The opening race on day three of the Cheltenham Festival is the 2m 3f Grade One Turners' Novices' Chase. This renewal looks like an open contest with many in with a chance such as Facile Vega, Grey Dawning and Ginny's Destiny. Who will come out on top here?
The already successful at the festival Willie Mullins saddles Sharjah in the Turners' this year, who has come to chasing quite late in his career, now being an 11-year-old. After finishing fourth in the Irish Arkle at Leopardstown last month, he looks set for a place near the back in this race.
Gordon Elliott has one in the Turners' in the form of seven-year-old Zanahiyr. The gelding was a very smart hurdler for Elliott and recorded a third-place finish in last year's Champion Hurdle behind State Man and Constitution Hill.
Gavin Cromwell has nine-year-old Letsbeclearaboutit in the opening race of Thursday's Cheltenham festival card. The 153-rated runner has already won twice over fences, at Gowran Park and Cork.
Jamie Snowden saddles Colonel Harry in the Turners' on Thursday afternoon. The seven-year-old arrives at the festival on the back of a slightly disappointing run in the G1 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase at Sandown, where he finished third of five.
Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero saddle one horse in the Turners' in the form of last year's winner of the Martin Pipe at the festival, Iroko. The six-year-old went off at 6/1 on the day and won the 2m 4f contest by just over a length to Nicky Henderson's No Ordinary Joe.
Paul Nicholls has one in the Grade One Turners' Novices' Chase in the form of the current third-favourite, Ginny's Destiny. The eight-year-old has performed very well over fences so far this season, winning three times already.
The current favourite for the Turners' Novices' Chase on Thursday is Dan Skelton's gelding Grey Dawning. The seven-year-old has produced some good form already as a novice over fences, and could record his first Grade One success in this contest.
Willie Mullins' second runner in this race is seven-year-old Facile Vega. The 151-rated chaser won the Champion Bumper here in 2022 and was second to Marine Nationale in last year's Supreme Novices' Hurdle. He now steps up in trip for the Turners' in the hands of Paul Townend.
Gary Moore saddles one in the G1 Turners' Novices' Chase in the form of his six-year-old Le Patron. The gelding was unbeaten over fences before losing that record last time out at Sandown, so needs to bounce back here.
Venetia Williams sends six-year-old Djelo to the Turners' Novices' Chase, who has a decent record over fences so far with wins at Aintree, Newbury and Ascot. He heads here after finishing second in the G1 Scilly Isles last time out.
David Pipe has one in the Turners' Novices' Chase on Thursday of the Cheltenham festival in the form of Jamaico, who is currently the 66/1 market outsidr. The french recruit makes his first start in the UK here in deep waters following some decent form in France.
