Following four years of domination by Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott is hoping to rise to the top of the leaderboard once again for winners at this year’s Cheltenham Festival and he has plenty of big names set to race on Thursday.

Here’s a look at what Cheltenham’s leading trainer in 2017 and 2018 has running in the seven races on day three in the Cotswolds.

13:30 Turners’ Novices Chase

Elliott’s first prospect of the day could be the most bankable with Mighty Potter entering the Turners’ Novices Chase as favourite.

He is a three-time Grade One winner with his latest success coming at Leopardstown in February, winning the Ladbrokes Novice Chase by over eight lengths to his nearest challenger.

He will be seeking retribution after a disappointing Cheltenham last year, pulling up in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

14:10 Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle

  • Maxxum – 11/2
  • The Bosses Oscar – 11/1
  • Salvador Ziggy – 12/1
  • Level Neverending – 28/1

Elliott enters four in the second race of the day with Maxxum likely to be his best bet following a couple of handicap hurdle wins.

Despite competing in packed fields, he won at both Navan and Leopardstown, the latter being a 16-length romp in a 27-horse field, though he did struggle in his latest outing at Leopardstown, failing to place.

The Bosses Oscar and Salvador Ziggy both have similar prospects coming into this race – the former won at Limerick in July while the latter was a four-time winner in 2022.

Eight-year-old The Bosses Oscar has raced at Cheltenham three times and was second in the 2021 Grade Three Handicap Hurdle.

Level Neverending is the final Elliot hopeful who has been inconsistent throughout his career.

14:50 Ryanair Chase

  • Fury Road – 9/1

Fury Road comes into the Ryanair Chase on the back of two third-place finishes in the Savills Chase and Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown.

He won his seasonal reappearance at Down Royal in November and could be a big challenge to former Arkle winner Shishkin.

His previous appearance at Cheltenham saw him pull up in the Stayers’ Hurdle but the drop in trip means he could be a serious player.

15:30 Stayers’ Hurdle

  • Teahupoo – 7/2
  • Sire Du Berlais – 66/1

The feature race of the day sees Elliott enter two horses with Teahupoo looking to claim the biggest win of his career.

At Gowran Park in January, the six-year-old was bumped up in trip from two to three miles and coped admirably in winning the Grade Two John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle.

Cheltenham last year was a baptism of fire, finishes ninth of ten in the Champion Hurdle but, with Davy Russell on board, he has a great chance to claim the spoils.

At the other end of the scale, Sire Du Berlais enters in poor form having only finished as high as fourth in five races since his Grade One Aintree triumph in April.

16:10 Magners Plate Handicap Chase

This one is looking less likely to be a success for Elliott with the trio well away from the top of the betting.

Escaria Ten finished ninth in last year’s Grand National and did show some class when finishing second in a Listed contest at Thurles in December – however, he has not won a race since December 2020.

Mars Harper has had a clutch of second-place finishes in recent months, the best of which was at Grade Two level but he pulled up on his Cheltenham bow last year.

Gevrey returns after a four-month absence and previous results do not suggest a strong run is on the cards.

16:50 Jack De Bromhead Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle

  • Halka Du Tabert – 10/1
  • Shecouldbeanything – 40/1

Halka Du Tabert has only raced three times in her short career so far but has shown plenty of promise.

Two wins at Naas saw her entered into a Grade Three at Leopardstown in January where she finished a creditable third, only two lengths adrift of the winner.

Shecouldbeanything has raced well at Limerick with two wins but the drop in trip probably won’t suit her.

17:30 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase

Dunboyne – 9/1
Ballykeel – 20/1
Punitive – 22/1
Defi Bleu – 50/1

The final race on Thursday sees another four Elliott charges with Dunboyne the most likely to impress.

He won at Gowran Park in November and is very capable on his day.

Ballykeel won at Fairyhouse last time and may be in with a shout of placing while Punitive finished second at Cheltenham in November.

Meanwhile, Defi Bleu has only placed in one of his last four races.

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