FINGAL Bay was the only highlight of the day, delivering as expected albeit via a photo finish.

However my other selections on day three didn’t threaten Paddy Power’s pockets.

Vukovar never got going, Tap Night was pulled up while Indian Castle faded at the last.

So it’s another day without any profit and, to top it off, as designated driver I couldn’t even drown my sorrows.

On to Gold Cup day and I’m to hoping to rise to the occasion and finally deliver the goods.

TODAY’S SELECTIONS (A each way Yankee today)

GUITAR PETE (The Triumph Hurdle): Unlike the rest of us this four-year-old has improved as he has aged. He’s won his last two starts quite impressively, both in good races at Leopardstown. Trained by shrewd Irish handler Dessie Hughes, Guitar Pete is sure to be ‘tuned up’ for the most important race of his career!

KINGS PALACE (The Albert Bartlett Hurdle): David Pipe’s six-year-old enjoys the undulations of Cheltenham, having won there in October and December last year. He is a consistent sort with four wins and a second from his six starts. Pipe has been glowing in his praise for Kings Palace during recent interviews, and the stable enjoyed a winner on the opening day of the Festival, so it is in pretty good form. Hopefully after the race we’ll be singing ‘Long live the King’!

PEARLY STEPS (The Foxhunters Chase): This race is for amateur riders on horses who usually ply their trade on ‘point to point’ courses. These horses are often at the veteran stage of their careers. Pearly Steps is an 11-year-old who won his last outing, at Towcester in January, by an impressive 34 lengths. He is trained by Henry Daly, who often does well with this type of horse. My ‘pearl of wisdom’ is an each way bet!

JUNCTION FOURTEEN (Conditionals Handicap Hurdle): Junction 14 to some Swindon people might mean the Hungerford junction of the M4, but to me Junction Fourteen is a ‘dark horse’ who could pay large dividends in my final bet of the week. Trained by Emma Lavelle and ridden by Cheltenham veteran Richard Johnson, this five-year-old gelding won at Kempton in December and Fontwell in November, and looks to have a solid each way chance. Hopefully this nag will take us on the ‘road to riches’