Cheltenham Festival Day two: Tips and best bets for Wednesday including the Champion Chase
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The Cheltenham Festival continues on Wednesday with some eagerly anticipated match-ups on the card, notably in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
The Champion Chase tests fence-jumping at speed, with Edwardstone and Energumene set to renew hostilities in one of the few Britain v Ireland contests of the week that does look evenly matched.
Editeur Du Gite sprang a surprise when beating the big two in the Clarence House in January over this course and distance, but remains very much third favourite for the race.
When is day two of the Cheltenham Festival?
Wednesday March 15, with the first race of the day going off at 1.30pm.
What TV channel are the races on?
ITV will have live coverage fronted by Ed Chamberlin. Alternatively, you can bookmark this page and return on the day to follow the race on our dedicated live blog.
Betting on the Cheltenham Festival? Take a look at the best Cheltenham betting offers and free bets.
Cheltenham Festival 2023 day two tips
1.30pm Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle
Telegraph Sport
Run over two miles and five furlongs, this race is the intermediary trip for novice hurdlers sitting in between the two mile Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and the longer Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at three miles.
Hermes Allen is the outstanding British horse in the race but will have to fight off a serious challenge from the Irish. Hermes Allen, trained by Paul Nicholls, won the Challow Hurdle at Newbury on New Year’s Eve which has worked out well as a form line: the second, fourth, five and sixth in the Challow all won next time out.
That form has not convinced the market Hermes Allen is worthy of favouritism though, with Impaire Et Passe feared to be another Willie Mullins superstar in the making. The unexposed five-year-old is yet to run in Grade One company, but was impressive in a six-and-a-half length win at Punchestown in January.
Impaire Et Passe is just one of Mullins’ stable of novice hurdlers also including Gaelic Warrior, Champ Kiely, Il Etait Temps and Facile Vega.
Marlborough
Time and again, Willie Mullins has proven to be the go-to man in Cheltenham’s novice hurdles and, once again, he holds a very strong hand in this year’s Ballymore. On more than one occasion, Willie Mullins has used the Grade 2 Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle at Punchestown as a springboard for success, and he may have another potential star from that race’s roll of honour in the form of Impaire Et Passe, who looked very useful when dominating that race back in January. Stablemate Gaelic Warrior should relish this step up in trip and could be the one to give Impaire Et Passe the most to think about.
Ed Chamberlin
Impaire Et Passe
2.10 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
Telegraph Sport
Formerly the Royal Sun Alliance Chase, this three-mile race is viewed as a typical route towards the Gold Cup for novice chasers. Past champions who went on to win the big one include Denman, Bobs Worth and Lord Windermere. Last year’s winner L’Homme Presse would have been fancied to join that company before injury scuppered his season.
There is huge excitement in Ireland about Gordon Elliott’s Gerri Colombe, who is unbeaten since he started chasing this season. Won over a sharp two miles four at Sandown in February at the expense of Nicky Henderson’s Balco Coastal, and he is expected to prefer a stiffer test of stamina. Elliott’s Mighty Potter is a potential runner here, but is more likely to go for the shorter Turners.
The main British hope is Patrick Neville-trained The Real Whacker, who won the Dipper at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day ahead of Monmiral. That showed a turn of speed, and The Real Whacker also has a Cheltenham win at three miles on his CV.
Marlborough
One chase start over 2 miles is surely not the ideal preparation for Sir Gerhard coming into this and, in a race lacking much depth, this looks a fantastic opportunity for dual Grade 1 winning chaser Gerri Colombe to maintain his unbeaten record here. The winner of all 7 of his starts under rules, Gerri Colombe was last seen when winning the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase over 2m4f at Sandown last month. Both the return to soft ground and the step up to 3 miles can prove very much in his favour, and he rates a strong fancy here.
Ed Chamberlin
Galia Des Liteaux
2.50 Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle
Telegraph Sport
Always a wide open contest over two miles five furlongs and an exciting betting heat, but very difficult to assess. There has been a lot of interest in the JP McManus-owned Camprond, who was fourth in this last year and carrying just one more pound in weight this time around. Back over hurdles after an unsuccessful stint chasing, the gloomy weather forecast could be bad news: his four wins over hurdles in Britain have come on good ground. One horse definitely targeting this race is Run for Oscar, who finished third in a three-mile race on soft ground at Haydock earlier in the season, so clearly rated to stay.
Marlborough
Typically wide-open running of the Coral Cup. Camprond would have been a leading fancy off a 2lb lower mark than when a good 4th in this race last year on unsuitably soft ground. Unfortunately, however, the weather does not look to have come in his favour here once again but, for the same owner, this rain could well play nicely into the hands of Icare Allen, who found the ground much too quick for him when last seen in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury. He previously ran very well in handicap company at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting and, now tackling 2m5f for the first time, he could relish this extra yardage and go close.
Ed Chamberlin
Watch House Cross
3.30 Champion Chase
Telegraph Sport
Edwardstone is looking to become the eighth horse since the turn of the millennium to win the Arkle/Champion Chase double in consecutive years after Moscow Flyer, Azertyuiop, Voy Por Ustedes, Sizing Europe, Sprinter Sacre, Altior and Put the Kettle on.
Alan King’s horse is a superb jumper and is proven over course and distance. Defending champion Energumene is the Irish hopeful for Willie Mullins, and was thought to be the second coming. Confidence has been dented by the Clarence House performance though, which saw Energumene under pressure before the last before he blundered to third. Editeur Du Gite won that day, but everything went right for Gary Moore’s horse who established a soft-ish lead with Energumene and Edwardstone stalking each other. With the big two expected to be ridden closer to the pace, odds are against a repeat result for Editeur Du Gite.
Marlborough
The rearranged Clarence House Chase formline looks the one to concentrate on here, and it feels too soon to give up on the awesome Energumene, the winner of 8 of his 10 starts over fences, including in this race last year. He ran below his best when 3rd in the aforementioned Clarence House back in January, a race where plenty was made by his trainer Willie Mullins about the switch to white fences. With that run under his belt, not to mention a return to softer going, we could see a different horse here.
Ed Chamberlin
Edwardstone
4.10 Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
Telegraph Sport
A right old slog at three miles and six furlongs over the Cross Country obstacles, this race has been dominated by Ireland in recent times. Gordon Elliott has the two strongest contenders in his stable again, and there are still high hopes for Galvin. Despite some erratic performances, Galvin has a three-mile chase win over A Plus Tard on his record. Delta Work was the villain of the piece last year when he denied stable-mate, and national treasure, Tiger Roll a triumphant farewell.
Marlborough
As the market strongly implies, trainer Gordon Elliott very much holds the aces in this year’s Cross Country Chase. Both would be leading chances but, with plenty of rain about at Cheltenham, the strong likelihood of soft ground tilts into the favour of Delta Work, who denied stablemate Tiger Roll in last year’s race en route to victory in testing conditions. His season looks to have been geared around a repeat bid of this race and, in a race lacking depth, Delta Work can give jockey Keith Donoghue a 4th win in this race in just 6 years.
Ed Chamberlin
Galvin
4.50 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase
Telegraph Sport
Another wide open handicap chase with a sharp trip of less than two miles. Saint Segal is expected to run well for Jane Williams while Dinoblue and Final Orders are the two hot Irish horses. Andy Dufresene, carrying the top weight of 12 stone, cannot be discounted for Gordon Elliott. Third Time Lucki for the Skeltons is in the picture as well.
Marlborough
A hard race to call, where chances can be made for many. It would be little surprise if this race has been the target all season for Andy Dufresne, who was an excellent 2nd in this race last year and comes forward off the same mark that saw him fill the runner-up spot 12 months ago. That was his only run at Cheltenham and, with his regular rider Mark Walsh taking over in the saddle, Andy Dufresne is fancied to go close here; the application of a first-time tongue tie can eke out the necessary improvement and he can prove the one they all have to beat.
Ed Chamberlin
Sizing Pottsie
5.30 Champion Bumper
Telegraph Sport
The only flat race of the week, and is a race for horses right at the start of their jump racing career. Willie Mullins has an outstanding recent record, and has used this race to introduce horses of the calibre of Facile Vega, Sir Gerhad and Envoi Allen. It would be no surprise if he repeated the trick again with It’s For Me.
Marlborough
The Champion Bumper is a race that trainer Willie Mullins has held a notable stranglehold of late, winning 4 of the last 5 renewals (and a total of 12 in the race’s history). He is represented by no less than 10 contenders in this 24-runner field, many of whom bring forward live chances, headed by jockey Paul Townend’s intended ride It’s For Me, who looked very smart indeed when bolting up with plenty in hand in a Navan bumper back in January. Whilst this performance was visually pleasing, it was most encouraging to see the smart impression left readily backed up by the clock. After just one start under rules, It’s For Me falls into the “could be anything” bracket and he could take the beating here.
Ed Chamberlin
Encanton Bruno
Brace yourself for a real David v Goliath showdown
By Ed Chamberlin
If the Cheltenham preview circuit hype is even half right, Impaire Et Passe will bolt up in the Ballymore (1.30) for Willie Mullins. I am with him because Daryl Jacob rides this horse at home and raves about him, and told me last week that he could go right to the very top. He described his stride as being longer than a Test match cricket pitch.
My ITV colleague Ruby Walsh isn’t a bad judge either and tipped him on stage at a Boodles event last week so I reckon we are on solid ground in the first. Sir Alex Ferguson owns his chief rival, Hermes Allen, and the horse is a lovely prospect but the Challow winner on winter ground in December tends to be a stayer and speed is needed to win a Ballymore.
The Betway Champion Chase (3.30) is a cracker. It’s also a real David v Goliath clash of the sort that we relish on ITV. Edwardstone belongs to Norfolk-based owner-breeders Robert Abrey and Ian Thurtle, who are up against the might of the Mullins machine with defending Champion Energumene, owned by Brighton FC supremo, Tony Bloom.
In the Clarence House last time, Edwardstone’s jockey Tom Cannon had a target on Paul Townend’s back and rode him to beat Energumene. He did that but then had to go and catch Editeur du Gite, which proved a step too far.
Both the big guns will be ridden differently this time which makes this such a fascinating tactical conundrum for Ruby and Sir Anthony to get stuck into on ITV this afternoon. I am hoping to preside over a few tactical ding-dongs between the two great jockeys this week, a la Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher.
After that Clarence House race here in January we interviewed Alan King, who does not always take defeat that well but he was all smiles and said they had lost the battle but will win the war. I strongly fancy David to slay Goliath and Edwardstone to be crowned Champion Chaser.
There is no Tiger Roll in the Cross Country Chase (4.10), and so I expect Galvin to punish Delta Work for spoiling the party last year. Gordon Elliott, a master in this, saddles both. In the Bumper (5.30)
I’ll be cheering my colleague Brian Gleeson’s son John, who rides A Dream To Share. It’s a case of youth and experience with the 18-year-old jockey riding for 86-year-old trainer, John Kiely. For a bet, I like Encanton Bruno at a decent each way price.
Ed’s Bet of the Day
The Brown Advisory (2.10) is not a vintage renewal and I am keen to take on the favourite, Gerri Colombe, at such a short price. I think the girls might beat the boys so am going with the mare Galia Des Liteaux for the Skeltons.
Why Editeur du Gite can win the Champion Chase at Cheltenham
By Marcus Armytage
It may have to go a bit to beat Tuesday’s fare but the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase encapsulates the very best of steeplechasing and, for many, is the week’s highlight; the combination of speed, the need for quick, pin-point accurate jumping with a dash of stamina is unlikely to go amiss today.
It is seat-of-the-pants all right but they are all qualities which Editeur du Gite, who can provide trainer Gary Moore with a popular second winner in the race, has in abundance.
Moore, whose family are a by-word for hard work in the business, struck with Sire Du Grugy in 2014 and Editeur du Gite, who carries the same colours of the Prestons and part-owner Trevor Jacobs who will be watching from his hospital bed in the critical care unit of Portsmouth Hospital nine months after going down with Guillain Barre Syndrome, shares a few similarities; a French origin, a name that does not make much sense, they both came into the race on a winning roll and improving despite Editeur Du Gite being a year older at nine.
This is probably a deeper race than the one Sire Du Grugy won when he was sent off favourite but two things can tip things Editeur du Gite’s way; his love of Cheltenham where he is three wins from five starts and never out of the money and the defection at the 48-hour stage of Gentleman de Mee who might have taken him for the lead.
Last time out he made all to beat Edwardstone and Energumene, the reigning champion, a head and six and a half lengths. A lot of experts have put a line through that race but today it might pay to underline it.
Edwarstone was ridden with a lot of confidence that day and he got to Editeur du Gite and Niall Houlihan, the young jockey with whom he has clicked so well, easily enough but getting past Editeur du Gite is another thing, he is a terrier. Alan King’s Arkle winner was lame afterwards but did it affect him in the race when the adrenalin was flowing? I would be surprised.
Otherwise it has been a frustrating season for Edwardstone since winning with Tingle Creek with such authority but, obviously, today is when it really counts.
Until last year Willie Mullins had never won the Champion Chase but Energumene finally broke the hoodoo. And while Mullins horses are irresistible at the Festival, he was fairly beaten in the Clarence House and the excuse, the newly introduced white painted guard rails on the fences (as opposed to orange in Ireland) was straight out of the politician’s book of excuses.
Is there anything else which could cause an upset? Funambule Sivola was runner-up last year but is a much better horse on quicker ground, the best fresh Nube Negra runs races when you think something like this might be possible but might have had his chance when runner-up two years ago and Greanateen, though a Grade One winner, is probably best at Sandown at the end of the season when some of these will be in Punchestown.
Gerri Colombe, favourite for the Brown Advisory, looked well when I rode out for Gordon Elliott on Tuesday but I have a soft spot for The Real Whacker, trained in Yorkshire by an Irishman, Paddy Neville. He is two from two at Cheltenham.
Impaire Et Passe is likely to go off very short for the Ballymore Hurdle to get the day up and rolling for Mullins but Good Land, bidding to complete the Supreme-Ballymore Novice Hurdle double for Kildare based Barry Connell represents better value.
The Glenfarclas Cross-Country is the antidote to the Champion Chase and has become, thanks mainly to Tiger Roll, the foremost Grand National trials at this meeting. Last year Delta Work shot Bambi by beating his illustrious stable companion on his last start. The ground has come for him today and he can prove beating Tiger Roll was no fluke.
If the Weatherbys Champion Bumper, the two mile flat race for young jumpers, provides a crystal ball to the future then it is not looking good for the British who supply only six of the 24 runners and nothing shorter than Oliver Sherwood’s Queens Gamble at 16-1. Willie Mullins runs 10 but the fact that JP McManus has stepped in to buy A Dream To Share since his last win for John Kiely probably tells us as much as the form book and he looks the one to be on.
Source: telegraph.co.uk