Champion Chase takes centre stage on day two of Cheltenham Festival

His main rivals include defending champion Politologue and the progressive Nube Negra. We’ve once again previewed all of the action with our race-by-race guide.

1.20pm Grade One Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle

A fantastic contest to start the action on day two. Bob Olinger has been touted as a serious contender for this event at preview evenings and comes into the race on the back of an easy win in G1 company at Naas last time out. Gaillard Du Mesnil is another last time out G1 winner, but did have a hard race at Leopardstown last time out.

With that in mind, the Paul Nicholls-trained Bravemansgame makes plenty of appeal. He landed the Challow Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury on his latest start, showing a smart turn of foot to score. He looks sure to excel over three miles in time, but this intermediate trip is perfect for the time being and he makes plenty of appeal.

Selection: Bravemansgame 3/1

1.55pm Grade One Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase

This is all about the hugely exciting Monkfish. Willie Mullins’ charge tasted success at last year’s meeting in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle and has looked sensational in three starts over fences this term. His latest success came at the Dublin Racing Festival where he cruised into contention and put the race to bed in a matter of strides.

The Big Breakaway is a winner at Cheltenham this term and could chase him home, but this Monkfish looks one of the banker bets of the week.

Selection: Monkfish 8/13

2.30pm Coral Cup

Koshari has been the subject of bullish market support for this event having caught the eye when sixth on his latest start. However, Botox Has could be well-handicapped. He has won two of his three starts at the track and has been primed for the race by trainer Gary Moore. This course clearly plays to his strengths and a handicap mark of 142 makes him of serious interest.

Selection: Botox Has 12/1

3.05pm Grade One Champion Chase

A superb renewal of the two-mile chasing championship. Chacun Pour Soi has looked imperious in three starts this term and impressed on his latest run when scoring at Leopardstown. He has yet to run at Cheltenham and whilst the track is an unknown, he looks the class angle here and can give Willie Mullins a first win in this event.

With Altior ruled out of the race, Nube Negra, a smart winner at Kempton last time out looks a legitimate challenger. 2020 winner Politologue also has questions to answer having been beaten by First Flow at Ascot last time out.

Selection: Chacun Pour Soi 4/5

3.40pm Glenfarclas Chase

Tiger Roll is a dual winner of this event and is looking for a fifth win at the Cheltenham Festival. However, the two-time Cheltenham Festival winner looks to have questions to answer this term. He has failed to fire and was pulled-up over this course and distance cat Cheltenham in November.

With that in mind, Easysland looks the more solid option for Frnech trainer David Cottin. He dispatched of Tiger Roll with ease in this event last year and his season has been focused around this event.

Selection: Easysland Evs

4.15pm Grand Annual

An interesting event in which Zanza has been the subject of sustained support in recent weeks. A smart winner at Newbury on his penultimate start, he was travelling strongly when falling at Cheltenham last time out and looks well-handicapped off a mark of 145.

There are plenty in with chances including Embittered who remains unexposed for Joseph O’Brien and the progressive Umbrigado.

Selection: Zanza 8/1

4.50pm Grade One Champion Bumper

Willie Mullins has won this race 10 times and can record an 11th win in the event with Kilcruit. He impressed with the manner of his victory at Leopardstown last time out, quickening away in fine style. Mullins also now trains his main market rival, the £400,000 purchase Sir Gerhard who is unbeaten in two starts under Rules. He easily landed the spoils at Navan on his latest start and looks sure to give Kilcruit plenty to think about.

Dan Skelton is also very sweet on the chances of Elle Est Belle who gets a mares’ allowance and also boasts winning form over the course and distance. However, Kilcruit was visually very impressive on his latest start and he gets the vote in the finale.

Selection: Kilcruit 15/8

Tips and analysis via Betting Expert