Cheltenham Day 3 : All the local runners and riders

It's Cheltenham Day 3 and so much has happened already.

Willie Mullins has brought up a century of winners at Prestbury Park, while Waterford trainer Henry de Bromhead has captured the Champion Chase and Supreme Novices' Hurdle on the opening two days.

Day 3 sees the Knockeen handler well-represented once again, with Envoi Allen likely to go off as the favourite as he bids to retain his Ryanair Chase crown at 2.50.

Dungarvan jockey Sean Houlihan is also in the saddle today, as he rides the Shiela Lewis-trained Straw Fan Jack in the Paddy Power Plate from 4.10.

Action begins at 1.30 with the Turners Novices' Chase, with the day's feature coming in the form of the Stayers' Hurdle from 3.30.

Gabbys Cross hasn't won since the 2022 Galway Festival but has ran well in a number of handicaps in the interim period. He has seen his mark drop significantly, and looks to be performing to the peak of his powers recently on the back of two second-placed finishes at Punchestown and Galway. He has gone well in big fields and is definitely one of the top contenders in this race.

Popova got up on the line to win a hurdle race at Listowel in September over two-and-a-half miles, and finished fourth on his first attempt at the three-mile distance back in November. He was four lengths behind Gabbys Cross on that occasion and there isn't a lot to separate the two. He's rated just 1lb lower than his stablemate and will also be well-fancied by many.

Envoi Allen is bidding for a fourth Cheltenham Festival success having won this race last year, as well as previous successes in the Champion Bumper and the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle. The ground and trip should prove no issue and if he can replicate last year's effort, then it is difficult to envision a scenario where he doesn't enter the winner's enclosure. This looks a far more open renewal but it is incredibly hard to make any compelling case that discounts an 8-time Grade-1 victor.

He was an impressive winner on his stable debut at Gowran Park last season but failed to build on that when sent off favourite for the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown. Arctic Bresil then finished fourth in his next three starts, before coming home second at this distance when last seen at Punchestown last month. There seems to be plenty of ability in the 7-year-old, and he could be bang there if he shows the required stamina.

The drop back in trip is likely to significantly improve Watch House Cross' chances as he hadn't been seen to his best over three miles. He will have to recover from a fall on his last outing, and did fade out in last year's Coral Cup - but confidence will be taken from some good showings at Wexford in the interim period.

Dungarvan jockey Sean Houlihan partners the Sheila Lewis-trained Straw Fan Jack, who ran excellently at big odds in last year's Arkle Chase. Both of his wins have come on good ground at two miles, and it's likely to be a lot more testing here with an extra half-mile to contend with. He finished 10^th of 13 when last seen over course and distance in January.

Local jockey Mikey O'Connor takes the ride on Life In The Park, who boasts a record of 1 win from 9 runs over fences. He finished third in three successive handicaps between April and June but hasn't been at his best since. This looks a big ask and is also a significant drop back in trip.

She has warmed up for this with an impressive showing in a Listed hurdle at Thurles back in November, but also has 23 lengths to find with the favourite Brighterdaysahead from their last encounter. She has potential but will likely be seeking minor honours based on previous evidence.

She has only had one run so far for this yard but it was a winning debut on heavy ground at Punchestown two weeks ago. She was purchased for £240K having breezed home in a point and does look one for the future - but it's likely that this will come too soon.

Ardmore jockey John Gleeson is on board Whacker Clan who looks to have a good outside chance in the final race of the day. He was a winner here in October over a furlong less, and he has shown a solid level of form winning two of his last four appearances. He gets in off a nice mark and could well be open to further improvement given how lightly-raced he has been.

He has always been well thought of as was justified when he went off as the favourite for last year's Irish National at Fairyhouse, though he did pull up on that occasion. He was fourth in the race won at Cheltenham by Whacker Clan last time out before his saddle slipped when fifth at Leopardstown over Christmass. This horse definitely has a big prize in him, and there's no reason that this race cannot be the one.