Tuesday brought plenty of thrills, spills and – if you were lucky – dollar bills, and we wouldn’t be surprised if the Cheltenham Festival line-up on day two is as much of a rollercoaster ride for punters and the humble alike. books make friends.
Whether you’re up, down or somewhere halfway through day one, there are seven more top-rated National Hunt races to get into on Wednesday – try to contain your excitement.
We’ll know around 1.35pm whether Willie Mullins made the right call in leading Ballyburn to the Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle after Slade Steel franked the form in Tuesday’s opener. If Ballyburn disappoints, Mullins still saddles the likes of market leaders Fact To File (2.10pm), Sa Majeste (2.50pm) and El Fabiolo (3.30pm) as he tries to loosen the screw on day two.
There is an inspection of the Country Chase course at 8am on Wednesday, so be prepared for a late addition to Friday’s map.
Thanks to Paddy Power Newstheir experts Mick Fitzgerald, Ruby Walsh, Paddy Mullins, Matt Chapman and Nina Carberry give their tips for day two below…
El Fabiolo (above) takes on Jonbon and Edwardstone in the Queen Mother Champion Chase
1.30 HARD FOR GALLAGHER NOVICES
Mick Fitzgerald
Ballyburn (25/09 with Paddy Power) is the obvious choice, but I would rather choose ILE ATLANTIQUE (any direction), which has a very good form to its name.
Matt Chapman
Most will see this as a penalty for Ballyburn but I get a few quid each way on JINGKO BLUE at the prices
Paddy Mullins
We think the world of BALLYBURN and this will tell us whether we are right or not. Trip and ground are suitable
Ruby Walsh
BALLYBURN has been my choice in whatever race he’s in, so I’ll stick with him. JIMMY DU SEUIL could be a game of both ways.
Nina Carberry
With BALLYBURN coming here, he’s still the one to beat.
2.10 BROWN ADVICE HUNT
Mick Fitzgerald
I’m not so convinced that Fact To File will enjoy this 10-foot journey. STAY AWAY FAY is a very strong stayer and I would rather side with him if this turns into a slog.
Matt Chapman
I’m a huge STAY AWAY FAY supporter. Whoever beats him here will have to be a real star. Of course Fact to File could, but I’ll stick with Harry Cobden.
Paddy Mullins
FACT TO FILE (4/5 with Paddy Power) jumps, sinks and has a high cruising speed and a rotating foot. The complete package.
Ruby Walsh
FACT TO FILE should be too fast for Stay Away Fay, who will now have to do much of the donkey work up front.
Nina Carberry
I’m excited to run a big race with MONTY’S STAR
2.50: CORAL CUP HANDICAP HUMPLE
Mick Fitzgerald
DODDIETHEGREAT ran very well in the 2m Betfair Hurdle and the step up to 2m 5f should really suit him.
Matt Chapman
The one I’m risking here is MIGHT I. He’s interesting at 142, after finishing fourth this time last year at 145 in the Martin Pipe behind Iroko.
Paddy Mullins
If SA MAJESTE walks as if he is working from home, he is well handicapped.
Ruby Walsh
Willie Mullins saddles SA MAJESTE who could well be handicapped but his price is now short enough for a handicap like this. I prefer FIRST STREET (one way) for a bit of value.
Nina Carberry
BUILT BY BALLYMORE (4/1 with Paddy Power) is ready for this race, he’s been ready all season.
Classy Ballyburn faces a tasty test in the Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle on Wednesday
3.30 CHAMPION HUNT
Mick Fitzgerald
I feel like a deserter ignoring Jonbon, but everything has to go right for him to win. EL FABIOLO always finds a way to get the job done.
Matt Chapman
I’m massively in the EL FABIOLO camp and expect him to prove to be the outstanding two-mile chaser of the season.
Paddy Mullins
EL FABIOLO defeated Jonbon last year and should reaffirm that result.
Ruby Walsh
I still think the corner on JONBON (any direction) will hold up. I can’t see one of the three, so you get your money back. If he beats El Fabiolo, you get a lot more.
Nina Carberry
I can’t get away from EL FABIOLO.
4.10 GLENFARCLAS CROSS-LAND
Mick Fitzgerald
DELTA WORK is a real course specialist and is aiming for a hat-trick of victories in this competition. He is a proven artist.
Matt Chapman
I wanted to oppose former Gold Cup hero MINELLA INDO, but he will love the tough terrain and he really has an excellent chance of winning.
Paddy Mullins
MINELLA INDO is a former Gold Cup winner in Cross Country. He chooses himself.
Ruby Walsh
The Cross Country course will be inspected on Wednesday at 8am. If the ground is so heavy, it is suitable for COKO BEACH.
Nina Carberry
I’m going with GALVIN, who put in a brilliant performance at Navan last time.
Minella Indo (above) is tipped by both Paddy Mullins and Matt Chapman
4.50 BIG ANNUAL HUNT
Mick Fitzgerald
LIBBERTY HUNTER is a novice with very good form this season. The booking of top British jockey Harry Cobden should be mentioned.
Matt Chapman
UNEXPECTED PARTY (in either direction) would want better ground, but he might just be handicapped. If you hold him back, a strong gallop can be very interesting.
Paddy Mullins
SAINT ROI always runs well at Cheltenham and is a Grade 1 handicap horse.
Ruby Walsh
Two against the field for me in SAINT ROI, who ran well enough in the Arkle last year, and LIBBERTY HUNTER.
Nina Carberry
SAN FUREUR was a very good hurdler and has good chasing form this season. He now steps in to hinder company and uses soft ground.
5.30 CHAMPION BUMPER
Mick Fitzgerald
Romeo Coolio looked very good when winning at Fairyhouse and could give his owners reason to celebrate after Mount Ida won for them in a ‘Covid’ Cheltenham.
Matt Chapman
I’ve been siding with YOU OUGHTA KNOW (both ways) for a while now, who is one of many siding with Willie Mullins. A large field and a strong pace should match this.
Paddy Mullins
JASMIN DE VEUX put in the most visually impressive performance at Naas and I am lucky enough to ride him.
Ruby Walsh
ARGENTO BOY (EVERY WAY) performs better on the track than in his homework and will continue to push on soft ground.
Nina Carberry
I have to go for THE YELLOW CLAY. There is much more to expect from him.