Wednesday 13th March 2024
Author: Jordan Yates (jordan_yates_)
Cheltenham Festival Day 2 Preview
1.30 (due off 1.45): Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle: We kick things off on Wednesday with more Grade 1 action in the form of the Gallagher Novice’s Hurdle over two miles and five furlongs. This looks to be all about Ballyburn for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend, he looked mightily impressive last time out when winning at the Dublin Racing Festival and has been the clear pick of a whole host of smart novice hurdles from Closutton. He’s not a bet for me at the prices, but I think he’ll win this and win it well. I have had an each-way pick in the race given we have eight runners, and that’s Predator’s Gold as I think he’s a cracking each-way bet at 10/1. He’s been placed in two Group 1s on his last two outings and I think he’s a very progressive horse. If the favourite doesn’t fire for whatever reason, I think he could be the one to capitilise and as stated previously, he’s a very tempting price. Selections: Ballyburn – 4/11 & Predator’s Gold – 10/1 (Each-Way)
2.10 (due off 2.30): Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase: Next up it’s more Grade 1 action in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase over three miles and half of a furlong. I’m strong on Fact To File here who’s another one for Wille Mullins and this time the mount of Mark Walsh. He was beaten on his chasing debut by American Mike, however, since then he hasn’t looked back with a seventeen-length victory over Zanahiyr before dispatching of Gaelic Warrior at the Dublin Racing Festival. He’s rated very highly by his all-conquering yard and has taken the very rare route of chasing straight from bumpers, there could well be a lot more progression to come and a bold show would be no surprise here. Fact To File – 4/5 (Win)
2.50 (due off 3.15): Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle: The first handicap of the afternoon comes at 3.15 and this is the Coral Cup over two miles and five furlongs. I’ve had two punts in this year’s renewal, the first of which comes in the form of Doddiethegreat for Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville. He returned from a large lay-off this season and has looked better than ever, winning on reappearance before finishing second here in a competitive handicap in December before finishing a staying on fourth in the Betfair Hurdle. He bolted up over this distance in a novice hurdle, and I think he has a great chance. My other pick is Built By Barrymore for Martin Brassil and JJ Slevin. He’s won by wide margins in a couple of novice events on his journey to this race, I think he looks highly progressive and represents a shrewd yard who knows who to target a big handicap. He’ll have no issues with the trip or the ground, and could well be finishing very strongly. Selections: Built By Barrymore – 5/1 (Each-Way) Doddiethegreat – 8/1 (Each-Way)
3.30 (due off 4.00): Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase: We move onto the feature event of Wednesday which is the Queen Mother Champion Chase that’s a Grade 1 affair over a distance of two miles. It’s very hard for me to see past El Fabiolo here for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend, it’s not going to be a betting race for me as he’s a very skinny price. Despite a few sketchy jumps, he still looked very impressive when winning at the Dublin Racing Festival last time and with Jonbon slipping up on his most recent start it solidified his position at the top of the division even further. If he’s anywhere near his best he should confirm the form with Jonbon from last year. Selection: El Fabiolo – 1/2
RACE ABANDONED: Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase: The fifth race of the afternoon is the Cross Country Chase, which could well be moved to Friday should the course not pass a Wednesday morning inspection. That being said though, I like Coko Beach in this year’s renewal of the race for Gordon Elliott and Sam Ewing. He’s won the Troytown this season as well as placing in the Becher and Munster National, before finally winning over the banks at Punchestown most recently. He has by far the best recent form on offer here and will have no issue on this testing surface. I think he can go really well for a team who have dominated this race in recent years. Selection: Coko Beach – 3/1 (Win)
4.50: Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase: The penultimate race on Thursday is the Grand Annual which is a handicap chase over two miles. I’ve had two picks in the race, the first of which comes in the form of Libberty Hunter for Evan Williams and Harry Cobden. He looks highly progressive and comes in the race in great form having won his last two outings, the latest coming on heavy going at this track on New Year’s Day. He looks to have a lot more to offer and can go well. My other fancy is Harpers’ Brook for the team of Ben Pauling and Kielan Woods, he’s far from the most straightforward of animals as he has a tendency to down tools when in front, however, I think a strongly run competitive handicap over two miles should suit him, he’s also won on a surface. Selections: Libberty Hunter – 11/2 (Each-Way) & Harper’s Brook – 12/1 (Each-Way)
5.30: Weatherbys Champion Bumper: Signing us off on Wednesday will be the Champion Bumper which is contested over two miles and half of a furlong. I’m with Jalon D’oudairies here who represents Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy. He’s highly thought of by connections and has looked impressive so far, his most recent success came when getting the better of the smart Redemption Day in comfortable fashion at Leopardstown at Christmas. That win came on soft/heavy ground and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he put in a bold showing here. Selection: Jalon D’oudairies – 11/2 (Each-Way)
