1.30 Neptune Investment Novices’ Hurdle (2m5f – Grade 1)
I’ve already spoke about Nichols Canyon in the Supreme Novices’ and the fact that Mullins is likely to enter the horse here is testament to its chances. Nichols Canyon won the Deloitte with any amount in hand and when you look at Willie Mullins’ last two winners of that race (Vautour and Champagne Fever) it is eye catching that Nichols Canyon goes here instead of the shorter Supreme Novices. Nichols Canyon’s pedigree suggests that the horse will improve for this greater test of stamina and if the horse shows any amount of improvement here, it must go close.
This race usually goes to a horse with a bit of experience so for that reason I’m also backing Parlour Games. John Ferguson’s horse has already won here at Cheltenham and has raced a total of 7 times over hurdles. This is another horse with plenty of stamina in its pedigree and has already showed that with 2 wins over this distance already. If there’s any doubts over whether a few of the field will get home if a good pace is set, there is no doubt over Parlour Games’ stamina.
Main bet – Nichols Canyon
Smaller bet – Parlour Games
2.05 RSA Chase (3m½f – Grade 1)
Don Poli is of massive interest for me. Mullins has decided to run this his horse here instead of the 4m race on Day 1 and that is a tip in itself. I speak more about the chance of this race turning into a big test of stamina further down and this will suit Don Poli for sure. There is plenty of pace in this race and this will play into Don Poli’s hands. Don Poli is without a doubt my main bet on Day 2 and if he doesn’t go close then I will be very surprised.
Tom Scudamore was interviewed on ATR the other day and really bigged up Kings Palace’s chances. Kings Palace is 3 from 3 over fences and has won at Cheltenham 4 times already. That being said, the horse has also disappointed here at Cheltenham too as he started the 5/2 fav for the Albert Bartlett during last years Festival and was already beaten when falling. There is no doubt that Kings Palace will try and make all but if he gets taken on for the lead (which is likely), it could play into the hands of a horse that tracks the leaders and has stamina to last out the 3 miles.
Southfield Theatre and The Young Master have been known to make all the running themselves, so the pace here could be frantic!
Southfield Theatre wants good ground and has solid Cheltenham form.
The Young Master has talent but could be outclassed.
This race is likely to be a cracker but i fully expect Don Poli to expose his rivals in the final couple of furlongs.
Main bet – Don Poli
Smaller bet – Kings Palace
2.40 Coral Cup (2m5f – Grade 3)
This is a tough handicap hurdle race where a double figured priced horse has won 9 of the last 10 races.
I usually like to back horses below 11st in handicap races like this and David Pipe usually takes my eye if he books one of his apprentice’s to ride.
I quite liked Buywise and Unique De Cotte but they have been pulled before the final declarations.
It’s a risky one but Marinero has a pedigree for longer distance races and although you’d have to take a chance on his lasting the longer distance he has won over 2m2f’s already which was his first step up in trip. Small bet on this one for me.
At the other end of the scale, one horse that will definitely get home is Bear’s Affair. Nicky Henderson has booked apprentice Freddy Mitchell for the ride who claims 7. Bear’s Affair has won over 3m1f and he could be worth another few quid each way.
Small bet each way – Marinero
Small bet each way – Bear’s Affair
3.20 Queen Mother Champion Chase (2m – Grade 1)
This is all about Sprinter Sacre and how much you believe the horse has recovered from a heart injury. Now Nicky Henderson would have you believe that he is as good as ever and whilst I want to believe him, there is always an element of doubt. He was off for 13 months and then returned to race at Ascot in January at 4/6 favourite. Sprinter Sacre was pulling a bit too hard in the early stages for my liking but looked the winner as he jumped into 2nd place 4 out. As they hit the home straight Dodging Bullets had got up on the outside of Sprinter Sacre but even as they jumped 2 out, I still thought Geraghty had the race won. However, Dodging Bullets took lead just before the last fence and recorded a deserved win.
Now I have the opinion that Sprinter Sacre ran really well after an 18 month break and that he is bound to come on for that race. I think that Sprinter Sacre will beat Dodging Bullets here.
But, can he return to the type of form necessary to beat Sire De Grugy?
I think he can. Sire De Grugy unseated the rider at Newbury but he already well beaten that day because he jumped a few fences really poorly and I think he has it all to do in attempting to beat Sprinter Sacre.
I’d rather back Mr Mole each way. Even though this horse is a bit of a nutter, he has clear ability. He gave the field a 10 length lead when scoring at Newbury vs Sire De Grugy and Paul Nicholls is a big fan of this horse.
Champagne Fever is a very capable horse but again, I’m sticking with Sprinter Sacre in the hope that his run at Ascot would’ve blown away the cobwebs.
Main bet – Sprinter Sacre
Each way bet – Mr Mole
4.00 Cross Country Handicap Chase (3m7f – Cross Country)
Duke Of Lucca is the way I’m playing this race. He unseated Richard Johnson in the Cross Country Handicap Chase here in December but he was still going well and was well supported in the market that day. Phillip Hobbs has aimed this horse at this race all season and with him receiving 10lb from the favourite today, he looks the one to beat.
Ireland have a great record in this race having won 8 of the last 10 races. Quantitativeeeasing looks their main chance of improving that record. He was 2nd to Any Currency in the same race that Richard Johnson unseated Duke Of Lucca but he was racing off the same mark that day and receives 9lb from Any Currency today.
Main bet – Duke Of Lucca each way
Smaller bet – Quantitativeeasing each way
4.40 Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (2m½f – Grade 3)
This in an extremely tough race to back the winner in. The last 3 winners have been 33/1, 25/1 and 40/1.
Starchitect looks a solid each way chance at around 16/1. He was decent on the flat and has done well so far over hurdles.
I’m a big fan of Dan Skelton and he runs Zarib here who was decent on the flat and was rated 86 at his peak. He could go well at a big price.
This is not a race to go crazy on.
Each way bet – Starchitect
Each way bet – Zarib
5.15 Champion Bumper (2m½f – Grade 1)
This is a great race to finish Day 2 of the Festival. It’s the Champion Bumper, a race that Ireland have dominated in the last 10 years. It’s another difficult race to get the winner as there is an element of unknown with most runners. It is however a race that I have a good record in and I fancy my chances again this year.
First and foremost I tend to look for a horse that I know will get home and Pylonthepressure sticks out like a sore thumb. He’s already won over 2m3f and Willie Mullins likes this horse a lot. He described this horses performance at Naas as a ‘huge performace from a real racehorse’.
Another horse that could run a big race is Jetstream Jack for Gordon Elliot’s yard. I was told that Gordon Elliot told Donald McCain that this horse has a good chance in this race. Jetstream Jack beat a horse called Aniable Fly in his first start under rules and that horse has since boosted the form winning comfortably in a flat race at Navan. 20/1 looks a decent price.
Main bet – Pylonthepressure each way
Smaller bet – Jetstream Jack each way
Keep an eye out for tomorrows tips for the Cheltenham Festival.
