Thursday on ITV Racing: armchair guide to each Cheltenham Festival race

1.30 Cheltenham
Marsh Novices' Chase, Grade 1, 2m4f

Five years after winning the Champion Hurdle, Faugheen will bring the house down if he can maintain his unbeaten record over fences at the age of 12 and complete a Grade 1 hat-trick.

2.10 Cheltenham
Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle, Grade 3, 3m

Barry Geraghty rides his winning partner of last year Sire Du Berlais over JP McManus's other contender, Grade 1 winner Unowhatimeanharry. Sire Du Berlais's trainer Gordon Elliott seeks a third consecutive win in the race, having won with Delta Work in 2018.

2.50 Cheltenham
Ryanair Chase, Grade 1, 2m4½f

Another potential feelgood factor if Frodon and Bryony Frost can repeat their heroics of last year to put racing on the front pages again, but they face another festival winner in A Plus Tard, ridden by Rachael Blackmore.

Bryony Frost soaks up the cheers of an excited crowd as she and Frodon return to the winner's enclosureCredit: Michael Steele (Getty Images)

3.30 Cheltenhan
Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle, Grade 1, 3m

Paisley Park is a banker for many, not only for the day but the whole festival. The Emma Lavelle-trained stayer has proved peerless in eight races, including this feature last year, since being beaten in the 2018 Albert Bartlett.

4.10 Cheltenham
Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate Handicap Chase, Grade 3, 2m4½f

Simply The Betts immediately became a stronger favourite for this race after Imperial Aura's impressive win in the 2m4f novice handicap chase on Tuesday. He is sure to remain popular to give trainer Harry Whittington a first festival winner.

Simply The Betts (right) jumps the second-last fence and goes on to beat Imperial Aura (left) and On The SlopesCredit: Edward Whitaker

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