Cheltenham Festival Day 2 Tips

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DAY 2 OF THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL! Tons more to look forward to on Wednesday with the Queen Mother Champion Chase taking centre stage.

We’ll include key information like how we think the race will be run and who we see emerging as the main danger (or dangers). Profit and loss will be calculated to level stakes (same as our oddschecker bets) and posted daily to Twitter.

Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle – Grade 1 2m5f
Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase – Grade 1 3m80y
Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle – Grade 3 2m5f
Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase – Grade 1 1m7f199y
Glenfarclas Chase – Cross Country Chase 3m6f37y
Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase – Grade 3 1m7f199y
Weatherbys Champion Bumper – Grade 1 2m87y

Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle 1.30

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Trends

– 11/23 unbeaten hurdlers
– 10/13 won graded Novice hurdle earlier in the season
– 11/13 top or second on ratings
– 6/13 P2P, bumper and graded Novice hurdle winner
– 7/8 Irish trained
– 0-30 runners Flat background
– 21/27 won last time out

Cheltenham 1.30 Sir Gerhard (8/11)

Champion Bumper winner who made a pleasing start over hurdles winning by 8 lengths at Leopardstown; jumping improved to slam Three Stripe Life at the Dublin Racing Festival last month; can remain unbeaten here.

We kick-off day 2 with the Ballymore and I have to say it looks a weak renewal and you can now see why SIR GERHARD was put in the race as it really does look his to lose. He has only been beaten once and that was in a bumper at the end of last season. He looks as good as ever over hurdles with 2 wins by a combined 14 lengths. He should see this trip out fine, is well clear on ratings and is the one to beat based on all known form.

We got him at a bigger price last week in our acca so will have a bet on the without market with STAGE STAR who is unbeaten since going hurdling and for me he should be second favourite in this race. He won the Challow easily last time out and looks to have plenty more to come. He seems to go well on any ground and if handling the track I expect him to chase Sir Gerhard home.

The dangers are Journey With Me who is unbeaten and Three Stripe Life who is on a hat-trick of seconds and will run his race.


Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle

Cheltenham Wednesday 1.30 Sir Gerhard (best price 8/11)

Stage Star without Sir Gerhard (best price 3/1)

Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase 2.10

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Trends

– 14/15 won or second in Grade 1 or 2 this season
– 23/26 had just 1 hurdles season
– 24/24 made chase debut last year
– 17/22 7 year olds
– 11/12 ran over hurdles at last years Festival
– 7/7 rated 150 plus
– 8/10 first or second last time out

Cheltenham 2.10 Bravemansgame (9/4)

Exciting chaser who has danced his way to a perfect 4-4 over fences; powered clear to put Ahoy Senor in his place at Kempton and then gave weight and a beating in a handicap at Newbury last time; superb jumper who has a great chance.

Like many horses this week BRAVEMANSGAME is another one I can’t wait to see. I think this is Nicholls’ main hope of a Cheltenham winner this week and given this horse has been compared to Denman in the past (and is rated higher at this stage of his career) I think he has a massive chance to make it a perfect 5-5 over fences. He has dazzled us with his jumping so far and has proved he stays this trip. I think he paid the price for chasing down Bob Olinger in the Ballymore last year and I don’t see the hill being as much of an issue this time around. He will be gaining lengths in the air and I think 9/4 is a great price at the time of writing.

The obvious danger is L’homme Presse for Venetia Williams. He has looked a very bright prospect so far over fences and comes here holding his own but I just think the selection might have too much tactical speed and if he jumps as well as what we’ve seen so far that could put Venetia’s horse under pressure. It’s going to be fascinating to see how this plays out. Ahoy Senor obviously looks held by Bravemansgame on that Kempton form but he is still a horse capable at the top level so shouldn’t be ruled out either. Some say he won’t operate as well around here but we’ll soon find out. What we do know is he has an engine but I think he’ll need to put in the round of his life jumping-wise to be in with a chance.

Given the each way angle in this race I am going to put up CAPODANNO as a saver. This horse looked a natural over fences winning on chase debut at Naas and then chased home Bob Olinger (my NAP of the week) at Punchestown. He unseated early on at Leopardstown but definitely looks worth another chance and comes here still with lots of potential. I think if he puts in a clean round of jumping he will be bang there and at 8/1 looks too big. He has a nice mix of speed and stamina and has probably been a bit overlooked in the betting after failing to complete last time. Another horse to mention is Threeunderthrufive who is a stablemate to Bravemansgame. I think he should have gone for the National Hunt Chase but he is clearly a nice horse and he could go better than a 16/1 shot.

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Back a winner at 4/1 or more and get a risk free bet on the next live ITV race (up to £50) at bet365.

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Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase

Cheltenham Wednesday 2.10 Bravemansgame (best price 9/4)

Capodanno (best price 8/1) each way saver

Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle 2.50

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Trends

– 18/21 raced 9 or less over hurdles
– 9/13 top eight in the handicap
– 9/12 ran at Cheltenham previously (7 finished in top 4)
– 11/14 7 or younger
– the past 3 winners wore headgear
– respect good form over 2 miles
– only 1 of the past 18 winners was favourite

Cheltenham 2.50 Gowel Road (14/1)

Likeable type who looked the part beating Unexpected Party here back in November; can jump better than he did at Newbury behind Onemorefortheroad; found only Metier too good at Lingfield, clear from the rest; lots going for him.

This is always a tough race being one of the handicaps with less trends than most and it is well worth having a few in this 26-runner field. My best bet in the race is GOWEL ROAD who won a good handicap over course and distance back in November and has followed that up with some cracking form since. He is one of the most gutsy horses in the field and I would be very surprised if he isn’t in the mix at the finish. His run behind Metier was even more impressive as that rival had everything to suit and he still went close. He looks a very good each-way price here with his yard flying.

It usually pays to side with Gordon Elliot in Cheltenham handicaps as he is one for he best target trainers around. My final two selections both come from his yard and come our really well on trends. The first one is GRAND ROI who has been running graded company this season in Ireland which means he is off the same mark as running in this last year. He will clearly be a better horse now a 6 year old and the addition of first time cheekpieces could be the final piece of the puzzle and he should go really well.

THE BOSSES OSCAR is a massive price considering his Cheltenham form but that is because he has pulled up on his last two runs over fences. That is likely due to the trip (3 miles) and he will be a different horse here. He loves Cheltenham with a 5th in the Martin Pipe in 2020 followed by a 2nd in the Pertemps last year. He is only 3lbs higher and gets a useful 7lbs taken off by his jockey. On is past Cheltenham form 33/1 is massive.

Ganupathi comes out well on trends and really caught the eye last time out before coming down at the last and is a real danger here. The Shunter is the other who love its round here and can’t be written off.

Bet365 are paying an extra place on this race, you can now get 5 places.

Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase 3.30

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Trends

– 12/19 second season chasers
– 16/17 3 starts or less
– 5/13 unbeaten this season
– 30/35 under 10 years old
– 13/21 won at the Festival before
– 7/11 were last seasons Arkle winner
– 14/20 won last time out

Cheltenham 3.30 Shishkin (4/5)

Unbeaten chaser who looked in a spot of bother before finding his stride and running down Energumene to win the Clarence House at Ascot in January; won the Supreme and Arkle here at the last 2 Festivals; impossible to oppose.

The clash between SHISHKIN and Energumene in the Clarence House has been my highlight of the National Hunt season so far and it made it even sweeter the way Shishkin swooped late to nab the prize having looked briefly in trouble. That was his tenth win in a row and meant he remains unbeaten over fences with a perfect record of 7-7. It’s crazy to think Nicky Henderson has been blessed with the likes of Sprinter Sacre, Altior and now Shishkin. He really does fall into that category and with Cheltenham only going to help him further and heading left-handed I really can’t see Energumene reversing the form.

That said Energumene is clearly a serious horse himself and for him to get Shishkin out of his comfort zone at Ascot says a lot about the quality he has too. I can see the pair battling this out again but I think it might be an even more convincing win for Shishkin. He has won the Supreme and the Arkle at Cheltenham for the last two years and looks set to make it a hat-trick here. One thing that has surprised me in the run up to this race is his price as it is edging towards even money again which I did not envisage after he beat Energumene at Ascot. Bob Olinger has been put forward as my NAP of the week but in terms of price I think they’ve got this wrong as Shishkin should be much shorter than that given he holds the opposition.

Chacun Pour Soi is being built up as the interesting one here with connections saying he has had excuses when third to Put The Kettle On in this last year. I can see that angle to an extent as for a 10yo he is very lightly raced. Townend ended up siding with Energumene though and that speaks volumes for me. I just can’t see him coping with Shishkin late so while he might run well he is surely vulnerable late on? Of those at bigger prices Nube Negra is probably the most interesting as he was impressive over C&D on return and has been freshened up since disappointing in the Tingle Creek behind Greaneteen. Envoi Allen has Rachael Blackmore booked but he has looked laboured. It would be good to see him run well though.


Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase

Cheltenham Wednesday 3.30 Shishkin (best price 4/5) NAP

Glenfarclas Chase (Cross Country Chase) 4.10

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Trends

12/17 ran in the Cross Country race at either the November or December meetings
7/17 owned by JP McManus
Gordon Elliott boasts a very strong win and place record in the race
14/17 trained in Ireland
9/17 ran in the National Hunt Chase when a novice
 8/12 finished unplaced last time out
7/9 wore a tongue-tie

Cheltenham 4.10 Tiger Roll (7/4)

Dual Grand National hero who has won this 3 times in the last 4 years; gained revenge on Easysland in this last year to win by 18 lengths impressively; sure to be primed for this and the better ground makes him the one to beat.

The legend that is TIGER ROLL is back for one last hurrah as a 12 year old and I for one can’t wait to see him in the paddock and hopefully cheer him home well clear like he was last year. They have been ticking him over like they did last season but when he gets to Cheltenham he just comes alive. He is going for his 6th Cheltenham Festival win which is incredible not to mention his two Grand Nationals as well. He is a horse of a lifetime and if as reported he is in the same form as last season he wins easily again.

Stablemate Delta Work is in here and I think he could be their runner in this over the next few seasons but horses with no cross-country experience have an awful record here. My idea of the danger is Shady Operator who is 2/2 in these races and if proving it round Cheltenham should chase Tiger Roll home.


Glenfarclas Chase (Cross Country Chase)

Cheltenham Wednesday 4.10 Tiger Roll (best price 7/4) NEXT BEST

Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase 4.50

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Trends

– 10/13 novice or second season chaser
– 11/16 aged between 6 and 8
– 8/16 ran in this race before
– 7/8 carried 11 stone plus
– 2/18 won last time out
– 2/17 favourites
– Davy Russell a plus

Race Live Stream

ITV racing finishes before this race so bet365’s live streaming is great to watch the last 2 races on each day of the festival.

Stream every race at Cheltenham here

You will need to be logged in and have a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours. Geo location and live streaming rules apply.

Cheltenham 4.50 Embittered (8/1)

Tough sort who fell in this last year but previous handicap form at the Festival notably strong finishing third to Saint Roi in the County a couple of years ago; given a spin to get fit last month; likely primed for this.

The money really came for EMBITTERED in this last year and he ended up going off favourite at 9/2. He was still travelling well within himself when coming down at the ninth and with the trends pointing to those horses that have run in the race before I thought he looked obvious value at 8/1 at the time of writing. Course form is obviously huge and Festival form even better which he has from finishing third in the County a couple of years back. The trends are certainly in his favour and I have no doubt Joseph O’Brien has targeted him at this race again. He has been given plenty more experience over fences this season and I like the angle of running in graded races recently to help keep his mark down. 18 of the last 20 have been rated higher than 147 so on that alone it rules out a fair few and of those some are figuring prominently in the betting.

It won’t surprise you to hear I’ve backed 3 in this so my second play would have to be THYME WHITE for Paul Nicholls. This horse reached a decent level over hurdles and has looked a work in progress over fences. He bumped into Amarillo Sky on chase debut at Wincanton but that was a likeable effort sticking to the task. He was then pitched into a tough race at Ascot but unseated at the very first flight. It was good to see him firmly back on track at Doncaster travelling strongly before putting it to bed comfortably. He has been put away since and clearly his trainer must think there is a bit to spare off a mark of 142. He should be suited by the hustle and bustle of this race and I think he’ll go close under Bryony Frost.

Dangers include Amarillo Sky who ties in with our last selection and Andy Dufresne who looks to have a big chance but my final play is A WAVE OF THE SEA at a monster price for Joseph O’Brien. This horse took really well to first-time blinkers chasing home Ontheropes in the Munster National back in October and dug deep to prevail at Leopardstown last month. An 8lb higher mark makes life tougher of course but Shane Fitzgerald clearly gets on well with him and claims a handy 5lb again. He will be switched off early and they tend to go hard in this so it could really be run to suit and I think you’d be foolish to rule out a big run at a lovely each way price. Of the rest Capuccimix is also worth a second look but he does need to jump better as there will be no hiding place here.

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Back a winner at 4/1 or more and get a risk free bet on the next live ITV race (up to £50) at bet365.

Offer applies to first single bet placed. Applies to Win and Each-Way Fixed Odds markets and Enhanced Place Terms markets only. Bet restrictions and T&Cs apply. New and eligible customers only.

Weatherbys Champion Bumper 5.30

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Trends

– 22/29 trained in Ireland
– 18/18 won last time out
– 7/13 top or second on ratings
– 5/6 ran in February
– 1/86 4 year olds
– 1/11 ran just once in bumpers
– 5/8 3+ bumper runs

Race Live Stream

ITV racing finishes before this race so bet365’s live streaming is great to watch the last 2 races on each day of the festival.

Stream every race at Cheltenham here

You will need to be logged in and have a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours. Geo location and live streaming rules apply.

Cheltenham 5.30 Facile Vega (6/4)

Made a winning start back in December and then put in one of the most impressive performances I’ve seen in a bumper scampering clear by 12 lengths at the Dublin Racing Festival; clearly a hugely talented individual.

I can’t wait to see FACILE VEGA let loose in the Champion Bumper! The way this horse won at the DRF last month was one of the most impressive performances in a National Hunt Flat Race that I have ever witnessed and that opinion has very much been backed up by his trainer Willie Mullins since. He showed an effortless cruising speed and left rivals standing to saunter home by 12 lengths. I know the yard saddle a few and Patrick Mullins has been talking up Redemption Day but I have no doubt he’ll ride Facile Vega and to me this Walk In The Park gelding looks to have a really bright future. The scary thing is he is likely to improve again for racing in a race that will be run at an end-to-end gallop and I can just picture him coming there swinging before showing the best acceleration up the hill. American Mike is respected but his sire have never had a Cheltenham winner.

I’m quite surprised James’s Gate is as big as he is given the way he won on debut. He was heavily backed that day so they clearly knew what they had with him and he did impress. The yard have done well in this with third/fourth strings in the past so I’m not ruling him out but Facile Vega just brings that star potential to the table and will likely prove really tough to beat. Viva Devito was also given a good mention by those associated with the yard and might be another monster price worth considering but perhaps only in terms of a place.


Weatherbys Champion Bumper

Cheltenham Wednesday 5.30 Facile Vega (best price 6/4) NOTEBOOK


Cheltenham Festival Day 2 Selections ADD ALL TO BET365 BET SLIP

Ballymore 1.30 Sir Gerhard

Brown Advisory 2.10 Bravemansgame

Coral Cup 2.50 Gowel Road

Champion Chase 3.30 Shishkin NAP

Glenfarclas Chase 4.10 Tiger Roll NEXT BEST

Grand Annual 4.50 Embittered

Champion Bumper 5.30 Facile Vega NOTEBOOK

Cheltenham Festival Daily Double

The Daily Double consists of both the NAP and NB and is a great way of covering our two best bets on day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival to try and maximise profit.


Cheltenham Festival Daily Double

Cheltenham 3.30 Shishkin NAP

Cheltenham 4.10 Tiger Roll NEXT BEST

Pays 4/1!

Cheltenham Festival Day 2 Lucky 15

Plenty more big prices on Day 2 of the Festival so we’ve included another Lucky 15. We recommend backing this each way given the odds and we’d only need a couple of winners/ some places to make a decent return.


Cheltenham Festival Day 2 Lucky 15

Cheltenham 2.10 Bravemansgame

Cheltenham 2.50 Gowel Road

Cheltenham 4.50 Embittered

Cheltenham 5.30 Facile Vega

Pays 1,300/1!