Free Cheltenham Festival tips: Best bets for every race on Thursday including the Stayers' Hurdle and Ryanair Chase

1.30pm MARSH Novices' Chase (Grade 1) 2m 3f 166y

David Ord - MISTER FISHER

Nicky Henderson's Mister Fisher won a good edition of the Lightning Novices' Chase at Doncaster last time out. He's a strong traveller with a proper turn of foot and it could be really important that he's already proven around the course and distance at Prestbury Park.

2.10pm Pertemps Network Final (Handicap Hurdle) (Grade 3) 2m 7f 213y

Mike Cattermole - SIRE DU BERLAIS

There are many options of course in the Pertemps Final and last year’s winner, Sire Du Berlais, has a decent chance of following up off a 7lb higher mark. Interestingly, he is blinkered for the first time as he can race a bit lazily. He is 5lb better with The Storyteller who crept into the top six places in the qualifier at Leopardstown last time. Barry Geraghty is obviously riding at the top of his game this week and that will also help Sire Du Berlais who can give JP McManus yet another winner. Skandiburg and Third Wind are two others who are capable of showing well.

2.50pm Ryanair Chase (Grade 1) 2m 4f 127y

Ed Chamberlin - ASO (e.w.)

I was keen on Aso last year before his massive effort in second last year and he was also placed in the race the year before that. He's being underestimated again this time around by the looks of things having been racing over an unsuitable trip for most of the campaign and he can outrun his odds again.

3.30pm Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 7f 213y

Simon Holt - SUMMERVILLE BOY

Paisley Park is one of the so-called 'bankers' of the week and will start a short price to retain his Stayers' crown. Emma Lavelle's stable-star always seems to get the job done even if looking outpaced during his races on occasions and is impossible to criticise after seven straight victories. Yet past Festival winner Summerville Boy (2018 Supreme) was beaten only a length and a quarter by the favourite in the Cleeve Hurdle here at the end of January staying on well up the hill on his first try at three miles. And, given the small margin between the two horses, Tom George’s revived gelding looks worth an interest to me at many times the odds.

4.10pm Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate (Handicap Chase) (Grade 3) 2m 4f 166y

Ben Linfoot - SIRUH DU LAC

Siruh Du Lac is two from two on the New Course after victories in the Trophy handicap on trials day last year before his superb Festival win, where he jumped brilliantly and battled on well to see off a good horse in Janika. He had an excuse when last seen but goes well fresh and could be worth chancing on his return. I like that he’s a prominent racer on this track and even though he's 9lb higher than last year there’s still no evidence, considering the reason for his BetVictor Handicap Chase reverse, that he’s reached the ceiling of his ability. Sent off at 8s for the big autumn handicap when running off the same mark, he’s a big price now around 10 points bigger with essentially the same task in store.

4.50pm Dawn Run Mares' Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m 179y

Matt Brocklebank - FLORESSA

If one man can wrestle this prize from Willie Mullins' grasp then you suspect it will be Nicky Henderson, whose Floressa looks a really useful performer in the making based on her four hurdle starts so far. She jumps absolutely beautifully and looked a mare going places when beating Jeremys Flame at Newbury in November. She shaped like she needed the run when last seen at Doncaster and comes here with a massive chance under Nico de Boinville.

5.30pm Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Amateur Riders' Handicap Chase 3m 2f

Oli Bell - KILFILUM CROSS (e.w.)

Second in the same race last year and gets to compete from a 1lb lower mark this time around despite a promising showing in first-time cheekpieces at Kempton last time out. The sheepskin is retained here and Alex Edwards - who was in the saddle last March - returns to the plate for the first time since.

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