Ian Ogg provides some quickfire stats based selections for all seven races at Cheltenham on St Patrick's Thursday.
Click here for the key stats for all seven races on St Patrick's Thursday
JLT Novices' Chase
Six renewals and five wins for Ireland with all winners contesting a race at the Festival before. It's not been the best of weeks for Willie Mullins so far but Yorkhill has strong claims of redressing the balance although he does lack a little experience after just two chase starts.
The Pertemps Network Final
Relatively lightly raced hurdlers with form in class 1 or 2 handicaps are the strongest stats based points while six winners have been rated between 138 and 142. There's no shortage of viable contenders but six-year-olds have won three of the last four and For Good Measure has long looked a likely type for this race but he's closely matched at the weights with Golden Doyen who makes each-way appeal at a bigger price.
Ryanair Chase
The King George VI Chase has been the best recent guide and Josses Hill finished a highly respectable last of five at Kempton, only seven lengths behind Thistlecrack. He disappointed in last year's renewal but seems on far better terms with himself this season. He lacks Grade One winning chase form which has been another strong statistic and one which points to Un Des Sceaux and Uxizandre.
Sun Bets Stayers' Hurdle
Not a bad race for favourites with five successful and there's little reason to oppose Unowhatimeanharry on the stats. Jezki looks the key threat.
Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate
Outsiders have won this at 66/1, 50s, 33s (twice) and 25s and no winner has been rated higher than 145 so there's hope for those looking to take on the undeniably well treated Diamond King. Starchitect and the rejuvenated Thomas Crapper look big players but haven't been missed by the market and Henryville is an interesting alternative at a bigger price.
Trull House Stud Mares' Novices' Hurdle
Willie Mullins, won the inaugural running with Limini and Let's Dance has clear claims of following in her steps.
Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Steeple Chase
The market has been a decent guide with no winner returned at longer than 16/1 despite not that many coming into the race on the back of a good run. Jamie Codd has ridden four of the last eight and is on board Squouateur who was a big talking horse at the last Festival but with no winner younger than seven, he is worth opposing with the equally well fancied Mall Dini.
