Day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival brings another packed afternoon of top-class racing. From the opening race through to the Champion Bumper, Wednesday has long been one of the most exciting days of the meeting.
The highlight of Day two is the Queen Mother Champion Chase, alongside that are several major supporting races, including the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase and the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase.
With big fields, strong Irish and British contenders, and plenty of competitive markets, Day 2 at Cheltenham always provides plenty for racing fans and punters to get stuck into.
13:20 – Turners Novices’ Hurdle
The Turners Novices’ Hurdle brings together a full field of 22 runners over 2 miles and 5 furlongs. It is one of the key novice races of the week and often reveals the next group of staying hurdlers ready to step into open company.
This year’s renewal looks particularly strong, with leading yards from Britain and Ireland all well represented.
At the head of the market sits No Drama This End (5/1), who has made a very smooth transition from bumpers to hurdles. Trained by Paul Nicholls, he has already picked up a pair of Grade 2 wins this season and produced a polished display when taking the Challow Hurdle at Newbury.
That form has marked him out as a serious contender for this longer trip, and if he settles into a good rhythm early on, he looks capable of playing a major role in the finish.
Another runner attracting attention is Skylight Hustle (17/2), who has risen quickly through the ranks for Gordon Elliott after an easy maiden win at Fairyhouse.
He followed that by landing a Grade 1 at Leopardstown, taking advantage of a late mistake from a rival but still showing the ability to see the race out strongly.
One horse attracting plenty of interest is Sober (8/1), trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Patrick Mullins. He began his career on the Flat in France and showed his stamina when winning the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Since moving over hurdles, he has remained unbeaten, most recently winning the Grade 2 Moscow Flyer at Punchestown. That performance confirmed he has the class to compete at this level, even though the race was run over a shorter trip than he will face here.
TIP: Sober
DANGER: No Drama This End
OUTSIDER: I’ll Sort That
14:00 – The Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
The Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase over 3 miles and 1 furlong is always one of the strongest staying novice races of the week, and this year’s running has attracted a deep field of 16 runners.
One horse that stands out is Romeo Coolio (4/1), who has taken very well to fences this season. Trained by Gordon Elliott, he has won all four of his starts over the larger obstacles, including two Grade 1 victories at Leopardstown.
Those wins came over shorter trips, but he has always shaped like a horse who will appreciate further. If he settles into a good rhythm early on and stays the distance, he looks a strong candidate to take this.
A threat could come from Wendigo (8/1), who has improved steadily since switching to chasing. His win in a Grade 2 at Newbury showed he handles a decent level of competition, and he later proved his stamina when scoring over three miles at Ayr.
His third place behind Kitzbuhel in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase also reads well in the context of this race, and with more progress likely, he could be one of the main dangers.
For those looking a little further down the market, Western Fold (14/1) makes some sense as an each-way bet. After a quiet first season over fences, he has taken a big step forward this campaign, winning several races, including the Galway Plate and a Grade 2 at Gowran.
He ran a solid race when finishing second behind Kaid D’authie at Leopardstown last time, and if he produces another run at that level he could easily stay on into the places.
TIP: Romeo Coolio
DANGER: Wendigo
OUTSIDER: Western Fold
14:40 – BetMGM (Coral) Cup Handicap Hurdle
The BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle is one of the big betting races of the meeting, with a large field of 26 runners tackling 2m5f around Cheltenham.
Competitive handicaps like this often produce tight finishes, with plenty of runners arriving in form and many holding realistic each-way claims.
One horse who makes plenty of appeal is Iberico Lord (10/1), trained by Nicky Henderson. He comes here after a strong win earlier in the season. He looks fairly treated in a race where course form can count for a lot..
The main threat may come from Storm Heart (6/1), representing the Willie Mullins yard. He has improved since returning from a break and arrives after a couple of solid performances, including a pair of wins that suggest he is still progressing.
For those searching for a bigger price, Farren Glory (20/1) is an interesting each-way option. Gordon Elliott’s runner tends to run consistently without always getting his head in front. He could easily grab a place if things fall his way.
TIP: Iberico Lord
DANGER: Storm Heart
OUTSIDER: Farren Glory
15:20 – Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
The Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase is one of the most unusual races of the Cheltenham Festival, run over the banks course across 3 miles and 5 furlongs.
The race demands accurate jumping, patience, and plenty of stamina, with the varied obstacles and twisting layout often favouring horses who already have experience over these unique fences.
Last year’s winner, Stumptown (3/1), looks the one to beat once again. Gavin Cromwell’s runner has taken brilliantly to cross-country racing and already has an excellent record over this course and distance.
Since winning this race twelve months ago, he has added another major success to his CV by landing the famous Velka Pardubicka, one of the toughest races in Europe. He looks like a solid choice to defend his crown.
The main threat could come from Favori De Champdou (5/2), who arrives in excellent form for Gordon Elliott. The veteran has enjoyed something of a revival this season, winning the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas before following up with a victory over this course on Trials Day.
For those looking at a bigger price, Conflated (25/1) could be an interesting each-way option. A former Grade 1 winner in his prime, he showed he still retains plenty of ability when finishing third behind Vanillier at Punchestown on his recent return.
While the extended trip is a question, his class and experience could see him run better than his odds suggest if he adapts well to the cross-country test.
TIP: Stumptown
DANGER: Favori De Champdou
OUTSIDER: Conflated
16:00 – BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase
The Queen Mother Champion Chase is run over just short of two miles, the race places huge emphasis on speed and slick jumping, with very little room for error at this level.
One horse who makes plenty of appeal is Il Etait Temps (5/1). The Willie Mullins-trained runner showed his class earlier in the season when landing both the Clonmel Oil Chase and the Tingle Creek, defeating some top-class rivals along the way.
He fell two out in the Clarence House Chase, which was far from ideal preparation, but if he returns to the form he showed at Sandown he looks capable of taking a race of this nature.
The biggest threat could come from Majborough (10/11), who arrives as one of the most exciting two-mile chasers around.
His performance at the Dublin Racing Festival was particularly striking, where he dominated a Grade 1 and finished well clear of several rivals he meets again here. Jumping has occasionally been his weak point, but if he puts in a clean round he clearly has the ability to take control of this race.
At bigger odds, Quilixios (10/1) could be an interesting outsider. He was travelling strongly in this race last year before falling late on, suggesting the Cheltenham suits him well.
Although he has not been seen for some time, he has gone well when fresh in the past and could run better than his odds suggest.
TIP: Il Etait Temps
DANGER: Majborough
OUTSIDER: Quilixios
16:40 – Grand Annual Challenge Cup
The Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase is often one of the fastest and most competitive handicaps of the entire Cheltenham Festival.
One horse who stands out is Inthepocket (8/1). His chasing career has been slightly stop-start, but he showed plenty of promise in a strong handicap at Leopardstown recently. With better ground expected to suit him, he could be well positioned to strike in a race like this.
The defending champion Jazzy Matty (8/1) looks the main threat. He won this race impressively last year and has clearly been aimed back at the Grand Annual again.
Another danger is Be Aware, who has taken well to chasing this season. Dan Skelton’s runner has been placed in several decent novice races.
At bigger odds, Rubaud (25/1) could be an interesting outsider. Paul Nicholls’ runner has shown plenty of class over both hurdles and fences, including a Grade 2 success earlier in his career.
His recent form suggests he is still running well in strong company, and returning to a fast-run two-mile handicap chase could bring out the best in him.
TIP: Jazzy Matty
DANGER: Be Aware
OUTSIDER: Rubaud
17:20 – Champion Bumper
The Champion Bumper closes the second day of the Cheltenham Festival and often introduces a group of future stars to the wider racing public. Run over just over two miles with no obstacles.
One horse who looks capable of going very close is Keep Him Company (8/1) for Gordon Elliott. The unbeaten six-year-old has already won both his bumper starts under Rules, including a strong performance at Leopardstown.
The biggest threat may come from Love Sign D’aunou (5/1), one of several runners from the powerful Willie Mullins yard.
He made a striking impression when winning easily at Naas on his Rules debut after earlier success in a point-to-point. With Patrick Mullins taking the ride and the stable having such a strong record in this race, he is clearly one to take very seriously.
For those looking at each-way value, With Nolimit (28/1) could be worth considering.
TIP: Keep Him Company
DANGER: Love Sign D’aunou
OUTSIDER: With Nolimit
That’s how the card shapes up for Day 2 at Cheltenham, with plenty of competitive races and several fascinating clashes across the afternoon. As always on Day two, the Festival can throw up a surprise or two, so expect plenty of drama once the tape goes up.
Good luck with your bets, and enjoy another brilliant afternoon of racing at Cheltenham.
BETFRED
