After some fantastic racing on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival which was highlighted by some truly special performances, it is onto day 2 in Gloucestershire where the good races and top class operators keep on coming.
The feature race on the Wednesday of any Cheltenham Festival is the Champion Chase and this year we have a heavyweight showdown on the cards. We’re not so sure it will be just between the two protagonists though. Here is our big race preview.
15.30 Cheltenham: Champion Chase
Preview
The highlight of Day 2 is the Queen Mother Champion Chase & this year’s contest looks to be one of the best in many a year with Shiskin, Energumene & Chacun Pour Soi doing battle. Add to that the top class Envoi Allen, last winner’s first & second Put The Kettle On & Nube Negra, this is surely the race of the meeting. Last year’s Arkle winner Shiskin is unbeaten in 7 starts & is surely going to be hard to stop here. The race of the season so far was the Clarence House at Ascot & despite not travelling the best, he still got up to beat Energumene & I can see the tables being turned today. Energumene was previously 5 from 5 over fences until that Ascot race but his lack of a run at Cheltenham is a slight concern. Chacun Pour Soi was odds on for this last year but could finish 3rd & this year faces a much tougher task. He has won 2 from 3 this year but disappointed when last in the Tingle Creek.
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Contenders
Coming into the Marsh last year, Envoi Allen was 12 from 12 in his career including 2 Festival wins but fell early that day & since then his career hasn’t exactly gone to plan. Quite frankly, I don’t think he has the speed & is passed over despite there being quite a bit of money around for him. Last year’s winner Put The Kettle On has a 4 from 5 record here at Cheltenham but has had a poor season & saw his first defeat at the track when a poor 3rd of 4 in the Shloer back in November. She’s a massive price & did us a good turn 12 months ago but I just cannot see a repeat.
Betting
It’s going to be hard to beat Shiskin but I think that last year’s runner up, Nube Negra, could give him most to do. This is a race full of pace & that should suit our selection perfectly. He travelled really well off the pace last year & was a little unlucky when not jumping the last foot perfect & having to be switched on the run in. However, he finished with a rattle & should be finishing to best effect today. To me, it’s really a question of whether he’s still travelling & in touch at the foot of the hill. He won the Shloer in November so confirmed his liking for the track but has posted a couple of disappointing efforts either side of that when the races weren’t run to suit. A 3 month break will have freshened him up & at the prices, he’s the best each way alternative to the favourite.
Tips
VOID – Back Nube Negra (e/w) for a 0.75/10 stake at 19.00 William Hill BOG (⅕ odds 1-3)
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