Punchestown Day 3 Tips: @RoadCheltenham's Picks For Thursday

It’s Champion Stayers Hurdle day at Punchestown with Teahupoo fancied to follow up his victory of 12 months ago. I’ve picked out my top three fancies for Day 3 at the 2025 Punchestown Festival – best of luck to all...

14:30 Punchestown

Four-year-olds have a decent record in this race and I’m guessing this may have been the long term plan for Janes Harbour. The 6lbs weight-for-age allowance can make a big difference and Aidan Kelly’s 5lbs claim will take more weight off her back and I’m hoping she can go close off a featherweight.

She was a beaten favourite the last day but was simply outstayed and a sharper track may be more up her street. JP McManus has had a horse finish in the places in three of the last four renewals and Janes Harbour looks to be his best chance here.

Three of the last seven runnings of this race have been won by 4-yos and I’m expecting her to give punters a run for their money at a double figure price. Joseph O’Brien has a small but select jumping team and he knows how to get one primed for the big day.

15:40 Punchestown

A cross-country legend around the famous Punchestown banks, Stealthy Tom brings a wealth of course experience to the race. In fact, he has a record of 33212P in six outings and the ground was ridiculously heavy when pulling up that day.

He is an 11-year-old but his form round Punchestown this season reads well, finishing in the places behind Stumptown in November before occupying that same position behind Vanillier in early February. I can’t see any reason why he won’t go close again here.

He went down by a neck in this race two years ago and missed the opportunity to try and go one better last season. He can make up for lost time here and jockey Simon Torrens – who guided him to victory here in February 2023 – can hopefully get the best out of him.

18:00 Punchestown

While there’s no doubting that Teahupoo would prefer a softer surface, he’s not entirely ground dependent and I still expect him to prevail in the Champion Stayers Hurdle on Thursday evening – especially with Bob Olinger missing Punchestown this year.

The Gordon Elliott runner won this race 12 months ago and conditions were lively enough that day. To put it simply, he is the best horse in the race and I’d be shocked if he was to fall short, particularly as he has had a lighter campaign than most of his rivals.

He is clear on ratings and he is probably overpriced at this stage. There will be plenty who are looking to take him on given how the early part of the week started and the drying conditions but I’m very strong on his chances and I won’t be deserting him.