with a poor run in France and then a fine second to Champ in the Long Walk.
