Thursday's Cheltenham tips

By Cornelius Lysaght BBC racing correspondent

One of the big questions on the third day of the Festival is whether Baracouda can claim a hat-trick of wins in the World Hurdle (1515).

The Francois Doumen-trained 11-year-old has never finished out of the first two in his four previous attempts in the race.

But he has only run once since finishing second to Inglis Drever 12 months ago and could be vulnerable.

Henry Daly's Mighty Man has shown good form this season while a popular winner would be Golden Cross, who will be ridden by Derby-winning jockey Johnny Murtagh.

But I have a good feeling about the French-trained Ambobo, who has impressed in his runs on home soil this season.

THURSDAY'S TIPS 1400: Idole First 1435: Impek 1515: Ambobo 1600: Windsor Boy 1640: Blue Business 1720: Oulart

In Barry Geraghty, trainer Arnaud Chaille-Chaille has an experienced pilot who could prove the difference on the day.

In the Ryanair Chase (1435), I think Impek has every chance of ending his Cheltenham losing run.

A win for the 10-year-old, trained by Henrietta Knight and owned by Jim Lewis, would be a popular one after the death of Best Mate last November.

Impek is the most expensive horse owned by Lewis and has looked well this season, although he has been off the track since finishing third to Kicking King on Boxing Day.

Reveillez has attracted plenty of interest for the Jewson Novices' Handicap Chase (1400) after a win last time out at Folkestone.

But Idole First is an interesting competitor, although Venetia Williams's charge has a bit to find after last year's Coral Cup success.

The Racing Post Plate (formerly the Mildmay of Flete) at 1600 has become a speciality for Martin Pipe with four wins in the last eight years, and he has four runners again this time around.

Bannow Strand and Windsor Boy probably represent his best chances, with claimer Andrew Glassonbury taking the ride on the latter, who could be the one to emerge victorious.