Cheltenham Day Two Betting Tips: Who will step up in Altior’s absence in the Champion Chase?
Odds, tips and preview for the second day’s racing
It’s Day Two of the greatest jump show on turf. We’re back with a further seven races, including the Queen Mother Champion Chase, where Altior won’t be running for his hat-trick.
The Nicky Henderson-trained 10-year-old has been declared a non-runner after the favourite was found to be lame over the weekend, meaning his chance of winning three Champion Chase titles in a row comes too soon.
Today’s racing gets underway at 13:30 with the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle, before our attention switches to the Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle at 14:30, followed by today’s feature, the Queen Mother Champion Chase at 15:30.
The day will draw to a close at 17:30 with the Champion Bumper and we’ve gone through the form books to give you our tips for Ladies Day at this year’s Cheltenham Festival…
The Big Breakaway – 13:30 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle
It looks to be a thrilling curtain raiser on Day Two, with a field packed with runners in stellar form. It’s Envoi Allen that heads the betting after three wins from three over hurdles this season, but he’s likely to face stiff competition from Sporting John and The Big Breakaway.
It’s the Colin Tizzard-trained five-year-old gelding that has caught our eye though. He put together impressive wins in his last two runs over hurdles, beating Blackjack Kentucky by 8l at Chepstow and Papa Tango Charly by 7l at Newbury.
More will be demanded from him in this race if he’s to challenge, but jockey Robbie Power could get the best out of him and would be a worthy challenger at the front of the pack. The Ballymore has been won by either five or six-year-olds in every race since 1998.
Defi Du Seuil – 15:30 Queen Mother Champion Chase
We knew we’d be without the headline act Altior in the Champion Chase, but Chacun Pour Soi also pulled out on the morning of the race.
That means new favourite Defi Du Seuil, trained by Philip Hobbs and ridden by Barry Geraghty, could edge this one. His only defeat in his last six runs came at Punchestown last May, when he came second to Chacun Pour Soi.
His last run in the Clarence House at Ascot in January showed signs of strength in what was an impressive win by just under 3l over Un De Sceaux.
Two previous Festival wins could give him the edge regarding experience here, although there’s potential for a surprise here.
Easysland – 16:10 Cross Country Chase
Tiger Roll may be the overwhelming favourite to claim for a win in the Cross Country for a third-consecutive year, but with Easysland in the field, he might not have it all his own way.
The six-year-old gelding, trained by David Cottin is in supreme form, winning his last six races with breaks in between, including a win over course and distance in December, where he won by 7l from Amazing Comedy.
After a 316 day lay-off, favourite Tiger Roll could only manage a fifth-placed finish a month ago at Navan, but it was a performance filled with promise.
Easysland looks like he should have more left in the tank to compete over the 3m 6f course. It’ll be down to jockey Jonathan Plouganou to get the very best from him to maintain his impressive form and take the race to Tiger Roll.
Cheltenham Festival Day Two Racing Tips:
13:30 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle – The Big Breakaway
14:10 RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase – Copperhead
14:50 Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle – Protektorat
15:30 Queen Mother Champion Chase – Defi Du Seuil
16:10 Cross Country Chase – Easysland
16:50 Boodles Handicap Hurdle – Palladium
17:30 Champion Bumper – Israel Champ
View the latest Cheltenham Festival odds.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publication.
