Tuesday provided plenty of thrills, spills and – if you had a bit of luck – dollar bills, and we wouldn’t be surprised if day two’s Cheltenham Festival line-up is just as much of a rollercoaster ride for punters as well as your humble bookmaking pal.
Whether you’re up, down or somewhere in the middle after day one though there’s still seven more smashing races of top class National Hunt fare to get stuck into on Wednesday – try to contain your excitement.
We’ll know by about 1.35pm whether Willie Mullins made the right call in diverting Ballyburn to the Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle after Slade Steel franked the form in Tuesday’s opener. If Ballyburn disappoints, Mullins still saddles market leaders Fact To File (2.10pm), Sa Majeste (2.50pm) and El Fabiolo (3.30pm) among others as he tries to turn the screw on day two.
There’s an inspection of the Country Chase course at 8am on Wednesday so be prepared for it to be a late addition to Friday’s card.
Courtesy of Paddy Power News, their pundits Mick Fitzgerald, Ruby Walsh, Paddy Mullins, Matt Chapman and Nina Carberry offer up their tips for day one below…
El Fabiolo (above) takes on Jonbon and Edwardstone in the Queen Mother Champion Chase
1.30 GALLAGHER NOVICES’ HURDLE
Mick Fitzgerald
Ballyburn (9/25 with Paddy Power) is the obvious pick but I’d sooner ILE ATLANTIQUE (each-way) who has some very good form to his name.
Matt Chapman
Most will see this as a penalty kick for Ballyburn, but I’ll have 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 will suit
Ruby Walsh
BALLYBURN has been my pick in whatever race he runs in so I’ll stick with him. JIMMY DU SEUIL could be an each-way play.
Nina Carberry
Now that BALLYBURN runs here he’s still the one to beat.
2.10 BROWN ADVISORY CHASE
Mick Fitzgerald
I’m not as convinced that Fact To File will relish this 3m trip. STAY AWAY FAY is a very strong stayer and I’d sooner 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 might, but I’ll stick with Harry Cobden.
Paddy Mullins
FACT TO FILE (4/5 with Paddy Power) jumps, settles, and has a high-cruising speed and a turn of foot. The full package.
Ruby Walsh
FACT TO FILE should be too quick for Stay Away Fay who will have to do a lot of the donkey work now up front.
Nina Carberry
I fancy MONTY’S STAR each-way to run a big race
2.50: CORAL CUP HANDICAP HURDLE
Mick Fitzgerald
DODDIETHEGREAT ran really well in the 2m Betfair Hurdle and the step up in trip to 2m 5f should really suit him.
Matt Chapman
The one I’m risking here is MIGHT I. He’s interesting off 142 having been fourth this time last year off 145 in the Martin Pipe behind Iroko.
Paddy Mullins
If SA MAJESTE runs like he works at home then he is well handicapped.
Ruby Walsh
Willie Mullins saddles SA MAJESTE who could be well handicapped but his price is short enough now for a handicap like this. I prefer FIRST STREET (each-way) for a bit of value.
Nina Carberry
BUILT BY BALLYMORE (4/1 with Paddy Power) is set up for this race, he’s been laid out for it all season.
Classy Ballyburn faces a tasty test in the Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle on Wednesday
3.30 CHAMPION CHASE
Mick Fitzgerald
1 feel like a deserter ignoring Jonbon but everything has to go right for him to win. EL FABIOLO just always finds a way to get the job done.
Matt Chapman
I’m massively in the EL FABIOLO camp and expect him to prove the outstanding two-miler chaser of the season.
Paddy Mullins
EL FABIOLO beat Jonbon last year and should confirm that result again.
Ruby Walsh
I still think the angle on JONBON (each-way) stands up. I can’t see him out of the three so you’ll get your money back. If he beats El Fabiolo you’ll get a bunch more.
Nina Carberry
I can’t get away from EL FABIOLO.
4.10 GLENFARCLAS CROSS COUNTRY
Mick Fitzgerald
DELTA WORK is a real course specialist and looks for a hat-trick of wins in this contest. He’s a proven performer.
Matt Chapman
I wanted to oppose the former Gold Cup hero MINELLA INDO but he will love the heavy ground and he really does have an excellent chance of winning.
Paddy Mullins
MINELLA INDO is a former Gold Cup winner in the Cross Country. He picks himself.
Ruby Walsh
The Cross Country course faces an 8am inspection on Wednesday. If the ground is that heavy it will suit COKO BEACH.
Nina Carberry
I’m going with GALVIN who put in a brilliant run at Navan last time.
Minella Indo (above) is tipped by both Paddy Mullins and Matt Chapman
4.50 GRAND ANNUAL CHASE
Mick Fitzgerald
LIBBERTY HUNTER is a novice with some very good form this season. The booking of top UK jockey Harry Cobden should be noted.
Matt Chapman
UNEXPECTED PARTY (each-way) would want better ground but he might just be a very well handicapped. If held up off a strong gallop could be very interesting.
Paddy Mullins
SAINT ROI always runs well at Cheltenham and is a Grade 1 horse in a handicap.
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 decent hurdler and has good chase form this season. He steps in to handicap company now and handles 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 at a ‘Covid’ Cheltenham.
Matt Chapman
For some time I’ve been siding with YOU OUGHTA KNOW (each-way) who is one of many who goes for Willie Mullins. A big field and strong pace should suit.
Paddy Mullins
JASMIN DE VEUX put in the most visually impressive performance at Naas and I’m lucky enough to be riding him.
Ruby Walsh
ARGENTO BOY (EACH-WAY) performs better on the track than he does in his homework and will stay going in the soft ground.
Nina Carberry
I have to go with THE YELLOW CLAY. There’s a lot more to come from him.