If day one of the Cheltenham Festival sets the tone, day two usually turns up the volume.
Wednesday’s card is headlined by the Queen Mother Champion Chase, where the spotlight falls firmly on Majborough as he looks to put last season’s Arkle disappointment firmly behind him.
But it’s far from a one-race afternoon. The Turners Novices’ Hurdle is packed with improving types, the Brown Advisory looks wide open, and the handicaps will inevitably provide the usual mix of chaos and value.
In short, there are betting opportunities everywhere if you’re willing to take a strong view.
Cheltenham Festival Day Two Tips
- 1:20 I’ll Sort That – 16/1 (each-way)
- 2:00 Romeo Coolio – 4/1
- 2:40 Kopeck De Mee – 9/1 (each-way)
- 3:20 Favori De Champdou – 5/2
- 4:00 Majborough – 10/11
- 4:40 Vanderpoel – 8/1 (each-way)
- 5:20 The Irish Avatar – 8/1 (each-way)
*Odds subject to change.
Cheltenham Festival 1:20 – Grade 1 Turners Novices’ Hurdle (2m5f)
This looks like a deep renewal of the Turners, but the betting might be slightly skewed towards reputation rather than substance.
No Drama This End has been popular in the market ever since his course-and-distance win earlier in the season. He’s done little wrong since, but there’s a sense he might ultimately prove even better over fences. In a race this competitive, that makes him opposable at the prices.
The Dublin Racing Festival form involving Ballyfad and King Rasko Grey reads well enough, yet neither gave the impression they were sitting on a dominant performance.
Instead, the horse who appeals most is I’ll Sort That.
His victory at Naas in the Grade 1 Ballymore Novice Hurdle may not have grabbed the headlines, but it was the performance of a horse with plenty in reserve. Sortudo looked the likely winner approaching the last that day, but once challenged, I’ll Sort That dug deep and kicked on again, pulling clear where it mattered.
Coming from the Declan Queally yard means he’s avoided the hype surrounding some of the bigger stables, but the form stacks up, and 16/1 looks far too big.
- Selection: I’ll Sort That 16/1 (each-way)
- Danger: Sortudo 12/1
Cheltenham Festival 2:00 – Grade 1 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (3m1f)
The Brown Advisory often throws up a standout staying novice, but this year’s edition feels much more open.
Final Demand was once spoken about as a potential star, yet his defeat at the Dublin Racing Festival raised a few more uncomfortable questions surrounding the hype. Being beaten twelve lengths by Kaid d’Authie isn’t easily brushed aside, and now he has to prove he truly stays three miles.
That uncertainty surrounding him leaves him there to be taken on, and the late decision to declare Romeo Coolio bring a whole new look to this.
Already a three-time Grade 1 winner, he has done very little wrong since switching to fences. His two wins over two miles and his Drinmore Novices’ Chase victory all suggest that he was crying out for further.
Stepping up to three miles here is a bold move, but the right one.
If he handles the trip, Romeo Coolio could simply outclass them.
- Selection: Romeo Coolio 4/1
- Danger: Koktail Divin 9/1
Cheltenham Festival 2:40 – BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle (2m5f)
Handicaps at the Cheltenham Festival are rarely straightforward, and this one, formerly the Coral Cup, is always a punter’s puzzle.
Plenty will take their chances here, and there are arguments for runners like The Yellow Clay, Ballyadam, and Farren Glory.
However, the horse that stands out as potentially well-treated is Kopeck De Mee.
He was heavily backed for the Martin Pipe last year but effectively beat himself by racing far too keenly. That effort is easy to forgive, particularly given the ability he showed later at Aintree.
Now returning to hurdles after a short, unsuccessful campaign over fences, he could easily bounce back.
If he settles early, which is the key factor, his rating of 143 may well be within reach.
In a race where you often need to take a chance on something slightly risky, he looks worth it.
- Selection: Kopeck De Mee 9/1 (each-way)
- Danger: Farren Glory 25/1
Cheltenham Festival 3:20 – Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase (3m5½f)
The Cross Country is always a specialist contest, and experience around the unique Cheltenham track counts for plenty.
Last year’s winner, Stumptown, commands respect but hasn’t been seen since winning the Velka Pardubicka in October. That absence leaves just enough doubt to take him on.
Favori De Champdou, on the other hand, arrives here in excellent form.
His victory in the Paddy Power Chase showed he still retains plenty of ability, and he followed it up by winning impressively over this very course in January.
With proven course form and solid recent performances, he looks the most reliable option in the field and the one who can continue to improve around the cross-country course.
- Selection: Favori De Champdou 5/2
- Danger: Stumptown 11/4
Cheltenham Festival 4:00 – Grade 1 Queen Mother Champion Chase (2m)
Everything about this race revolves around Majborough.
His Arkle defeat last year still lingers in the memory, but it’s easy to forget he made two costly mistakes late on and still nearly managed to win.
Since then, the tweaks made by Willie Mullins and Mark Walsh appear to have sharpened him considerably. The addition of cheekpieces and a more aggressive ride has brought out the best in him.
His display at the Dublin Racing Festival suggests that he is now operating at a level above his rivals.
If he produces a clean round of jumping, this could quickly turn into a procession.
Quilixios was still in contention when falling at the last in last season’s renewal, but he may simply bump into a better horse this time, and looks a solid each-way alternative.
- Selection: Majborough 10/11
- Danger: Quilixios 10/1
Cheltenham Festival 4:40 – Grand Annual Handicap Chase (2m)
The Grand Annual is usually run at a relentless pace, and horses who travel well and jump accurately thrive in this setup.
Jazzy Matty returns to defend his crown and could easily run another big race off 7lbs higher and a wind operation, while Be Aware has been admirably consistent over fences and looks on a fair mark.
But the runner who could still have plenty of room for improvement is VANDERPOLE.
Despite his limited experience, he has already built an impressive record with four wins from just seven starts. His last two victories over fences have suggested he is progressing at a rate of knots.
More importantly, his running style, travelling smoothly before finishing strongly, looks ideal for a race of this nature.
With such a lightly raced profile, there’s every chance the handicapper hasn’t got anywhere near to the ceiling of the Ben Pauling-trained gelding.
- Selection: Vanderpoel 8/1 (each-way)
- Danger: Touch Me Not – 22/1
Cheltenham Festival 5:20 – Grade 1 Champion Bumper (2m½f)
The Champion Bumper often throws up a future star, but predicting which one it will be is never easy.
One horse who could easily take a big step forward here is THE IRISH AVATAR.
His debut performance was visually impressive,and it has worked out well with the runner-up bolting up on his next start.
Although Patrick Mullins has opted to ride Love Sign d’Aunou, reports from the yard suggest The Irish Avatar has been working extremely well, and Patrick may have picked the wrong one. If he improves as expected from his first run, he could easily emerge as one of the leading horses to come out of the Cheltenham Festival.
The Mourne Rambler was good when winning last time and is one of many in with live chances.
- Selection: The Irish Avatar 8/1 (each-way)
- Danger: The Mourne Rambler 10/1
