We reach the halfway mark at the Cheltenham Festival on Wednesday as once the final race has been run just two days of elite action will be left at Cleeve Hill. To take us there we have another decent card to get stuck into.
As with Tuesday, five of the races are non-handicaps with the feature being the Champion Chase. As with the Champion Hurdle, that doesn’t throw up a great betting proposition but there are three races we do have fancies in.
1.30 Cheltenham
The opener on Day 2 is the Ballymore and, like the Supreme on Day 1, it looks a straight battle between Willie Mullins and Barry Connell. Connell has been so bullish about the chances of Marine Nationale, who ran out an impressive winner of the Supreme, and Good Land who goes here, that it’s hard to oppose him. That said, the value has now gone out of the price. The one he has to beat is Impaire Et Passe, who looked like a horse to follow after landing the Moscow Flyer at Punchestown in January. This looks like a race to watch rather than one to get involved in from a betting perspective.
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2.10 Cheltenham
Preview
Gerri Colombe is the unbeaten favourite here, having won all 7 starts to date including a trio of chases. The winning margins have been relatively narrow so I don’t necessarily think he’s the good thing many think he is and he’s not a bet at around Evens. Last year’s Ballymore winner, Sir Gerhard, has to be feared but he’s very inexperienced over fences winning his one and only start in a 3 runner beginners chase at Gowran Park. The Real Whacker has gone from strength to strength, and has form here so is also feared but his price is a bit too short for him to be seriously considered a bet.
Betting
At nice each way odds, I think Thyme Hill could go well. Better known as a top class hurdler, he’s been placed in all 3 Festivals he’s run in so far; 3rd in the bumper, 4th in the Albert Bartlett and 2nd last year in the Stayers. He has taken well to fences, winning 2 of his 3 starts and finishing 2nd in a Grade 2 chase behind McFabulous when his jumping was a bit slow. He was much better last time in Kauto Star when first time cheekpieces helped his focus and, with the headgear retained, he could well improve again at a track he likes and on ground he loves. A definite each way player.
Tips
Back Thyme Hill (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 9.50 Skybet BOG (⅕ odds 1-4)
3.30 Cheltenham
Another championship race where we cannot muster the 8 runners to warrant an each way bet but the Queen Mother Champion Chase is still an intriguing heat. It had long been billed as a straight match between last year’s winner Energumene and the Arkle winner Edwardstone but this year, Editeur Du Gite has thrust himself into the reckoning by winning both the Desert Orchid and the Clarence House. I’ll be keeping my powder dry and instead hope to see a race where we have 3 viable contenders all in the mix coming to the last.
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4.10 Cheltenham
Preview
The Cross Country chase is always a good watch but isn’t always the greatest race to bet in. There are 2 standout contenders in the shape of Delta Work and Galvin here and, if they stay on their feet, I don’t see any other horse laying a glove on them. However, beyond those 2, it’s much of a muchness and this leads to me to taking an each way bet in the market with the front 2 taken out.
Betting
Plan Of Attack is that horse, 4th in the Kim Muir in 2020, he was then 3rd in this last year behind the front 2 in Delta Work and Tiger Roll. In 2 other runs over the cross country course last year, he was 4th and 3rd so the form has a rock solid feel to it. This year hasn’t been his campaign but 2 of his 3 starts were over hurdles and then last time out, he was only 7th back here at the November meeting. He was only beaten 12 lengths having been outpaced with the ground riding much quicker than it will today. Back on softer ground is a big positive and his mark is 1lb lower than when 3rd 12 months ago. Given his liking for the course and the conditions, his odds with the front 2 out of the reckoning look generous.
Tips
Back Plan Of Attack (e/w) in the ‘without Delta Work and Galvin’ market for a 1/10 stake at 15.00 Bet365 (⅕ odds 1-3)
5.30 Cheltenham
Preview
We close with the bumper and this is all about Willie Mullins who has won 4 of the last 6 and 8 of the last 20 runnings of this race. That doesn’t help us much as he saddles 10 of the 24 strong field this year including the favourite Fact To File. That said, the highest rated runner is the second favourite from the John Kiely yard in A Dream To Share. I’m sticking with Mullins though and taking 2 against the field.
Betting
The first of those is Townend’s chosen mount, It’s For Me. He won his sole race on soft ground at Navan when visually impressive in landing the spoils by 10 lengths from Suttons Hill. He recorded a good speed figure there and the manner of victory was so good, it’s hard to believe he won’t prove to be even better in time. Conditions will suit and he’s sure to be in the final reckoning so is a strong each way to nothing.
The second bet also beat Suttons Hill last time out and that is another of Mullins’ in Western Diego. He won by almost 7 lengths but was equally impressive, especially in the way he quickened clear when challenged. The ground that day was soft so he too will be suited by the ground here. Another that recorded a good speed figure and Mullins has secured the services of Rachael Blackmore who won this race for him 2 years ago on Sir Gerhard. He looks a good each way bet at juicy odds.
Tips
Back It’s For Me (e/w) for a 2/10 stake at 7.00 William Hill BOG (⅕ odds 1-4)
Back it here:
Back Western Diego (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 15.00 Bet365 BOG (⅕ odds 1-5)
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