Cheltenham Festival Day Two: Full Race-by-Race Guide and Expert Predictions
Following an electrifying opening day at Cheltenham, the excitement continues with seven more races scheduled for Wednesday, kicking off at 1:20pm with the Turner Novices' Hurdle. Here, we provide comprehensive racing tips from Daily Mail Sport, featuring a selection, main danger, and live outsider for each event to help guide your betting decisions.
Turner Novices' Hurdle (1:20pm)
A full field of 22 contenders lines up for this Grade One race over 2 miles and 5 furlongs. Gordon Elliott appears to hold a strong hand with both Skylight Hustle and Ballyfad. Skylight Hustle impressed with a maiden hurdle win at Fairyhouse before securing the Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Christmas. As a point-to-point winner, the increased distance should suit him perfectly. Ballyfad lost his unbeaten record to Talk The Talk in the Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle but showed potential for longer trips. Taurus Bay, though defeated on Trials Day, could outperform his high odds given his boosted form from an earlier Aintree victory.
- Selection: Skylight Hustle at 14-1
- Main Danger: Ballyfad at 11-1
- Live Outsider: Taurus Bay at 33-1
Brown Advisory Novices' Chase (2:00pm)
This Grade One race over 3 miles and 1 furlong features Final Demand, who needs to rebound from a subpar effort at the Dublin Racing Festival but retains significant potential. Beaten by The New Lion last season, he made a flawless chasing debut at Navan and followed with a Grade One win before a third-place finish at Leopardstown. The step up in trip could spur improvement. Koktail Divin won easily at Leopardstown, mirroring Fact To File's path to victory in 2024. Oscars Brother, from Connor King's small stable, may be undervalued given his recent strong form.
- Selection: Final Demand at 7-1
- Main Danger: Koktail Divin at 8-1
- Live Outsider: Oscars Brother at 12-1
BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle (2:40pm)
A fiercely competitive full field for this newly-sponsored race over 2 miles and 5 furlongs. Jingko Blue has returned to hurdling after losing confidence over fences and caught attention with a runner-up finish behind Stayers' Hurdle contender Kabral Du Mathan. The handicapper's rating of 144 might underestimate him. The Yellow Clay debuts in handicaps with first-time cheekpieces after a poor effort at Leopardstown. Ballyadam returns for his sixth straight Festival, having placed in this race the past two seasons.
- Selection: Jingko Blue at 10-1
- Main Danger: The Yellow Clay at 17-2
- Live Outsider: Ballyadam at 20-1
Cross Country Chase (3:20pm)
Last year's winner Stumptown lines up with a lofty rating of 162, potentially defying top weight again after a 150-day break following his Velka Pardubicka win. He faces rivals like Favori De Champdou, who won on Trials Day but carries an 8lb higher mark, and Pied Piper, trying this discipline for the first time with strong Cheltenham form.
- Selection: Stumptown at 11-4 (NAP)
- Main Danger: Favori De Champdou at 5-2
- Live Outsider: Pied Piper at 25-1
Queen Mother Champion Chase (4:00pm)
The feature Grade One race over 2 miles sees odds-on favourite Majborough aiming for success with cheekpieces, having dominated the Dublin Chase. However, L'Eau Du Sud, ridden by Harry Skelton, could upset with a career-best display in the Shloer Chase and tends to perform fresh after a 95-day break. Irish Panther, targeted at this race over the Arkle, could place ahead of 2024 winner Captain Guinness.
- Selection: L'Eau Du Sud at 9-2
- Main Danger: Majborough at 10-11
- Live Outsider: Irish Panther at 14-1
Grand Annual Handicap Chase (4:40pm)
This Grade One race over 2 miles often favors novices or second-season chasers, with Be Aware fitting the profile after consistent runner-up finishes and an appealing mark of 147. Vanderpoel must overcome a left-handed track concern, while Jour d'Evasion has won his last three and steps up in grade.
- Selection: Be Aware at 6-1
- Main Danger: Vanderpoel at 8-1
- Live Outsider: Jour d'Evasion at 16-1
Weatherbys Champion Bumper (5:20pm)
Gordon Elliott's Keep Him Company, unbeaten in two bumper starts, is the choice of stable jockey Jack Kennedy and could excel in this unique test. Willie Mullins fields unbeaten pair Quiryn and Our Trigger, with Quiryn making a striking debut at Naas.
- Selection: Keep Him Company at 8-1
- Main Danger: Quiryn at 9-1
- Live Outsider: Our Trigger at 12-1
The Wizard of Odds Insights
Chris Baker provides key trends: for the Turner Novices' Hurdle, focus on horses rated at least 142, from the top four in betting, and recent winners. No Drama This End is a leading British hope. In the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase, look for horses rated 150+, from the top four, and aged seven, with Kaid d'Authie preferred over Romeo Coolio. For the Champion Chase, target horses rated 159+ from the top three, with Majborough aligning well with trends.
Placepot Recommendations
For the placepot, consider Majborough and Favori De Champdou as bankers, with multiple selections in tricky legs: Race One: No Drama This End, Ballyfad; Race Two: Kaid D'Authie, Romeo Coolio; Race Three: Lucky Place, Storm Heart; Race Four: Favori De Champdou; Race Five: Majborough; Race Six: Calico, Jazzy Matty, Be Aware. This totals 24 lines for strategic betting.
