After an action-packed opening day, it’s time for one more dose of Cheltenham fever – and our man within the know Jason Heavey is available to offer you his finest bets for the second afternoon.
Jason, the reigning Racing Post National Press Challenge champion, has gone via the cardboard for Daily Star Sport, selecting out some stay probabilities at attention-grabbing costs for the day’s motion, together with one of many highlights of the week, the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
13:30 GALLAGHER NOVICES HURDLE
It is unattainable to get away from BALLYBURN. He spearheads a five-strong problem from the Willie Mullins yard that seems to have frightened away the opposition.
Unbeaten in bumpers, he has gone from energy to energy this 12 months culminating in a seven size Grade One success on the Dublin Racing Festival. That was over two miles however earlier he had strolled to success over 2m 4f.
The debate over which race Ballyburn was going to run in was one of many speaking factors of the Cheltenham preview circuit and I believe that is the proper one. Of his stablemates, Ile Atlantique is the second favorite however he was crushed at his first stab at this journey on his newest begin and could also be higher over two miles.
Predators Gold has some stable type whereas Jimmy Du Seuil and Mercurey should enhance on what they’ve proven. Handstands is the strongest residence challenger and is unbeaten in 4 races. Harry Cobden liked him when he steered him to victory within the Sidney Banks at Huntingdon and he’s an apparent each-way play at 14-1.
But Jingko Blue, who’s rated 17lb inferior to the favorite, and received a Sandown handicap below 12 stone, may very well be even higher place worth at 20-1 with bet365.
TIP: BALLYBURN
Each-way: Jingko Blue
14:10 BROWN ADVISORY NOVICES CHASE
STAY AWAY FAY is fancied to get the higher of what appears to be like like a straight shootout with Fact To File. Irish pundits have been purring over the flexibility of Fact To File who will go off yet one more red-hot favorite for Willie Mullins.
But the 10-3 about Stay Away Fay holds loads extra enchantment from a punting perspective. Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden have exuded a quiet confidence over their seven-year-old who has already danced the Festival dance in profitable final 12 months’s Albert Bartlett.
(Image: Getty)
He has stamina in abundance and couldn’t have gained a greater fencing expertise than being pitted in on the deep finish within the Cotswold Chase, the place he stayed on properly to be third behind The Real Whacker and Capodanno.
I fancy him to outstay Fact To File. The latter was imperious in profitable a Grade One on the Dublin Racing Festival however right this moment’s contest is over an additional three furlongs and aside from profitable some extent to level he’s unproven on the journey.
American Mike really beat Fact To File over 2m 4f in November and though he is usually a bit out and in he’s overpriced at a 12-1
TIP: STAY AWAY FAY
Each-way: American Mike
14:50 CORAL CUP
Nicky Henderson’s horses could also be off form however I fancy him to win this race with one among his three runners. In the top DODDIETHEGREAT simply appears to tick each field and he will get the nod forward of Lucky Place.
Victory would cap a exceptional comeback for this horse who severed a tendon when profitable at Kempton in 2021. He was nursed again to well being and health and it was an emotional success when he received on his comeback at Ascot in November.
He has put in two terrific efforts since, solely enjoying second fiddle to the helpful Go Dante (conceding 6lb) and was then a quick ending fourth within the Betfair Hurdle to Iberico Lord.
(Image: Getty)
He guarantees to remain the journey properly and Nico De Boinville prefers him to his stablemates. Lucky Place has very sturdy novice hurdle type and charges. an enormous hazard whereas Henderson can be candy on First Street.
Sa Majeste will go off favorite and is one other Willie Mullins speaking horse whereas Martin Brassil’s Built By Ballymore will relish each drop of rain. Maxxum is attention-grabbing at 40-1. He ran properly within the Pertemps final 12 months and has been posting good efforts lately. The drop in journey and Jake Coen’s 3lb declare places him in with a spot likelihood.
TIP: DODDIETHEGREAT
Each-way: Maxxum
15:30 QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE
A 3-way battle in what may very well be the race of the assembly if the large trio all deliver their A-game. El Fabiolo is a worthy favorite however 8-15 is a foolish value and I’m going to take an opportunity on EDWARDSTONE leaping his rivals into the bottom.
His all-the-way victory within the Game Spirit Chase was extremely spectacular and got here from a change of techniques. Instead of making an attempt to carry him up, Tom Cannon got down to make it a robust gallop and obtained his horse into a stunning leaping rhythm whereas his rivals made errors.
(Image: The Jockey Club/PA Wire)
I believe related techniques are the one means Edwardstone can beat El Fabiolo and Jonbon – by forcing them out of their consolation zone. The absence of Editeur Du Gite means he may get a straightforward lead and the 8-1 appears to be like like a possible reward.
Jonbon made a shuddering error and was typically sloppy final trip however nonetheless nearly received whereas El Fabiolo has a peerless six from six document over fences. If Edwardstone doesn’t go quick sufficient, he may set it up for the opposite two.
It is tough trying past the large three however you will get any value for Funambule Sivola (125-1) and he was second on this race two years in the past.
TIP: EDWARDSTONE
Each-way: Funambule Sivola
16:10 GLENFARCLAS CROSS COUNTRY CHASE
DELTA WORK can full a well-known hat-trick on this distinctive occasion. He broke Tiger Roll’s coronary heart by profitable two years in the past after which obtained the higher of one other stablemate Galvin final 12 months.
He has had a reasonably quiet time this season as Gordon Elliott plots victory on the Festival once more with the 11-year-old however he can be recent and is most well-liked to Minella Indo and Galvin once more.
(Image: Getty Images)
Former Gold Cup hero Minella Indo ran properly over the cross nation monitor in a handicap in November and is now operating off stage weights. His Grade One days may be behind him however he appears to be like greater than able to pushing Delta Work right here.
Galvin appears to be like a good wager to chase them each up the hill whereas one other Elliott horse Coko Beach additionally holds sturdy claims. It is tough to envisage the winner from coming outdoors the 4 market leaders though Foxy Jacks at 14-1 has received across the monitor and is one for each-way backers.
TIP: DELTA WORK
EACH-WAY: Foxy Jacks
16:50 GRAND ANNUAL CHASE
MADARA may give Sophie Leech her greatest profession success in a usually aggressive renewal. The five-year-old is progressing quick with victories at Cheltenham and on the Dublin Racing Festival.
The former French-trained gelding had some good type in heavy floor earlier than his swap to the UK and the testing situations will maintain no worry.
He has loads of monitor expertise having run thrice at Prestbury Park this season and regardless of a 10lb hike within the weights for his Leopardstown success he can discover extra enchancment. He beat Path D’oroux in Ireland and Gavin Cromwell’s beast is 7lb higher off so there shouldn’t be a lot between them.
(Image: PA Wire)
Last 12 months’s winner Maskada is a big menace although he’s 7lb increased this 12 months whereas Libberty Hunter has a likeable profile and the added bonus of Harry Cobden on his again. Harper’s Brook is one other with sturdy claims – he’s very proficient albeit a bit headstrong and his canny coach is aware of what it takes to win this contest.
Place backers have loads to go at and with the bottom resembling the Somme it may pay to comply with Venetia Williams’ horses, so Gemirande at 50-1 is price a couple of each-way shillings.
TIP: MADARA
Each-way: Gemirande
17:30 CHAMPION BUMPER
Willie Mullins has 9 of the 24 runners and has received this race a dozen instances. Working out his finest likelihood is hard sufficient however I’ve gone for JASMIN DE VAUX though it’s a little bit of a guess-up.
He couldn’t have been extra spectacular on his Naas debut when he scooted via the delicate floor to win by 15 lengths. That was over 2m 2f so his stamina appears to be like assured. Patrick Mullins will get the leg up and he has ridden the winner of this race thrice.
This is usually a tough race and securing an honest place whereas settling your horse is essential. Jalon D’oudairies appears to be like the decide of Gordon Elliott’s runners and the coach has described him as a “proper horse” whereas Cantico is the selection of Paul Townend suggesting he may very well be close to th high of the Mullins’ battalion.
Sixmilebridge is held within the highest regard by Ben Pauling and together with Paul Nicholls Teeshan may very well be the strongest of the house problem.
TIP: JASMIN DE VAUX
Each-way: Sixmilebridge