One standout quote for all seven of the races at Cheltenham on Thursday

Ahead of day three of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival, we've picked out one key quote from every race on Thursday . . .

Envoi Allen
1.20 Cheltenham
Marsh Novices' Chase

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Envoi Allen: "Obviously, I haven't had him long but the one thing that struck me about him was his presence. Like all those really good horses, he knows he's good. Everything has gone smoothly with him since he's arrived and I'm looking forward to seeing how he gets on. He's travelled over lovely and seems to be very well in himself."

Imperial Alcazar
1.55 Cheltenham
Pertemps Network Final

Fergal O'Brien, trainer of Imperial Alcazar: "It'd be amazing to have a winner. I thought we were going to do it with Elham Valley at one point in the Boodles on Tuesday. It'd mean everything to us having moved yards and off the back of our best season. I think Imperial Alcazar is our best chance. He's an improving horse, is pretty straightforward and goes on most ground.

Samcro
Ryanair Chase

Denise Foster, trainer of Samcro: "This is his time of year and I think everyone knows that. We're all very excited to see him back at the track where he has already produced two terrific performances."

Thursday's free tipping:

Paul Kealy's banker at Cheltenham on Thursday

The Punt Daily: Tom Collins' free horse racing tips on day three of Cheltenham

Cheltenham Thursday tips: five horses to back on day three of the festival

Paisley Park
3.05 Cheltenham
Stayers' Hurdle

Emma Lavelle, trainer of Paisley Park: "Touch wood, he's in great order. He's such a star for us, fingers crossed he goes and runs his race but in how he seems at home and how the season has gone for him there's nothing to suggest he's not going to go and do what we hope he'll do."

Champagne Court
3.40 Cheltenham
Paddy Power Plate

Jeremy Scott, trainer of Champagne Court: "He's slipped down the handicap a little bit and does seem to run quite well at Cheltenham. It would be a bit of a leap of faith on what he's done this season but this is his time of the year and and I think he will love the ground. He's got an each-way chance."

Skyace
4.15 Cheltenham
Mares' Novices' Hurdle

Shark Hanlon, trainer of Skyace: "Jody McGarvey rode her on Wednesday morning and she bounced the whole way back to her stable. She’s in mighty form. I can’t have her any better than she is and with a bit of luck she’ll be involved."

Kim Muir Challenge Cup

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Plan Of Attack: "He's in great form and we've freshened him up for this. The better the ground, the better he will be. We're putting blinkers on him for the first time in the hope they will sharpen him up a bit."

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Thursday's race previews:

1.20 Cheltenham: Keith Melrose believes there is only one viable alternative to Envoi Allen

1.55 Cheltenham: can conditional Jordan Gainford be the boss in a wide-open punting puzzle?

2.30 Cheltenham: classy and deep Ryanair field could lead to championship race of the week

3.05 Cheltenham: Paisley Park primed in search for 'very special' second Stayers' Hurdle success

3.40 Cheltenham: bonus hunter The Shunter bids to bag £100,000 on return to fences

4.15 Cheltenham: Peter Fahey confident Royal Kahala can end Willie Mullins mares' monopoly

4.50 Cheltenham: Keith Melrose fancies a pair of novices to come to the fore in a tricky contest