Postpublished at 15:18 Greenwich Mean Time
15:20 Ryanair Chase 2m 4f
Andrew Thornton
Former jockey on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
If I was on Jungle Boogie then it would worry me that the stable thinks he's their third best chance.
Summary
Postpublished at 15:18 Greenwich Mean Time
Postpublished at 15:17 Greenwich Mean Time
15:20 Ryanair Chase 2m 4f
A smaller field here, nine horses competing.
If the odds are to be believed, this could be one of the tightest fought races of the Festival.
Fact To File, Il Est Francais, Protektorat and Djelo are all well fancied.
Envoi Allen, Jungle Boogie, Heart Wood, Master Chewy and Hang In There are the other contenders.
Dettori files for bankruptcypublished at 15:15 Greenwich Mean Time
Some other racing news to bring you briefly, with former champion flat racing jockey Frankie Dettori announcing today that he is filing for bankruptcy.
“For the last six months, my advisors have been working with HMRC in an attempt to find a solution to my financial situation," Dettori has said in a statement.
“Regretfully, I will be filing for bankruptcy. I am saddened and embarrassed by this outcome and would advise others to take a stronger rein over their financial matters.
“Bankruptcy is a major decision and its consequences will affect me for many years.
“I am relieved to be drawing a line on this long-term matter, which enables me to reset and focus on my international riding career.”
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 15:12 Greenwich Mean Time
15:20 Ryanair Chase 2m 4f
Andrew Thornton
Former jockey on BBC Radio 5 Sports ExtraI think this could be a corker of a race up next.
'He is an exhilarating sight'published at 15:10 Greenwich Mean Time
15:20 Ryanair Chase 2m 4f
Tom Scudamore
Jockey on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports ExtraIt's very different here from what he's been used to both in France and Kempton. He is an exhilarating sight. Generally, they're more efficient, but Il Est Francais is different from that. He is a really exciting individual if he does get it all together.
Protektorat aims to spark more Fergie celebrationspublished at 15:07 Greenwich Mean Time
15:20 Ryanair Chase 2m 4f
Image source, Getty ImagesProtektorat, another horse co-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson after his Caldwell Potter won earlier, won last year’s Ryanair Chase and goes for a repeat for Harry and Dan Skelton.
However, he will face a strong challenge from the other eight challengers, not least from market leaders Fact To File and Il Est Francais.
The former, for Willie Mullins and Mark Walsh, won a Grade One at Punchestown in November and finished behind Galopin Des Champs in his next two runs.
The latter, trained in France by Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm has good form at Kempton but has never run at Cheltenham before, which could be key.
Postpublished at 15:04 Greenwich Mean Time
"Who you having a dabble on, guvnor?"
Image source, PA MediaPostpublished at 15:02 Greenwich Mean Time
These two have attracted a few glances from punters but they've gone far too early and are expected to fade in the latter stages...
Image source, PA MediaRoyal representation at Cheltenhampublished at 15:00 Greenwich Mean Time
Zara Tindall (third left in photo) and her husband, former England rugby player Mike Tindall, are once again at Cheltenham today.
It follows Queen Camilla visiting the Festival yesterday.
Image source, Getty Images'I had a willing partner'published at 14:58 Greenwich Mean Time
14:40 Pertemps Network Final (3m)
Winning jockey Brian Hughes on ITV Racing: "Winners for me here have been few and far between, but I was delighted when my agent got the call from Mr Henderson asking me to ride this one.
"I rode him at Haydock and he ran well.
"He got in a good rhythm and although we missed the second last and I got there sooner than I would have wanted, but I had a willing partner."
It is a first win at Festival since 2018 for Hughes, who is a three-time champion jockey
Postpublished at 14:56 Greenwich Mean Time
14:40 Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle 3m
Image source, Getty ImagesDoddiethegreat is given a great reception as he and Brian Hughes enter the winners' enclosure.
He was greeted by a piece of music written for Doddie Weir, while the prize money will be donated to the Doddie Weir Foundation to support those dealing with motor neurone disease (MND).
'The Irish traditionally are very strong on this day'published at 14:54 Greenwich Mean Time
Andrew Thornton
Former jockey on BBC Radio 5 Sports ExtraThe Irish traditionally are very strong on this day. It might not be all green and gold but I'd be surprised if there wasn't some.
On Thursdays, we wear greenpublished at 14:52 Greenwich Mean Time
Today has been designated as St. Patrick's Thursday at Cheltenham, a celebration of all things Irish.
Plenty of punters have got in the Irish spirit - some more tastefully than others...
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images'I love Doddie'published at 14:50 Greenwich Mean Time
14:40 Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle 3m
BBC Radio 5 Sports ExtraDoddiethegreat's trainer Nicky Henderson, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra: "It was quite nice when he jumped the last and there was nothing coming at them. Jeriko Du Reponet ran a great race.
"I love Doddie. I've been saying Doddie each way in every Cheltenham preview and I've done about 20 of them!"
Resultpublished at 14:49 Greenwich Mean Time
14:40 Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (3m)
1 Doddiethegreat (B S Hughes) 25-12 Jeriko Du Reponet (N de Boinville) 11-2 Fav3 Catch Him Derry (Harry Skelton) 14-14 Feet Of A Dancer (S F O'Keeffe) 15-224 ran
Doddiethegreat winspublished at 14:47 Greenwich Mean Time
Breaking14:40 Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle 3m
Another thrilling finish.
In light blue silks with white spots, the horse named in honour of Scottish rugby great Doddie Weir - who passed away following a battle with motor neurone disease - claims a win with the fighting spirit reminiscent of the man he is named after.
A patient ride from midfield, Doddiethegreat kicked for home under jockey Brian Hughes to win by a couple of lengths.
Postpublished at 14:46 Greenwich Mean Time
14:40 Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle 3m
Final straight, Doddiethegreat leads...
Postpublished at 14:46 Greenwich Mean Time
14:40 Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle 3m
American Sniper is reeled in.
Feet Of A Dancer and Doddiethegreat are charging.
Postpublished at 14:46 Greenwich Mean Time
14:40 Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle 3m
Charlie Poste
Former jump jockey on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
Image source, Getty ImagesThis has been a pretty smooth race, they're starting to bunch now.
Postpublished at 14:46 Greenwich Mean Time
14:40 Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle 3m
Heading to the last hurdle now.
Can American Sniper hold on?
