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Horse Racing Cheltenham Day 2 Tips: Festival Day, Cheltenham Festival 2023, March 15th
Cheltenham Day 2 Tips 2024
Wednesday 15th March, Day 2 Schedule
| Time | Race | Cheltenham Day 2 Tips 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 1:30 | Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle | Read Tip |
| 2:10 | Brown Advisory Novice’s Chase | Read Tip |
| 2:50 | Coral Cup Hurdle | Read Tip |
| 3:30 | Queen Mother Champion Chase | Read Tip |
| 4:10 | Glenfarcias Cross Country Chase | Read Tip |
| 4:50 | Johnny Henderson Grand Annual | Read Tip |
| 5:30 | Weatherbys Champion Bumper | Read Tip |
More Cheltenham 2023 Tips
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Cheltenham Festival Day 2 Video Preview
The opening day at the Cheltenham festival proved a bloodbath for the bookmakers both on and off course, with the punters very much in charge as well backed horses won the first five races.
The star of the day was undoubtedly Nicky Henderson’s 4/11f Constitution Hill, who landed the Champion Hurdle in effortless style under a motionless Nico de Boinville. He is without doubt the best hurdler in recent history, if not ever, and was roared home by a capacity crowd.
The win in the Arkle of El Fabiolo was also a top class display, and he is now being targetted at the 2024 Champion Chase by Willie Mullins. Elsewhere, the Ultima saw Corach Rambler win the race for the second year running for Lucinda Russell (now heads to the Aintree Grand National in April), while Marine Nationale looked top class when landing a very competitive renewal of the Supreme.
Irish punters were in good voice again as Honeysuckle landed the best ever renewal of the mares hurdle, bowing out of an incredible career amidst emotional scenes in the winners enclosure.
Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle 2024
Race 1, Wednesday 15th March 1:30
With running plans fluid for the main contenders, this is often quite a light betting heat in the lead up to the big day, with plenty of the top Eire yards having firepower that they may choose to run either in the Supreme or other novice races over the four days.
In 2023 there has been one standout contender who looks the perfect fit for this competitive prize, and that is undoubtedly Paul Nicholls scopey Hermes Allen. He arrived with a big reputation to match his price-tag, and really impressed when winning the Challow Hurdle at Newbury in December.
That came on really deep winter ground, but he is a strong traveller who seems sure to be just as effective if things are not so testing on the day. At around the 3/1 mark in the current lists, he appeals as one of the better bets over the four days.
Good Land is now the standout contender for the Ballymore hurdle after an impressive win at the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown. He is improving run to run this winter for Barry Connell, has this race as a definite target now, and is understandably as short as 3/1f in the ante-post lists.
Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle Tip
Paul Nicholls has a fantastic team of young novices this season, and his expensive recruit created a deep impression when landing the Challow Hurdle at Newbury on New Years Eve. He races with real zest and enthusiasm on testing ground, and there should be loads more improvement in the tank after just three runs so far under Rules (won only point to point in Ireland in October 2021).
- Tip: Hermes Allen
- Stakes: 5/10
- Odds: 4.50 (William Hill)
Odds as at 9am, 14th March 2023. Odds may now differ.
Brown Advisory Novice’s Chase 2024
Race 2, Wednesday 15th March 2:10
This demanding novice chase sets a stern test for 5-y-o’s and upwards, and can be a very good stepping stone for top class youngsters to take on older horses next season.
The 2023 renewal is a wide open betting heat, with Thyme Hill and The Real Whacker the current 8/1 jf’s in the ante-post market. Jumping is surely going to be an issue for Phillip Hobbs charge, who had the run of a very messy error-strewn race at Kempton over Christmas, while the Irish raider will surely not get such a soft time on the lead as he has been gifted twice here this winter.
Perhaps Gerri Colombe is the one to side with for Gordon Elliott, with a Grade 1 already in the book at Limerick and plenty of scope to improve as he gathers more racing experience.
Brown Advisory Novice’s Chase Tip
Gordon Elliott’s highly regarded 7-y-o has impressed since going chasing this winter, not off the bridle in a beginners chase at Fairyhouse in November and then handling the jump up to Grade 1 company in style at Limerick over Christmas. There is loads more improvement in the tank for these excellent connections, and the increased test of stamina at the Festival will very much suit.
- Tip: Gerri Colombe
- Stakes: 10/10
- Odds: 2.75 (bet365)
Odds as at 9am, 14th March 2023. Odds may now differ.
Coral Cup Hurdle 2024
Race 3, Wednesday 15th March 2:50
There has been a significant early punt on Gaelic Warrior for this red hot handicap, with punters forcing him down to the 10/1 favourite after his maiden hurdle win at Tramore in December.
He could be extremely well treated now venturing into handicaps for the first time, although his relative inexperience after just five career starts could be a negative in a huge field of more battle-hardened campaigners.
The fragile No Ordinary Joe looks a fascinating runner for Nicky Henderson, with his Kempton win over Christmas a lot better than it appears (travelled strongly and rather idled when asserting late).
Coral Cup Hurdle Tip
Sam Thomas has enjoyed a terrific season with some really exciting young horses to go to war with, and his progressive handicapper remains open to loads of improvement after just seven career starts over timber. He looked one to follow up the grades when winning hard held at Carlisle on his seasonal reappearance, and was simply caught too far back in a messy contest at Haydock last time out. Soft ground suits ideally, and the stamina sapping final climb should really suit, with the booking of Sam Twiston-Davies certainly increases confidence of a bold showing in this huge field.
- Tip: Good Risk It All
- Stakes: 1/10
- Odds: 13.0 (Paddy Power)
Odds as at 9am, 14th March 2023. Odds may now differ.
Queen Mother Champion Chase 2024
Race 4, Wednesday 15th March 3:30
A fantastic clash is on the cards for this prestigious Grade 1 over two miles, with Energumene currently a very popular 4/5f to retain his title for the all-conquering Willie Mullins yard.
He has only tasted defeat once so far, in a thrilling battle for the Clarence House Chase at Ascot in 2021, and had little difficulty winning last years sub-standard renewal. Perhaps better value lies with Alan Kings tough and genuine Edwardstone, who impressed in winning the 2022 Arkle and will get the strong pace up front he needs.
There was a real shake up in the market for the Champion Chase after Cheltenham’s January meeting, with hot favourite Enurgumene suffering a shock defeat at the hands of Editeur du Gite in the rescheduled Clarence House.
He was ridden with more patience than usual and rather got crowded at some of the fences as a result, inclined out to the right as he over-raced under restraint, and looked held when blundering at the last. As a result he is now 2/1f (from 8/11f previously), with old rival Edwardstone 5/2 and the winner installed at 5/1 (from 14/1).
Certainly the prize now has a much more open look to it, though perhaps more positive tactics will be resumed at the festival (and the jockeys are unlikely to gift Gary Moore’s charge so much rope at the head of affairs).
There was another big shock at the Dublin Racing Festival when the 1/4f Blue Lord, failed to fire behind the frontrunning winner Gentlemen du Mee. He has now been eased to 10/1 for the Champion Chase, and perhaps needs more of a trip these days (while the winner appeals as more of an Aintree type in the spring).
Queen Mother Champion Chase Tip
.Alan King’s top class chaser suffered a rare reverse when unseating at Kempton in the Grade 2 Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton in December, but he is just the type to put that blip behind him given his overall profile. He impressed with his attitude when winning the Arkle here in 2022, and his hold-up run style is ideal for this kind of Grade 1 (with plenty of pace on up front and the emphais likely to be on stamina up the sapping final climb).
- Tip: Edwardstone
- Stakes: 5/10
- Odds: 2.50 (bet365)
Odds as at 9am, 14th March 2023. Odds may now differ.
Glenfarcias Cross Country Chase 2024
Race 5, Wednesday 15th March 4:10
Irish horses have dominated this unique contest in recent years, with Tiger Roll rattling in three wins for Gordon Elliott and Keith Donoghue in 2018, 2019 and 2021. He bowed out on his sword last season, and the horse who took his title Delta Work looks sure to be hard to beat in the 2023 renewal.
He has been aimed at this race again since winning in Ireland in December, and remains with plenty of upside compared to most of these ageing rivals. Perhaps stablemate Galvin will emerge as the main danger if coming here instead of the NH Chase, and he certainly has not stamina issues with the sapping 3m6f trip.
Glenfarcias Cross Country Chase Tip
Gordon Elliott’s prolific cross country regular silenced the crowd when denying Tiger Roll in the 2022 renewal of this race, and he has been trained all season with a repeat bid in 2023 in mind.
He showed he was back in the groove with a hard fought win at Punchestown in November, and it will be hard to stop adding to his brilliant record of 8 wins from 18 starts over fences.
- Tip: Delta Work
- Stakes: 1/10
- Odds: 2.38 (William Hill)
Odds as at 9am, 14th March 2023. Odds may now differ.
Johnny Henderson Grand Annual 2024
Race 6, Wednesday 15th March 4:50
A brutal gallop is always assured in the Grand Annual, and generally speaking it pays to side with a horse ridden with patience from out of the heat of the early battle.
It is little surprise that jockeys like Graham Bradley (four wins in this race over the years and all from well off the gallop), have excelled, while Davy Russell and Nick Scholfield have also timed things to perfection in recent times.
Boothill ticks plenty of boxes for this years renewal, with the Harry Fry yard coming into the festival in terrific form. He is unexposed in handicaps (attractive mark considering he has been in with the likes of Jonbon this winter), jumps soundly, has a terrific attitude for pressure and his stamina will be a real asset up the final climb.
Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Tip
Henry de Bromhead’s very useful performer has only won 1 of his 8 career starts over fences, and comes into the 2023 Festival on the back of a very expensive defeat at Naas in February. However, he now features on a very attractive handicap mark, will love the strongly run nature of the Grand Annual on decent ground, and makes plenty of each-way appeal at the current double-figure price with the bookmakers.
- Tip: Coeur Sublime
- Stakes: 5/10
- Odds: 13.0 (William Hill)
Odds as at 9am, 14th March 2023. Odds may now differ.
Weatherbys Champion Bumper 2024
Race 7, Wednesday 15th March 5:30
The champion bumper is always a race that bookmakers tend to look forward to, with a big field of inexperienced horses all touted as “the next Arkle”, and a rough race round a sharp final turn always meaning that luck in running plays a part. Jockeyship can count for plenty in getting a good early position, and this is a race punters should watch rather than invest heavily on.
The 2023 renewal has an unusually wide open look to things, with the bookmakers currently offering “8/1 the field” and no standout contender yet to emerge in either Britain or Ireland.
Ballyburn could be a real challenger in the champion bumper after impressing at Punchestown in February, showing a smart turn of speed to put a competitive field in their place (despite racing a shade free and looking green when initially asked a question). He is a former winning pointer and has got loads of scope to improve dramatically on the bare form, and is another very strong contender for the all-powerful Willie Mullins yard.
Weatherbys Champion Bumper Tip
John Kiely’s progressive performer sprang something of a surprise at the Dublin racing festival, but there was no fluke at all about the performance in a bumper chock full of rising stars. It is no surprise that JP McManus has now bought him privately, although he will remain in the same stable. He remains with plenty of scope to keep on improving as his stamina is drawn out, and the likely strong pace in the champion bumper is sure to suit ideally (with his ability to handle good ground another plus if the rain does not arrive).
- Tip: A Dream to Share
- Stakes: 1/10
- Odds: 5.0 (BetVictor)
Odds as at 9am, 14th March 2023. Odds may now differ.
Cheltenham 2024 Festival Day 2 Races
Day 2 at the Cheltenham Festival kicks off with the Ballymore Hurdle, a Grade 1 novice hurdle run over the intermediate 2m5f trip on the old course. It is a relatively new race in terms of history, with the first running in 1971, and has proved a rich hunting ground for Willie Mullins (with five winners so far including the impressive 2022 winner Sir Gerhard). It can be quite a gruelling test for an inexperienced young horse, and plenty of the previous winners have failed to progress afterwards in the manner you might expect.
The Grade 1 Brown Advisory Novice Chase has a history dating back to 1946, and provides a stiff test of stamina over an extended three miles on the old course. Willie Mullins has won the prize a remarkable five times since the top class Florida Pearl in 1998, and he always has a strong hand (with Monkfish in 2021 a very pupular winner with the legions of Irish punters). Last year Venetia Williams trained the winner in the progressive L’Homme Presse, and he is currently high up in the Gold Cup betting markets in 2023.
The Coral Cup is one of the most competitive handicaps of the entire four days, with a maximum field size assured for the excellent prize money and upsets for the bookmakers very common over the years. This has always been very pupular with trainers since its first running in 1993, with the 2m5f trip suiting some horses who fail to see out a three mile trip. Nicky Henderson has a good record with four winners over the years, while Commander of Fleet provided Gordon Elliott with his second winner of the race last year (expertly ridden by Shane Fitzgerald).
The Queen Mother Champion Chase is very much the highlight of Day 2 at the Cheltenham Festival, with the crack two milers of their generation doing battle. Willie Mullins always has a very strong hand, and his Energumene landed the spoils in 2022 (after the odds-on Shiskin was beaten at a very early stage). The race dates back to 1959 and has produced some memorable finishes up the hill, with Badsworth Boy the most prolific (three wins in 1983, ’84 and ’85). Both Nicky Henderson and Paul Nicholls have won the race six times, although they both lack an obvious contender for the 2023 renewal.
The Cheltenham Cross Country is very much a unique contest over the four days and has grown in popularity since its inauguration in 2005, with the course inside the main racecourse and a variety of jumps, turns and hazards for horse and jockey to negotiate. The 2022 renewal was one of the most memorable in recent history, with the prolific Tiger Roll marking his retirement in the race and sent off a very well backed favourite to bow out in style. However, he had not counted on the finishing surge of stablemate Delta Work, and that rival looks the standout contender for 2023. This season the track itself has been largely too firm to race on, with one intended race cancelled in December, but the recent rain will have been very welcome and a big field is on the cards.
The Grand Annual handicap chase is always a fantastic spectacle and a terrific betting heat, run over two miles and always attracting the most upwardly mobile and progressive handicappers. The race has a history dating back further than any other at the festival, with the first running taking place in 1834. It is usually very strongly run, and a patient ride from off the frenetic early pace can often pay dividends, although that was not the case in 2022 when Ben Pauling’s Global Citizen made most and kept pulling out more up the hill. Paul Nicholls has a terrific record in this valuable prize, winning it four times in total, and overall the British trainers have tended to dominate (Gordon Elliott’s Chosen Mate in 2020 a relatively rare Irish winner).
The Champion bumper to conclude day 2 at the festival is always one of the most informative contests of the four days, with the most expensive and highly regarded youngsters from the top yards in Britain and Ireland competing. In recent years this has been completely dominated by Irish yards, with Willie Mullins winning an incredible six of the last eleven runnings of the race. In 2022 the race was run in appalling conditions, with the well backed Facile Vega taking the spoils from market rival American Mike. The form of this Grade 1 always tends to work out superbly when the novices go hurdling the following season, and last years winner is currently a short price to take the Supreme on Day 1 of the Festival this week.
