The BIG Cheltenham Festival Preview: Day 2

The BIG Cheltenham Festival Preview: Day 2



13.20 - Turners Novice Hurdle

Our first race of day 2 is the Turner's novice Hurdle and I've been quite keen to take on The New Lion in this race so I'm siding the Nathanial Lacy winner Final Demand. He was so impressive at the DRF and although a lot of people think he'd be better suited stepping up in trip, I think he could gallop the rest of the field into the ground here and put some of the speedier types such as The New Lion under pressure early doors.

One here I like who I believe is overpriced is The Yellow Clay. He's unbeaten over hurdles this season and was very impressive in the Lawlor's of Naas back in January on ground that he wouldn't have preferred. He'll also need a strongly run race and hope this doesn't turn into a sprint but either way I cant see him outside of the places.


Selection: Final Demand


Danger: The Yellow Clay 


Star Rating: 4/5


14.00 - Brown Advisory Novices' Chase

There's been quite a big split of opinion on this race and although I understand both points, I do think Ballyburn might just have a little bit too much class for this lot, especially on quicker ground. The step up in trip at the DRF definitely suited him and I think he'll get better the further he goes despite there being question marks over his Jumping. In my opinion his speed and touch of class will get him out of trouble here, however out of the short priced favourites of the week he wouldn't be the one I'm strongest on.

The biggest danger here in my opinion would be Betterdaysahead for Gordon Elliot. He's 2/3 over fences this season and was only beaten a short head by stable companion Croke Park over Christmas at Leopardstown. He's what you would call and out and out stayer and if this race turns into a proper 3 mile test, It'll be very hard to see him outside of the 3 at least.

Selection: Ballyburn


Danger: Betterdaysahead


Star Rating: 3/5


14.40 - Coral Cup

I must admit this isn't a race I have a massive opinion on but if you had to push me to a bet I'd probably side with Impose Toi for Nicky Henderson. We haven't seen him since November at Newbury beating the likes of Guard Your Dreams over 2m4f however off a mark of 141 he remains relatively unexposed over this trip and at double figure odds could be a cracking each-way bet.

I think it's fair to say we have to Be Aware of the favourite here. (terrible joke I know) however Dan Skelton has a great record in this race as we saw for the last 2 years with Langer Dan. He comes in here with some solid form dating back to the first meeting at Cheltenham where he finished behind Burdett Road in the Greatwood Hurdle. Off a mark of 137 he could be very dangerous indeed.

Selection: Impose Toi


Danger: Be Aware


Star Rating: 2/5


15.20 - Cross Country Chase

This one is the 2nd race of the meeting that has changed into a handicap for this years meeting however unlike the the others, I don't think it's going to make too much of a difference to the outcome. I still feel the classier types are going to prevail here and for that reason I'm siding with Galvin. Good course form, ideal ground conditions and you know exactly what you're going to get from him so to me this seems like a solid bet.

It would be silly to completely dismiss the favourites chances here after winning over course and distance here in November however the handicapper has come down hard on Stumptown for that victory and might be too big a hill to climb off a mark off 157. Having said that he is definitely the one to beat and will be there or thereabouts I'm sure.

Selection: Galvin


Danger: Stumptown


Star Rating: 4/5


16.00 - Champion Chase

Our feature race on day 2 is the Champion Chase which is a event that has seen 1 or 2 upsets over the past few years and I'm predicting another one here by siding with Marine Nationale. I've been wanting to take on the favourite in this race all year and was very keen to do so with Energumene however it doesn't look like ground conditions will be in his favour due to the lack of rain we've had, so I've decided to go with one that the drying conditions will suit. He was very eye catching at Leopardstown last time out running behind Solness in the Dublin Chase and if he can get himself into a good rhythm I could see him flying up that hill and causing an upset. 

The obvious danger here is of course Jonbon and in all honesty this is a race he should win, but for a reason I can't explain I just don't fancy him in a race that has a tendency of falling apart. However regardless of what I think He's still well within his right to go and win this and it wouldn't be the biggest shock to anyone if he did. 

Selection: Marine Nationale 


Danger: Jonbon


Star Rating: 3/5

16.40 - Grand Annual Chase

This race marks one of my stronger handicap fancies of the week and I'm going with last years winner Unexpected Party. He comes into this race only 6lbs higher than the mark he won it off last year and it's looked quite obvious that this has been the plan again all season. We've seen him running in Graded races for most of the year and the Skelton team have managed to get him back down to a workable mark in doing so and will come into this race again with a huge chance.

I'd also give a small chance to JPR one here. Although He's off top weight I think he's definitely the class angle in the race and has more than held his own in graded company this season. It'll be a tough ask for him to go and win this but at 10/1 I could see him hitting the frame at least.


Selection: Unexpected Party


Danger/EW: JPR One


Star Rating: 4/5


17.20 - Champion Bumper

The final race of day 2 is the Champion Bumper and I'm going with Gordon Elliot trained Kalypso' Chance. We didn't see him at the DRF and he seems to have been forgotten about as a result but judging him off his 2 runs I cant find much there's not to like. He seems a very fair price at the moment and with a new Willie Mullins horse being pushing into favourite every other week I feel this lad could be going under the radar and has a big big chance.

I suppose the dangers would come in the shape of the Willie Mullins brigade with the likes of Copacabana and Gameofinches who were both visually impressive on the first runs and have every right to improve for it. I guess whichever one Patrick rides would be the main threat but out of the 2 I'd be more cautious of Gameofinches.  


Selection: Kalypso' Chance


Danger: Gameofinches


Star Rating: 3/5



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