Cheltenham Festival NAP: Paul Kealy with his best bet of the day on Thursday

D Art D Art

2.40 Cheltenham

In the Pertemps Final (2.40), I really do like the chances of D Art D Art for Thomas Cooper, who boasts five top-four finishers from his ten runners at the festival since 2009.

D Art D Art isn't one of them as he was tailed off in the bumper two years ago, but the fact Cooper was prepared to run him as an 80-1 shot is interesting enough (he was his first runner for several years) and after a quiet first season over hurdles, he has really taken off this term.

Off the mark three starts ago at Punchestown, he was then third of 23 in a Navan handicap that has worked out very well (second won a good chase next time, fourth was second to this race's second favourite Will The Wise in a Pertemps qualifier last month).

He then qualified for this race with a second at Carlisle when he did everything but win. He might have got there too soon as he was only pegged back on the line over that stiff 3m1f on deep ground, but he finished just over three lengths ahead of third-placed Gwennie May Boy, who has rocketed up the handicap since for winning a Grade 2.

D Art D Art has winning form on decent ground and packs a good finish, so will hopefully be there at the last when it matters.

D Art D Art14:40 Cheltenham

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

Racing Post+ subscribers can read more of Paul Kealy's tipping here:

Paul Kealy with eight tips on a busy day three at Cheltenham - including a 2pt fancy who 'has really taken off this term'  

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