DAY three looks like it could be a good day for the punters with a number of short-priced favourites expected to do the business, writes Oddschecker.

YORKHILL (1.30) should take all the beating in the opening race and in turn give his trainer Willie Mullins a belated first win of the week.

A ‘quirky’ horse by nature, there’s no doubting his ability and if he can put it all together on the big stage, as he did when he landed the Neptune Novices’ Hurdle last year at the Festival, he should prove too good for the rest of today’s field.

In the Stayers’ Hurdle UNOWHATIMEANHARRY (3.30) is many people’s idea of the banker of the week. A winner of his last eight starts, including the Albert Bartlett 12 months ago, Harry Fry’s 9yo just keeps on progressing and has already accounted for most of today’s field this season.

The third piece of the favourites treble is LETS DANCE (4.50) in the Mares’ Novices Hurdle. Another trained by Willie Mullins, the 5yo has shown really strong form in winning her last three races and although she has to deal with a step back in trip today, she has all the right credentials to overcome this minor inconvenience.

Treble:

http://www.oddschecker.com/bet-basket/true/20533671875*2975018954*20533599179*2975008544*20533818467*2975032190*

The other three races today comprise two difficult handicap puzzles and the Ryanair Chase and it’s in the latter where we find the best bet of the day.

EMPIRE OF DIRT (2.50) comes into today’s race off the back of two high class performances over in Ireland for his new trainer, the all-conquering Gordon Elliott.

A winner of the Plate over 2m5f at last year’s Festival, the lightly raced 10yo really looks to be coming of age and today’s conditions look perfect for another huge run in a race sponsored by his owners.

His odds have been contracting all week and he now looks set to be sent off favourite for the Grade One contenst.