The headline race on the second day of the Cheltenham Festival is the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase. The two mile race goes over 12 obstacles to determine who the best 2 miler of the year is. The English have a good record in this race but it is an Irish hotpot who will take all the beating.
Recent Winners
2016 – Sprinter Sacre 5/1
2015 – Dodging Bullets 9/2
2014 – Sire de Grugy 11/4F
2013 – Sprinter Sacre 1/4F
2012 – Finian’s Rainbow 4/1
2011 – Sizing Europe 10/1
2010 – Big Zeb 10/1
2009 – Master Minded 4/11F
2008 – Master Minded 3/1
2007 – Voy Por Ustedes 5/1
Guide
All eyes will be on Douvan to see if he can continue his amazing career record. This isn’t a race which suits favourite backers though with just three of the last 10 market leaders obliging. Douvan will be heavy odds on at race time too but with his main rival Altior likely to swerve this for the Arkle genuine dangers are thin in supply.
If the British are to keep hold of the title the best hope looks to lie with Fox Norton from the Colin Tizzard yard but this race really does centre around the undefeated Douvan.
Betting
I’ll take a stab at finding the winner of Day 2’s big race. Douvan, how’s that for you? Not at 1/4 I hear you say. I agree he’s unbackable but, similarly, he’s surely the winner of this race if he stays on his feet. Willie Mullin’s star has won each of his 9 chase starts and has yet to be extended in any of them so why should today be any different? He was the winner of the Arkle here 12 months ago and in running comments of ‘powered clear’ and ‘comfortably’ are typical of his other runs.
The only possible angle to a bet is the ‘without Douvan’ market and there are 9 runners in that market, headed by Fox Norton from the Colin Tizzard yard. He’s won 3 times at Cheltenham this season but was readily seen off by Arkle favourite, Altior last time out. I’m not sure he’s top quality but is improving and I can understand why he’s the favourite in this market. That said, I wasn’t overly impressed by his 3rd behind Douvan in the Arkle 12 months ago and I think there are better bets. 
Last year’s renewal is always worth looking at. Special Tiara was 3rd, and was 5 lengths ahead of the 4th horse home, Gods Own yet is a bigger price to do the same this year. Gods Own has good festival form having previously finished 2nd in the Arkle but it’s no secret that he prefers going right handed. He’s been racing at further than 2 miles and the big concern is that he gets outpaced at a crucial stage. He will be noted staying on late in the day.
Special Tiara is the one I want to side with. Whilst you can pick holes in his form this term, he’s raced 3 times in this race previously and been in the mix on each occasion. He was 6th 3 years ago but has finished 3rd on each of his 2 runs for Henry De Bromhead and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him go one better. He’s a tough front runner and has proven very difficult to pass, staying on all the way to the line. He’s a good jumper of fences and loves the stiff test of Cheltenham. His form this term includes 2 defeats at Cheltenham but, for me, soft ground can be put down as the reason. He did just enough in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton in the middle of those 2 Cheltenham runs but the flat track does not suit.
That day at Kempton, Special Tiara beat Sir Valentino but I don’t expect the runner up to get anywhere near as close today. Conditions are very different and his form just isn’t good enough. Another horse that has form lines through our selection is Simply Ned but that was on bad ground here at Cheltenham. The better ground suits our horse and Simply Ned’s form, like Sir Valentino, just isn’t good enough to be involved here.
The Philip Hobbs horse, Garde La Victoire isn’t a good jumper (fell at the Festival last year) and his tendency to hit one hard will either see him not get round and will put paid to his chances at a crucial stage, especially at the fast pace will put even more pressure on his sloppy jumping whilst Top Gamble and Traffic Fluide looks outclassed.
Sizing Granite is the current outsider of the field and appears to be regressive after being pulled up in this race 12 months ago.
In summary, I expect another Douvan masterclass with Special Tiara to chase him home and Fox Norton staying on late to fill the places.
Tips
WON – Back Special Tiara ‘without Douvan’ (e/w) for a 2/10 stake at 6.00 Bet365 (1/5 1-3)
Back it here:
BOOKIES OFFERS
BETFAIR
NEW CUSTOMERS
CUE CARD and DOUVAN TO WIN AT THE FESTIVAL – A STUNNING 25/1
OFFER ENDS – WEDNESDAY 15th MARCH AT 15.30.
Click on the image to open an account with Betfair and back this great double.
See Betfair for full details.
PADDY POWER
NEW CUSTOMERS
ALTIOR & DOUVAN TO BOTH WIN – A MASSIVE 10/1
Click on the banner to bet on this great double.
See Paddy Power for full details.
BETFAIR
NEW CUSTOMERS – DAY TWO
DOUVAN TO WIN THE CHAMPION CHASE – A HUGE 6/1
OFFER ENDS – WEDNESDAY 14th MARCH AT 15.30.
Click on the image to open an account with Betfair. See Betfair for full details.
PADDY POWER
NEW CUSTOMERS – DAY TWO
DOUVAN TO WIN THE CHAMPION CHASE – A HUGE 6/1
OFFER ENDS – WEDNESDAY 14th MARCH AT 15.30.
Click on the image to open an account with PP.
See Paddy Power for full details.
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