Cheltenham Festival Day Two: Expert Analysis and Selections
As the prestigious Cheltenham Festival enters its second day, all eyes turn to the Queen Mother Champion Chase, the feature race of the afternoon. Our top tipster Newsboy has meticulously analysed every contest, providing his expert predictions and a detailed 1-2-3 for all seven races on this thrilling day of National Hunt racing.
1.20 Novices' Hurdle: Bossman Jack to Continue Ascendancy
BOSSMAN JACK receives the nod in the opening race as this progressive hurdler looks to emulate The New Lion's success from twelve months ago. The six-year-old son of Jack Hobbs has shown consistent improvement, beginning with a winning bumper debut at Wincanton last January. After a third-place finish on his hurdles debut at Warwick in November, he secured a convincing victory at Ffos Las in January before demolishing his rivals by thirteen lengths at Chepstow under a penalty.
While all four career runs have been over two miles, his pedigree suggests the additional five furlongs here will unlock further potential. The field contains several smart improvers including No Drama This End, Act Of Innocence, Sober and Laurets D'Estruval, but Bossman Jack's upward trajectory makes him the selection.
Newsboy's 1-2-3: 1 BOSSMAN JACK, 2 NO DRAMA THIS END, 3 LAURETS D'ESTRUVAL
2.00 Novices' Chase: Romeo Coolio to Defend Unbeaten Record
ROMEO COOLIO attempts to maintain his perfect chasing record for trainer Gordon Elliott. The Kayf Tara gelding began his chase career with victories at Down Royal and Fairyhouse before securing two top-level successes at Leopardstown, including the Irish Arkle Novice Chase. Although two miles appears sharp for this future Gold Cup prospect, the step up to three miles here looks an inspired decision.
Elliott had even considered open company for the Ryanair Chase, but this race represents the ideal opportunity. Kaid D'Authie, who defeated Final Demand at the Dublin Racing Festival, is preferred to his Willie Mullins stablemate, while Wendigo and Oscars Brother complete the danger list.
Newsboy's 1-2-3: 1 ROMEO COOLIO, 2 KAID D'AUTHIE, 3 OSCARS BROTHER
2.40 Handicap Hurdle: Puturhandstogether Returns to Festival Scene
PUTURHANDSTOGETHER brings Cheltenham Festival experience to this contest, having romped to a six-length victory in the Juvenile Handicap Hurdle last March. The Joseph O'Brien-trained five-year-old subsequently showed his stamina credentials with an Irish Cesarewitch victory on the Flat before a below-par effort at Fairyhouse in November.
The additional distance here looks within his capabilities, making him an intriguing proposition. A competitive field includes Storm Heart, Kateira, Jingko Blue and Ballyadam, all warranting close inspection.
Newsboy's 1-2-3: 1 PUTURHANDSTOGETHER, 2 KATEIRA, 3 BALLYADAM
3.20 Cross Country Chase: Veteran Vanillier to Show His Class
VANILLIER, the 2021 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle winner and subsequent Grand National runner-up, has proven himself a formidable cross-country performer. The eleven-year-old grey finished third in this race last year despite nearly taking the wrong course early on, and arrives here following a repeat victory at Punchestown.
Meeting stablemate Stumptown on 7lb better terms compared to twelve months ago, he represents excellent each-way value. Favori De Champdou, who scored fluently over course and distance in January, poses the main threat alongside Desertmore House and Final Orders.
Newsboy's 1-2-3: 1 VANILLIER, 2 FAVORI DE CHAMPDOU, 3 FINAL ORDERS
4.00 Queen Mother Champion Chase: L'Eau Du Sud to Upset Favourite
The feature race sees L'EAU DU SUD represent value against hot favourite Majborough. Dan Skelton's grey was explosive when winning the Shloer Chase over this course and distance by fifteen lengths in November, but disappointed in the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown in December.
Skelton has discovered that keeping the eight-year-old fresh brings out his best, and with ninety-five days since his last run, he can show his true colours. While Majborough was impressive winning the Dublin Chase last month, his jumping has proven suspect previously. Il Etait Temps was flat at Ascot in January, making novice Irish Panther the selection for third.
Newsboy's 1-2-3: 1 L'EAU DU SUD, 2 MAJBOROUGH, 3 IRISH PANTHER
4.40 Handicap Chase: Jazzy Matty Aims for Festival Hat-trick
JAZZY MATTY seeks a remarkable third Cheltenham Festival victory, having won the Juvenile Handicap Hurdle in 2023 and this race twelve months ago. Although winless in five subsequent outings, the seven-year-old has undergone wind surgery since his last run and shouldn't be underestimated despite racing from an 8lb higher mark.
A full field of twenty ensures a competitive contest, with Be Aware, Inthepocket, Jasko Des Dames and Break My Soul heading the danger list.
Newsboy's 1-2-3: 1 JAZZY MATTY, 2 BE AWARE, 3 BREAK MY SOUL
5.20 Bumper: Keep Him Company to Maintain Perfect Record
KEEP HIM COMPANY looks poised to maintain his unbeaten record for Gordon Elliott and owner Michael O'Leary. The £220,000 purchase impressed in point-to-points before making a winning bumper debut at Fairyhouse in November, then defied a penalty with authority at Leopardstown over Christmas.
With considerable untapped potential, he's the clear selection to complete the day's racing. Love Sign D'Aunou, Quirin, Bass Hunter and Broadway Ted appear the main contenders for minor honours.
Newsboy's 1-2-3: 1 KEEP HIM COMPANY, 2 BASS HUNTER, 3 LOVE SIGN D'AUNOU
