'He should take a big step forward' - Harry Wilson looks to follow up a 15-2 strike with tips for every race on day three at the Cheltenham Festival

Harry Wilson returns with his advice for all seven races on day three of the Cheltenham Festival on Thursday . . .

1.20 Cheltenham
Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2), 2m1f

Harry's tip: Sixandahalf

Galileo Dame’s run behind Hello Neighbour is good form and she is dangerous armed with her 10lb four-year-old allowance, but Sixandahalf looked exciting when winning easily on her hurdling debut. She jumped quickly and accurately that day before scorching 12 lengths clear. Her bumper form is incredibly strong too, with her Naas defeat on soft enough ground last March coming to a subsequent Listed and Grade 3 winner, while she had Colcannon, who has won a Grade 2 since, 11 lengths behind at Punchestown in April. She's useful on the Flat (rated 94) and could be special over jumps.

Sixandahalf13:20 Cheltenham

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Jky: Keith Donoghue Tnr: Gavin Cromwell

2.00 Cheltenham
Jack Richards Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2), 2m4½f

Harry's tip: Springwell Bay

Moon D’Orange needed a lot of rousting along but won well over course and distance last time and is respected off 6lb higher, while Pic Roc is weighted to go close now dropped back in trip, but Springwell Bay can defy top weight. His chasing debut win has worked out very well, with the runner-up now rated 142 after bolting up in a handicap and the third (145) landing a Grade 2 since, while his second here in December was well advertised when winner Jango Baie landed Tuesday's Arkle. He showed an impressive turn of foot when romping home in a course-and-distance handicap in January and should have no problem coping with a 9lb rise.

Springwell Bay14:00 Cheltenham

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Jky: Jonjo O'Neill Jr Tnr: Jonjo & A J O'Neill

2.40 Cheltenham
Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle, 3m

Harry's tip: D Art D Art

Jeriko Du Reponet has always had a certain amount of hype around him, and he was given a considered ride to qualify for this at Exeter last month. He could be better than his handicap mark, but he has to prove he stays, so preference is for D Art D Art, who has been much improved as his stamina has been drawn out. He was third in a Navan handicap that has worked out well, with the second winning a good chase next time and the fourth chasing home Will The Wise since, before producing a big career best when qualifying for this over 3m1f at Carlisle last time. He had subsequent Grade 2 winner Gwennie May Boy back in third that day and, given he is likely to benefit from getting back on better ground, he should go well for a trainer who has done well when sending runners to the festival.

D Art D Art14:40 Cheltenham

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Jky: Tiernan Power Roche (5lb)Tnr: Thomas Cooper

3.20 Cheltenham
Ryanair Chase (Grade 1), 2m4½f

Harry's tip: Protektorat

Il Est Francais adds intrigue to this race, but I’m not sure how suitable this track is for him and he could set up things perfectly for last year’s winner Protektorat. He was strongest up the hill to beat Envoi Allen 12 months ago, and arguably bettered that when a close third behind Jonbon at Aintree last April. He's had his season built around this race and looked better than ever when hacking up in the Fleur de Lys Chase at Windsor when last seen. He'll gallop all the way to the line and can hold off Fact To File, who has disappointed me this season but will likely prefer running over this intermediate trip.

Protektorat15:20 Cheltenham

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Jky: Harry Skelton Tnr: Dan Skelton

4.00 Cheltenham
Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle (Grade 1), 3m

Harry's tip: Lucky Place

Teahupoo is the standout on the figures, but he looked laboured in the Hatton’s Grace on his reappearance and would probably want softer ground. Home By The Lee has looked better than ever this season and is probably the pick of the Irish, but Lucky Place is unexposed and could be even better over this trip. He was no stronger than at the line when fourth in the Coral Cup at last season's festival and has bettered that with two wins this term, getting the better of Champion Hurdle winner Golden Ace on both occasions, including when proving too strong on the run-in for subsequent Cleeve Hurdle winner Gowel Road here in January. He acts well on the course and is one of the more unexposed in the field.

Lucky Place16:00 Cheltenham

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Jky: Nico de Boinville Tnr: Nicky Henderson

4.40 Cheltenham
TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase, 2m4½f

Harry's tip: Conflated

Jagwar was mightily impressive when winning a strong novice handicap contest over course and distance on Trials day and likely has enough ability to deal with a 7lb rise, but I can’t help but be drawn to Conflated. He hasn’t shown a great deal this season, but his best form in the last 12 months has come on his two attempts at this sort of trip, including running Jonbon to a length and a quarter in last season's Melling Chase. He produced a Racing Post Rating of 170 that day and a repeat of that, or his Ryanair Chase third the start before, would make him a serious player off a mark of 157, especially with Rob James taking a valuable 7lb off his welter burden. He goes well at this course and it would be no surprise to see him bounce back.

Conflated16:40 Cheltenham

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Jky: Mr R James (7lb)Tnr: Gordon Elliott

5.20 Cheltenham
Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Chase, 3m2f

Harry's tip: Mint Boy

Sa Majeste has performed well over staying trips this season and is a danger, as is Walking On Air, who came down when looking likely to win the Great Yorkshire Chase last time, but Gavin Cromwell won this with Gold Cup contender Inothewayurthinkin last year and, although probably not quite in the same league, Mint Boy looks to have been aimed at this. By far his best hurdles form came over 3m, but he's yet to tackle a proper staying trip over fences, although he’s shaped well in a couple of strong beginners’ chases in two of his four starts, notably finishing third behind the talented High Class Hero last time. He shapes like an out-and-out stayer and should take a big step forward now handicapping. He has a good jockey on board in Barry O’Neill, too.

Mint Boy17:20 Cheltenham

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Jky: Mr B O'Neill Tnr: Gavin Cromwell

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