Cheltenham- Day Two

Day One drew a blank for myself but with short favourites going in left right and centre, I'm willing to overlook it. Just got to keep doing what your doing, don't change anything and stick to your convictions. That's the best advice I can give to myself. Day Two is another day and WE GO AGAIN...

Race 1- Neptune Investment Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) 1:30

NICHOLS CANYON- a horse who I've been very fond of this season. A first Grade 1 win in the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse was followed by a comprehensive win in the Deloitte at Leopardstown. Front running tactics were used to good effect that day, as he battled on well to fend off all challengers. His flat breeding is a slight worry and being by Authorized, good ground would be a little alarming. But he's done little wrong this year bar unseating Ruby in the Future Champions at Leopardstown and should put in another bold show here.

WINDSOR PARK- he was second behind Nichols Canyon in the Deloitte and was beaten by Outlander before that. They also re-oppose today but this Galileo gelding could reverse the form. He'll love the ground and looked to need a little extra distance when trailing home behind Nichols Canyon last time out. Will need to brush up on his jumping but having Davy Russell in the saddle at Cheltenham is a big plus; he rides the course so well and always gets a winner at the Festival. This may be one of many this year.

Ordo Ab Chao could be the main danger but may want softer ground. Seven year olds have a poor record in this so Parlour Games and Outlander could be up against it.

Nichols Canyon (right) and Windsor Park (purple).

Race 2- RSA Chase (Grade 1) 2:05

There's no avoiding the glaring stat for this race. The last EIGHT winners of this race have been seven year old, Irish breds. Apache Jack and The Ould Lad look out of their depth whilst If In Doubt is interesting but will have to brush up on his jumping to play a part here. May also want softer ground.

KINGS PALACE- Heralded by many as a horse undeserving of his short price but I disagree. Won all three chase starts with relative ease, including two here at Prestbury Park. Highly thought of by connections, his jumping is usually on point, if not for the odd guessy leap. Big chance if on his 'A' game.

SOUTHFIELD THEATRE- Been campaigned fairly quietly for this, with wins in small fields at local tracks Wincanton and Exeter. Paul Nicholls is said to be rather bullish about his chances and he might have good reason to be. Never been outside of the first four at the course, the worst run of five being a four-length fourth behind The New One. Now that's not bad at all. Expect a big run.

Race 3- Coral Cup (Grade 3 Handicap Hurdle) 2:40

Often seen as one of the real "minefield" races of the week, this year's renewal is certainly no exception. Twenty-six runners whittled down to three.

LAC FONTANA- a former Grade 1 winner in a handicap, he hasn't really sparkled this season. However, his three wins at the course make him one to respect massively, as this is a race where the last five winners have all finished in the top four at Cheltenham previously. If he's back to his best and on a going day, he should run a good race.

MARINERO- Two aspects make him of interest in this. Firstly, his weight. Shane Shortall's five pound claim means he only has to carry 10-1, the lowest weight by five pounds. Secondly, his six-and-three-quarter length defeat behind the Supreme winner Douvan looks scintillating following Tuesday's opener. Sizing John got beat by twelve lengths in his first meeting with Douvan; he was third behind Rich Ricci's classy horse in the Supreme. That gives extra kudos to Marinero's chances.

PLINTH- won two races in November, then was well beaten by Hurricane Fly, Jezki and Arctic Fire in two G1 races at Leopardstown. Clearly outclassed, could be one to keep an eye on in handicap company for Aidan O'Brien. And listen, you obviously wouldn't put anything past the Master of Ballydoyle.

Race 4- QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE (Grade 1) 3:20

Two Champions vs Two Pretenders

Sire De Grugy won a weak renewal of this race last year and may find too much on his plate this time around with the horses he's up against. Sprinter Sacre ran a decent reappearance but cannot be backed as favourite for me, given we don't really know if he'll be back to his imperious best.

So I'm going for the pretenders to the crown...

DODGING BULLETS- been grand to me this season with Tingle Creek and Clarence House wins. Clearly the form horse going into the race, the worries are his Cheltenham form and his spring form. Neither are great, in fact they're poor. But, if he can leave those hoodoos behind him, he's the one to beat here.

Dodging Bullets

CHAMPAGNE FEVER- no complaints with this horse's Cheltenham form. Wins in the Bumper and Supreme were followed by a shock second in the Arkle last year (I've still no idea how he lost it to this day). Been campaigned to get the Gold Cup trip this season but a possible non-staying performance in the King George brought this two mile race into the equation. A bold, front runner who's jumping is his forte (despite falling at the last when challenging two starts ago). Big player if getting things his own way.

NON RUNNER

Champagne Fever (right)

Revised selection- MR MOLE

Paul Nicholls seems to finally be getting the best out of this recalcitrant horse. Won the Game Spirit well last time out despite Sire De Grugy and Uxizandre both failing to complete. However, he's looked a completely different horse this season and is well worth is chance in this.  

A very interesting race, that's for sure.

Race 5- Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase (Class 2) 4:00

I like to back horses with decent course experience in this; it's nice to know that your horse can cope with the quirky features this unique track has to offer.

SIRE COLLONGES- Winner over C&D in December 2013. Paul Nicholls fancies this horse a fair bit. Will love the ground and evidently stays. Knows his way around the course, big chance.

DUKE OF LUCCA- Fourth in this race last year. Richard Johnson claims this could be his ride of the week. Another who likes good ground.

QUANTITATIVEEASING- Second over C&D in December 2014. Enda Bolger is the master of races in this sphere and is likely to have him primed for this. No win since 2011 is a worry but he could be capable of reversing the form with Any Currency, despite the twelve length gap. Any Currency was due a win of that type and had it; that might have been his day in the sun after many crossbar attempts.

Race 6- Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) 4:40

Most past winners of this have had Official Rating's of 130 or less, so it should pay to look at horses towards the foot of the weights. There aren't many horses who fit that criterion; Sebastian Beach and Beatabout The Bush and The Wallace Line may not be good enough.

They'd also had their last run within forty days of the race.

SOURIYAN- (OR-133... 130 with 3 pound claim). Gave the fairly capable pair of Sebastian Beach (re-opposes) and Skylander a comprehensive beating at Exeter before being beaten by a narrow margin in heavy ground at Ffos Las. Probably wasn't suited by the ground, much better proposition with the going here.

HOSTILE FIRE- (OR 131). Representing the connections that won this with Flaxen Flare two years ago, a first time tongue-tie brought with it a maiden success over hurdle last time out. Potentially well treated off that weight, a big plus.

QUALANDO- (OR 131). Ran two nice races in England thus far, his debut on these shores being a second behind the useful Herbert Park and his following run being a comfortable enough win. He looks to be progressing nicely and is another who looks well treated off his mark. Good ground a worry but if he copes, he'll be a player.

Zarib and Bouvreuil are two more that cannot be ignored.

Race 7- Champion Bumper (Grade 1) 5:20

This was a hard race to get down to three. Interesting little stat that only one French bred horse has won this race this millennium, the Philip Hobbs trained Cheltenian. French bred horses, trained in Ireland, have a poor record in this. Therefore, I was able to take Bordini and Au Quart De Tour out of my provisional list.

PYLONTHEPRESSURE- Won his two starts for Willie Mullins with consummate ease, much to his trainer's apparent surprise. Improving all the time they claim, Rich Ricci believing he's now his main hope in this. 

NON RUNNER

STONE HARD- Labelled as a horse for the future but his bumper form isn't all that shabby. Also two from two for Willie Mullins and also couldn't have done it much easier. Good ground an unknown but one to respect.

JETSTREAM JACK- Gordon Elliot is said to think a fair bit of him. Won his sole Rules start fairly nicely on New Years Day, the second on that occasion has won nicely since.

Revised selection- BELSHILL

Interesting that Ruby Walsh have chosen to ride him, given that he has ridden Wylie owned in the last two outings, both of which were Willie Mullins' best finisher in those years (2013- won with Briar Hill, 2014- second with Shaneshill). Looks a tough horse, so hopefully won't shirk away from a battle up the hill. Beaten by Vigil last time out but I fancy him to reverse the form here; horses that have run in this race don't tend to do will at the second attempt and Vigil tries to do this.

DODGING BULLETS- NAP

NICHOLS CANYON- NB

SIRE COLLONGES- L15

LAC FONTANA- L15

Hope everybody has a smashing Day 2 at Cheltenham and, of course...

Happy Cheltenham Punting!