2019 Cheltenham Festival Day 2 Results

There was speculation as to whether the days racing would go ahead but after an inspection early in the morning, it was confirmed day two was well and truly on. The first race to get us underway was the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle.

Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle 2019 – City Island

No non-runners for the first race of the day meant we had 16 going off. Seddon being ridden by Noel Fehily got off to a great start and led for the majority of the race. Valdieu at 66/1 kept pace with Seddon, but as they got to the home turn both horses fell further back into the pack.

As they approached the final hurdle it was between Champ and City Island, with the favorite, Battleoverdoyen at 3/1, nowhere to be seen. Champ, who was the second favorite didn’t jump as well over the final hurdle and City Island was first over the line by two lengths. The 8/1 winner was a fantastic start to the day for trainer Martin Brassall and jockey Mark Walsh. Champ (9/2) finished second with Bright Forecast (25/1) coming in third.

Thankfully there were no fallers but four did pull up including Battleoverdoyen.

RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase – Topofthegame.

In the day’s second race we had 12 horses running to try and take home the first place prize of £98K. Gordon Elliott’s Delta Work went off as the favorite at 15/8 with Santini just behind in the odds at 3/1.

All 12 of the horses got off to a good start clearing the first five fences with Drinks Interval taking the lead after being at the back. Unfortunately, for Top Ville Ben the sixth fence was to be his last of the day as he fell when in second place. The Worlds End (16/1) set a very good pace but couldn’t sustain it with four fences to go.

Delta Work took the lead coming into the home turn. As they reached the last fence it was between Santini, Delta Work, and Topofthegame (4/1). It was a very tight finish but Harry Cobden managed to guide the former home by half a length to win the race.

Top Ville Ben was the only faller but three other horses pulled up.

Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle – William Henry

25 horses were in the running for this race with Joke Dancer being a non-runner due to unsustainable ground. Going into the race Uradel, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Ruby Walsh was the favorite at 13/2. Monbeg Theatre took to the front of the pack after the first hurdle and sustained that position until three to go.

With two to go, it was still a tight affair with Cracking Smart leading the way. Coming up to the last hurdle Brio Conte started to make a move for the front with Wicklow Brave. However, after the last hurdle, it was time for William Henry to make his move. Nico de Boinville timed it perfectly and stormed to the front from sixth. The horse, trained by Nicky Henderson, won by a nose and was a fantastic winner at 28/1.

Six horses pulled up in this race with no fallers.

Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase – Altior

The Grade 1 race was the biggest race of the day for two reasons. The winner would be taking home £225K and the fact that the formidable Altior was running. No surprise Altior went off as the favorite for this race at 4/11, with trainer Nicky Henderson hoping they would make it 18 wins in a row.

This was the shortest race of the day at 1m 7f, with Saint Calvados and Altior making headway straight from the start. The two horses kept the gap from the rest of the pack until three out where they all closed back up. As they hit the home turn Nico de Boinville started making his way to the front. However, as they jumped the final fence it looked like Sceau Royal (16/1) was going to cause the upset of the festival.

As they were half a furlong to go we saw the true Altior. He pushed himself forward and kept his Champion Chase crown beating Politlogue (11/1) by 2 lengths.

Again there were no fallers and it was only God’s Own who pulled up.

Glenfarclas Chase  – Tiger Roll

The longest race of the day saw 15 horses jumping 32 fences. There was a lot of attention on this race with Tiger Roll running, who is looking to be a clear favorite for the 2019 Grand National. As such Tiger Roll went off on odds of 5/4. The winner of the race would receive £40K.

Kingswell Theatre (33/1) led for a lot of the race with Fact Of The Matter just behind and keeping pace. As they jumped the 21st fence Tea For Two (12/1) unseated rider Lizzy Kelly. After they jumped the split fence, with six to go, Tiger Roll started to apply pressure to Kingswell Theatre. With three to go Tiger Roll jumped well and then set off to take a commanding lead.

As they approached the final furlong Tiger Roll got his fourth Cheltenham win with no other horses in sight as he crossed the finishing line. He now prepares for next months 2019 Grand National.

Four horses pulled up and Tea For Two unseated their rider. Hurricane Darwin was a self-certified non-runner.

Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle – Band Of Outlaws

The second to last race of the day had 21 horses running. Band Of Outlaws, trained by Joseph O’Brien, went off as the favorite at 7/2.

Torpillo (14/1) took the early lead with Cracker Factory (50/1) keeping pace. As they race got towards the later fences both horses faded allowing Praecaps to take the lead with three to go. Band Of Outlaws bided his time well and started making headway with five to go.

As they reached the last hurdle J J Slevin took control of the race and Band Of Outlaws was soon out of reach of the rest of the field. A good win for everyone involved with the prize money for first being £45K.

Two horses pulled up in this one and Beat The Judge was a non-runner due to the ground being unsuitable.

Weatherbys Champion Bumper – Envoi Allen

The last race of Ladies Day at Cheltenham saw 14 horses racing in a flat race across 2m½f. The favorite for this race changed throughout the day between Blue Sarri and Envoi Allen, but the latter went off at the lowest price at 2/1.

Some Detail (100/1) set the pace for the majority of this race with all the horses in a tight pack. As they came down the hill Blue Sarri was on the heels of the leaders and making headway. As they reached the final three-furlongs Envoi Allen made a move for the front.

As they approached the final furlong it was a two horse race between Blue Sarri and Envoi Allen. J J Codd managed to fend off the challenge of Barry Geraghty and get a second win at the festival for Gordon Elliot.

In this race there were no fallers, no one pulled up and no non-runners.