The second day of the Cheltenham Festival delivers another outstanding afternoon of racing. Wednesday has built a reputation for producing some of the most memorable moments of the meeting, beginning with the novice contests and finishing with the ever-popular Champion Bumper.
The headline race on Day 2 is the Queen Mother Champion Chase, one of the most prestigious races of the entire week.
Alongside that feature, the card includes several major supporting contests such as the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase and the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase. With large fields, strong teams from Britain and Ireland, and several wide-open betting markets, Wednesday regularly provides some of the most competitive racing of the Festival. With that in mind, here are our Day 2 tips for Cheltenham.
1:20 – Turners Novices' Hurdle
The Turners Novices’ Hurdle sees a field of 22 runners lining up over 2 miles and 5 furlongs. It has developed into one of the key novice hurdle contests of the Festival and often highlights staying hurdlers who later progress into the top open races.
No Drama This End (5/1) heads the market after making an impressive start to his hurdling career. Trained by Paul Nicholls, he has adapted quickly after beginning in bumpers and has already secured two Grade 2 victories this season. His success in the Challow Hurdle at Newbury was particularly convincing and suggested he has the ability to handle a race of this nature. If he settles well early, he should be firmly involved when the race begins to unfold up the hill.
Skylight Hustle (17/2) is another runner who has caught the eye this season for Gordon Elliott. After an easy maiden hurdle win at Fairyhouse, he quickly stepped up in class to land a Grade 1 at Leopardstown. Although he benefited from a rival’s late mistake that day, he still had the strength to finish strongly and confirm his progress.
Sober (8/1) has attracted considerable attention in the betting market. Trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Patrick Mullins, he began his career on the Flat in France and demonstrated his stamina when winning the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot. Since turning to hurdles he remains unbeaten, most recently landing the Grade 2 Moscow Flyer at Punchestown. That race was over a shorter trip, but his background suggests this longer distance should suit him well.
TIP: Sober
CHIEF THREAT: No Drama This End
E/W OUTSIDER: I’ll Sort That
2:00 – Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
The Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase is run over 3 miles and 1 furlong and regularly produces one of the strongest staying novice performances of the week. This year’s race features a competitive field of 16 runners.
Romeo Coolio (4/1) has been particularly impressive since going chasing for Gordon Elliott. He has won all four of his starts over fences this season, including two Grade 1 victories at Leopardstown. Those wins came over slightly shorter distances, but his running style suggests stepping up in trip should suit him. If he settles into a steady rhythm early in the race, he looks a leading contender.
Wendigo (8/1) is another horse whose profile continues to improve. Since starting his chasing career he has steadily moved forward, highlighted by a Grade 2 victory at Newbury. He later confirmed his stamina with a win over three miles at Ayr and produced a respectable third behind Kitzbuhel in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase. With further improvement possible, he could be one of the main rivals to the favourite.
Western Fold (14/1) may appeal to those looking for an each-way option. His first season over fences was relatively quiet, but he has improved significantly during this campaign. Success in the Galway Plate and a Grade 2 victory at Gowran demonstrate his ability, while his second-place finish behind Kaid D’authie at Leopardstown last time was another solid effort.
TIP: Romeo Coolio
CHIEF THREAT: Wendigo
E/W OUTSIDER: Western Fold
2:40 – BetMGM (Coral) Cup Handicap Hurdle
The BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle is one of the major betting races of the Festival. This year’s contest features a full field of 26 runners tackling 2 miles and 5 furlongs around Cheltenham.
Iberico Lord (10/1), trained by Nicky Henderson, looks an interesting contender. He arrives following a strong victory earlier in the season and appears to have been given a workable handicap mark. Course form can often be important in races like this and his overall profile suggests he could play a leading role.
Storm Heart (6/1), representing Willie Mullins, looks the most obvious threat. Since returning from a break he has improved steadily and arrives here after a pair of solid wins which indicate he may still be progressing.
At bigger odds, Farren Glory (20/1) could appeal as an each-way possibility. Gordon Elliott’s runner has been very consistent without always managing to win, but that reliability could see him involved in the finish if the race unfolds in his favour.
TIP: Iberico Lord
CHIEF THREAT: Storm Heart
E/W OUTSIDER: Farren Glory
3:20 – Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
The Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase is one of the most distinctive races of the Festival. Run over the banks course across 3 miles and 5 furlongs, it presents a unique challenge with its unusual obstacles and twisting layout.
Stumptown (3/1), last year’s winner, returns with strong claims of repeating the achievement. Trained by Gavin Cromwell, he has proven extremely effective in cross-country races and already has an excellent record over this course and distance. Since last year’s Festival he has added another notable victory by winning the famous Velka Pardubicka, one of Europe’s toughest races.
Favori De Champdou (5/2) looks the main rival. Gordon Elliott’s veteran has been enjoying a productive season, winning the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas before following up with success over the Cheltenham cross-country course on Trials Day.
Conflated (25/1) may be worth consideration at a larger price. Although the extended trip raises questions, the former Grade 1 winner still showed ability when finishing third behind Vanillier at Punchestown on his recent return.
TIP: Stumptown
CHIEF THREAT: Favori De Champdou
E/W OUTSIDER: Conflated
4:00 – Queen Mother Champion Chase
The Queen Mother Champion Chase is run over just short of two miles and demands exceptional speed and accurate jumping. At this level, even the smallest mistake can prove costly.
Il Etait Temps (5/1) represents Willie Mullins and looks a strong contender. Earlier in the season he produced impressive performances when winning both the Clonmel Oil Chase and the Tingle Creek, beating high-class opposition. His fall two fences from home in the Clarence House Chase was unfortunate, but if he returns to his Sandown form he has the ability to win a race of this quality.
Majborough (10/11) arrives with a growing reputation as one of the most exciting two-mile chasers currently racing. His performance at the Dublin Racing Festival was particularly striking, dominating a Grade 1 field and finishing well clear of rivals he meets again here. While his jumping has occasionally been questioned, a clean round would make him extremely difficult to beat.
Quilixios (10/1) could prove interesting at a bigger price. He was travelling strongly in this race last year before falling late on, suggesting Cheltenham suits him well. Despite a break from racing, he has previously run well when fresh.
TIP: Il Etait Temps
CHIEF THREAT: Majborough
E/W OUTSIDER: Quilixios
4:40 – Grand Annual Challenge Cup
The Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase is regularly one of the quickest races of the entire Festival and often produces a dramatic finish.
Inthepocket (8/1) is one runner who stands out. His chasing career has been somewhat inconsistent, but he showed promise in a competitive Leopardstown handicap recently. With conditions likely to suit, he could be well placed to feature prominently.
Last year’s winner Jazzy Matty (8/1) returns in an attempt to defend his crown and must be respected. He won this race convincingly twelve months ago and appears to have been aimed back at the same target.
Be Aware has also caught the eye this season for Dan Skelton. His performances in several strong novice races suggest he could have a role to play.
Rubaud (25/1) is another horse who may outrun his odds. Trained by Paul Nicholls, he has previously shown good form in graded company and a return to a strongly run two-mile handicap chase could bring out his best.
TIP: Jazzy Matty
CHIEF THREAT: Be Aware
E/W OUTSIDER: Rubaud
5:20 – Champion Bumper
The Champion Bumper brings the second day of the Festival to a close and often introduces future stars of the sport. The race is run over just over two miles with no obstacles and typically attracts a large and talented field of young horses.
Keep Him Company (8/1) represents Gordon Elliott and has an unbeaten record after two bumper wins under Rules. His latest success at Leopardstown was particularly impressive and suggests he belongs at this level.
Love Sign D’aunou (5/1) could be the main threat. One of several runners from the powerful Willie Mullins stable, he made a strong impression when winning comfortably at Naas on his Rules debut following earlier point-to-point success. With Patrick Mullins in the saddle and the stable’s excellent record in this race, he commands serious respect.
At larger odds, With Nolimit (28/1) could provide each-way interest if continuing his progression.
TIP: Keep Him Company
CHIEF THREAT: Love Sign D’aunou
E/W OUTSIDER: With Nolimit
Day 2 at Cheltenham rarely disappoints, and this year’s card looks no different. With several high-class races, a strong Champion Chase, and competitive handicaps throughout the afternoon, Wednesday promises another memorable day at the Festival. As always, a surprise or two could appear along the way once the racing begins.
Good luck with your bets and enjoy another superb afternoon at Cheltenham.
BETFRED
