How To Bet £20 on day two of the Cheltenham Festival
One of the many great things about the Cheltenham Festival is that you get to back quality horses at big prices.
But it’s no good trying to hit the ball out of the park when those at the head of the market are rock solid and that looks the case at Cheltenham on Wednesday with Edwardstone, Gerri Colombe, Delta Work and Hermes Allen all having excellent claims in their respective races.
Edwardstone seeks to improve the impressive record of Arkle winners in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase and, quite simply, has simply taken his form to another level this term.
He was most impressive when winning the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown in December, when he slammed such as Shishkin and Gentleman De Mee (both subsequent Grade One winners) plus Funambule Sivola (since a Grade Two winner and runner-up in the Champion Chase last year).
He came up a bit short in the rescheduled Clarence House Chase on the New Course at Cheltenham last time, when beaten a head by Editeur Du Gite, but still shaped like very much the best horse in the race.
Perhaps understandably, his jockey Tom Cannon stalked the odds-on Energumene but, with that horse below-par, he was caught out of his ground as Editeur Du Gite pressed on.
Edwardstone did manage to muscle his way to the front but the front-runner, given an immaculate ride, rallied to snatch the spoils. I’m confident the tables will be turned, and that he will confirm his superiority over Energumene. He rates the day's nap.
Gerri Colombe, unbeaten in seven starts, is the one they all have to beat in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase.
He’s not one to dish out a drubbing but again always looked like winning when taking the Scilly Isles Novices' Chase at Sandown last time.
Gordon Elliott’s seven-year-old, seemingly well served by soft/heavy ground, has been crying out for further and should relish stepping up to three miles.
Delta Work, also trained by Elliott, looks something of a gift, at odds against, to retain his Glenfarclas Chase crown. He mastered the legend that is Tiger Roll in last year’s renewal, when the ground was similarly testing, and confirmed all his powers were intact when third under a big weight over the course in January.
Galvin, his stablemate, is officially rated superior but he’s not been firing on all cylinders this campaign and this will be his first run at the cross-country track.
There seems a huge amount of confidence at Closutton in Impaire Et Passe, who is favourite for the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle.
He’s looked most exciting in winning his two races this winter but, at twice his price, I’m happy to stick with Hermes Allen, who breezed home at Cheltenham’s November Meeting before cruising to a similarly emphatic victory in the Challow Hurdle at Newbury on New Year’s Eve.
The record of Challow winners in the Ballymore is miserable but the form is working out well enough and there have to be exceptions to every rule.
Those seeking chunkier odds should consider the credentials of Captain Conby in the Coral Cup plus The Last Day in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase.
Dusty Sheehy’s Captain Conby has the right profile, being a useful novice last season who has shaped well in defeat this term.
He possibly didn’t get home when a close third over 3m at Punchestown in November and looked an unlucky loser over an extended 2m3f at that track last time, with San Salvador slipping the field after two out.
Captain Conby can turn the tables with the help of a 4lb pull and his high cruising speed should serve him well. Like Delta Work,he will be partnered by Keith Donoghue.
My Grand Annual shortlist initially comprised Saint Segal, Shakem Up’arry and Grey Diamond but none are in the final field. Put them in your Racing TV Trackers as the trio all have an upside.
Their absence has left me rather scratching my head but, at a general 25-1, The Last Day warrants a second look.
He’s got very few miles on the clock for an 11-year-old and was a fluent winner of the Red Rum Chase at Aintree on his final start of last term. The form of that race stands close inspection.
The Last Day was friendless on his return at Sandown a couple of months ago, when burdened with 12st, but tanked through the majority of the race before folding in the home straight.
It looked a blatant case of him needing the run (which the market also suggested) and I expect him to be much straighter this time. He’s been eased 2lb and gets weight from all but one of his 19 rivals. There's no way he should be 25-1 to judge by that Aintree win.
How To Bet £20 at Cheltenham on Wednesday
OPTION ONE
1.30 Cheltenham: Hermes Allen £3 win at a general 7-2
2.10 Cheltenham: Gerri Colombe £4 win at a general 13-8
2.50 Cheltenham: Captain Conby £1.50 each-way at a general 12-1
3.30 Cheltenham: Edwardstone £3 win at a general 13-8
4.10 Cheltenham: Delta Work £4 win at 11-8 with William Hill
4.50 Cheltenham: The Last Day £1.50 each-way at a general 25-1 (six places)
OPTION TWO
£1.30 Win Yankee (costing £14.30)
1.30 Cheltenham: Hermes Allen
2.10 Cheltenham: Gerri Colombe
3.30 Cheltenham: Edwardstone
4.10 Cheltenham: Delta Work
10p Win Heinz (costing £5.70)
Above quartet plus:
2.50 Cheltenham: Captain Conby
4.50 Cheltenham: The Last Day
Cheltenham Festival tips for Wednesday:
Lydia Hislop's top tips for day two
The Irish Angle: Johnny Ward's top tips
Cheltenham Festival: verdicts on key Britain v Ireland clashes
Cheltenham Festival: three runners who stand out on the clock
Cheltenham Festival tips: Harry Allwood's best handicap bets
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