Cork punters will be hoping to see Answer To Kayf do the business in the Novice Handicap Chase

Gordon Elliot’s Teahupoo is the defending champion and is a short priced favourite to defend his Stayers Hurdle crown in the feature race on day three of the Cheltenham Festival. 

It also promises to a huge day for Carrigtwohill trainer Terence O’Brien with his progressive novice chaser Answer To Kayf who runs in the novice handicap chase. 

Elsewhere, on the card the JP McManus team will be hoping Fact To File wins the Ryanair Chase although it looks a competitive contest.

There will be great local interest in the novice handicap chase with the improving Answer To Kayf hoping to go a couple places better than his fourth place at last years festival. 

Talented Glanworth rider John Shinnick has impressed plenty of observers and preparations have been ideal according to his trainer. 

“The horse got the ferry over on Monday and so far so good. We worked him on Saturday morning and we have been very pleased with his homework," Terrence O’Brien said.

"He ran a cracker to finish fourth in the Martin Pipe last season and a repeat of that run should have him in the shakeup. 

"But Cheltenham is a very difficult place to win and there are so many dangers lurking in a very competitive handicap. 

"Answer To Kayf won well the last day at Naas. Now the handicapper didn’t miss it either and we got a good hike in the weights. 

"We just hope to get a nice run around and everything else is a bonus really. It looks like nice safe ground for everyone.“ 

Teahupoo has been on the drift in recent weeks although he has not been seen since the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse. 

Home By the Lee is owned by Sean O’Driscoll from Drimoleague and will be primed for a massive run by Joseph O’Brien. 

His rider JJ Slevin is adamant the horse is much improved this season and is very happy with his preparation. 

The Nicky Henderson runner is Lucky Place who has been the subject of positives vibes on the Cheltenham preview circuit. 

Leading Bloodstock agent Jerry McGrath said this about the horse.

“Nicky Henderson has really done a great job with this horse and brought him on nicely since finishing fourth in the Coral Cup last season. 

"That was a super run as plenty of our horses had to withdrawn due to a bug in the yard. I know the team at home are sweet enough on his chance although Teahupoo looks a tough nut to crack. 

"But Lucky Place is very much a horse on an upward curve and he looks to have a great each way chance.” 

Fact To File is a short priced favourite for the Ryanair after being rerouted from the Gold Cup. 

But this is a deep race with plenty of potential in the chasing pack. Il Est Francais comes over from France and looks a major player following his runner up effort in the King George at Kempton. 

Protektorat is the defending champion for the Skeltons and also has a massive chance.

The mares novice hurdle is always a very tough race to win and Gavin Cromwell’s Sixandahalf has excellent form on the book and was a very good flat horse. 

But Joseph O’Brien is a master trainer for the big days and his representative Galileo Dame is a mare with plenty of potential. 

She has excellent form on the flat and finished second to Hello Neighbour on her most recent run at the Dublin Racing Festival. 

The Kim Muir is always a tricky puzzle and preference here is for Johnnywho who runs in the McManus silks and trainer by Jonjo O’Neill. 

This is a race for amateur jockeys and Johnnywho has enjoyed a great preparation and will be ridden by the top amateur Derek O’Connor who has a great record in the race.

The Pertemps is another very tough puzzle for punters.

Tom Cooper has always been a trainer to respect and his representative D Art D Art is well fancied. 

Another horse to look for today is Walking On Air who runs in the Kim Muir. 

Lombardstown rider Alan O’Sullivan takes the ride and the horse runs in colours of JP McManus. 

This would be an incredibly emotional success for the young jockey following the passing of his brother Alan only three weeks ago.

Cheltenham Tips:

Mares Novice Hurdle, 1.20pm, Galileo Dame 

Novice Handicap Chase, 2pm, Answer To Kayf 

Pertemps Final, 2.40pm, D Art D Art 

Ryanair Chase, 3.20pm, Fact To File 

Stayers Hurdle, 4pm, Lucky Place 

Plate Handicap, 4.40pm, Springwell Bay 

Kim Muir, 5.20pm, Johnnywho.