Races

Andrew Hawkins’ Cheltenham Festival Preview: Day 2

Posted on | Posted by Andrew Hawkins

RACE 1

Day 2 begins with the G1 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle. It is similar to the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle which kicks off the opening day, but the Ballymore is run over an extended 4200m instead of the 3300m of the Supreme. This looks a competitive race but the preference is for GAELIC WARRIOR, who won a handicap with a big weight at his most recent start. He won his maiden by 86 lengths at Tramore in December – not a margin you see every day – and he looks to have the class to win a race of this nature. Owned by the Riccis, who have had horses like Max Dynamite and Thomas Hobson, don’t be surprised if he even develops into a Melbourne Cup type in the future. Of the rest, the unbeaten IMPAIRE ET PASSE could be anything, as could last-start G1 winner HERMES ALLEN, in what looks a fascinating contest.

Numbers: 3-5-7-2

Suggested Bet: Gaelic Warrior WIN

RACE 2

The G1 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, over 4900m, is still widely referred to by its former sponsored name, the RSA. With a host of top class winners from Arkle to Denman, it is well known for unveiling future Cheltenham Gold Cup candidates. You really could make a case for any of these and perhaps it’s worthwhile having a stab in the dark. THUNDER ROCK’s jumping hasn’t been that fluent and he does have almost six lengths to find on the reopposing GERRI COLOMBE. However, he looks a horse who should appreciate getting out in trip and up that Cheltenham hill over the concluding stages, he could be one to flash home. GALIA DES LITEAUX and Gerri Colombe are next best, slightly ahead of THE REAL WHACKER, but it’s certainly competitive.

Numbers: 9-11-4-8

Suggested Bet: Thunder Rock EACH WAY

RACE 3

The Coral Cup is a race that has had Melbourne Cup candidates before, with dual Flemington contender Wicklow Brave finishing a short-head second in this race in 2019. Run over hurdles over 4200m, the same course and distance as the Ballymore, it is a race that has been won by horses at double figures six of the last seven years (including at 33/1 in 2021 and 50/1 in 2022). Perhaps it can be Joseph O’Brien – who is also set to saddle up runners in Sydney this weekend! – who can continue his remarkable fledgling training career with a fourth Cheltenham Festival victory. SAN SALVADOR looks to be coming right at just the right time and he’s the type who looks well suited, especially given his win over another rival CAPTAIN CONBY last time out. HMS SEAHORSE, a brother to Cox Plate runner-up Armory, should relish this trip, while BENSON is flying and deserves respect.

Numbers: 21-17-15-10

Suggested Bet: San Salvador EACH WAY

RACE 4

Day two is highlighted by the G1 Queen Mother Champion Chase over 3200m. The leading steeplechase over a shorter trip on the English calendar, it was famously won by Australia’s Crisp in 1971. Last year’s Arkle winner EDWARDSTONE is the favourite, coming off a win in the Tingle Creek earlier in the season and a fighting second in the rescheduled Clarence House here at Cheltenham. However, while he deserves to be favourite, last year’s winner ENERGUMENE can easily bounce back here and looms as the one to beat. He disappointed in the Clarence House but was so good over in Ireland before that and he should be fighting fit here. Maybe GREANETEEN can add some value to exotics.

Numbers: 4-3-6-2

Suggested Bet: Energumene WIN

RACE 5

The Glenfarclas is one of the most eagerly anticipated races of the week. Run over the testing cross country course, this steeplechase is the longest (at 6000m and change) and most challenging of all of the races during the week. Two-time Grand National winner Tiger Roll won this race three times before finishing runner-up at his final start last year. It is a race where the last seven winners have been 7/1 or less and the market looks to have it right as a race in two between last year’s winner DELTA WORK and previous Festival winner GALVIN, both for trainer Gordon Elliott. Could really go for either of the two and given there is so little between them, might be worth chancing Galvin at the bigger price. However, they look the lock quinella of the week. If there’s one who could add some juice to the exotics, it’s 2020 winner of this race EASYSLAND – he’s been badly out of kilter but he’s so good on his day, it would be interesting to see if this race is where he returns to some of that old form.

Numbers: 10-4-6-1

Suggested Bet: Galvin WIN

RACE 6

The Grand Annual (not to be confused with the Warrnambool marathon of the same name) is a handicap chase over the same course and distance as the Queen Mother Champion Chase. It is the Festival’s oldest race, dating back to 1834, although it wasn’t run for most of the latter part of the 19th century. Could go any number of ways in this but hoping for a better effort from ELIXIR DE NUTZ this year. Came into this in good form last year but was pulled up. His form this year is even better so hopefully he can perform well this time around. EPSON DU HOUX and MIDNIGHT RUN are leading contenders too while SIZING POTTSIE with cheekpieces on could improve out of sight. FINAL ORDERS just keeps winning too.

Numbers: 7-9-10-17

Suggested Bet: Elixir De Nutz EACH WAY

RACE 7

The sole flat race of the week is the G1 Champion Bumper over 3300m. Restricted to National Hunt horses who have not previously run under any other form of racing (as in, they can’t have stepped out on the flat in the UK or abroad, nor can they have gone over hurdles or fences), this is used as a stepping stone towards jumps races. The favourite A DREAM TO SHARE, a half-brother to Raise You – who will contest either the G1 Ranvet Stakes or the G3 N E Manion Cup at Rosehill on Saturday – looks the one to beat after a big win in a G2 at Leopardstown. Reckon he’s got a very bright future. FUN FUN FUN might be the main danger, while BETTER DAYS AHEAD is unexposed and can run a race.

Numbers: 1-19-3-18

Suggested Bet: A Dream To Share WIN

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