The 2023 Cheltenham Festival: Placepot picks for day two
With a guaranteed pool of £1million up for grabs every day at the Cheltenham Festival, here's our thoughts on how best to play Wednesday
Leg 1: 1.30pm
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There have been four winning favourites in the last five renewals, three of whom were odds-on. IMPAIRE ET PASSE (7) won’t be that short with Gaelic Warrior and Hermes Allen up against him but he skipped clear of the field in good fashion at Punchestown and has been very strong in the ante-post markets in the run-up. He is a banker.
Being popular with the punters didn’t stop Gaelic Warrior being turned over in the Fred Winter last year (beaten a short-head) but it wouldn’t be a surprise if Rich Ricci’s runner did go one better here.
Stage Star didn’t live up to his name in last year’s renewal but stablemate Hermes Allen might fare better. He’s had praise heaped upon him but faces significantly stiffer opposition including the solid but unsexy pair of Good Land and Champ Kiely.
Leg 2: 2.10pm
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The wet weather has arrived just in time for GERRI COLOMBE (4) and turned the ground in his favour. He has looked a standout performer in a weak division, powering home at Sandown in a fashion that suggests he’ll relish the longer trip. Again, he can't be opposed for Placepot purposes.
The Real Whacker has dispatched better fancied rivals from bigger stables in winning both chase starts but the suspicion remains that he will be found wanting at this level. Thunder Rock has finished behind both rivals but could strike a more meaningful blow now taking them on over a more suitable trip.
Sir Gerhard lacks chasing experience, but winning these races after one start over fences has been done, while top-class staying hurdler Thyme Hill hasn’t always impressed with his jumping but did last time; he has the class to win this. Galia Des Liteaux pulled up behind him at Christmas but Dan Skelton has consistently talked up his mare’s chances.
Leg 3: 2.50pm
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One from the top and the two from the bottom may be the best way to approach this conundrum. CAMPROND (18) was fourth last year and looks to have been trained with this race in mind ever since. A downpour on the day didn’t help his chance 12 months ago but it shouldn’t be quite as testing and he can leave this season’s undistinguished form behind.
The consistent HMS Seahorse is hard to leave out having also run well at last year’s Festival, while the well handicapped Beacon Edge has attracted steady support in the build-up. But let’s take a second dart with the aptly named GOOD RISK AT ALL (11) whose trainer landed a recent big prize with a runner returning from a lay-off. This trip on soft ground looks ideal. AN EPIC SONG (21) has a very similar profile to last year’s second for the same connections and he, too, could step up on this season’s efforts.
Leg 4: 3.30pm
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Shishkin ruined many a Placepot when blowing out in last year’s renewal, won by Energumene who, himself, did likewise when only third of six in the Clarence House Chase here in January. Fate can be a cruel mistress! EDWARDSTONE (3) - who unseated when 2/5 on his prior start - and Editeur Du Gite finished in front of Energumene that day. Edwardstone is a confident choice as a Placepot banker.
Nube Negra was deemed an unlucky loser in some quarters when second in 2021 but was ruled out by soft ground last year and the weather has again been unkind. Funambule Sivola was second 12 months ago and returned to form at Newbury; he could pick up some of the crumbs if others fail to fire.
Leg 5 - 4.10pm
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DELTA WORK (15) should do what’s expected of him and follow-up last year’s victory. He’s incredibly hard to fault and will surely hit the frame for Placepot purpoes.
‘Shoulda, woulda, coulda, are the last words of a fool’ according to Beverley Knight and the first three words could emerge from my lips if Delta Work blows out and Galvin hits the frame.
Like Delta Work last year, he is a high-class recruit to this discipline, but one that we have yet to see over a Cross-Country course. Franco De Port is a similar type but the race for third looks open with Plan Of Attack, Diesel D’Allier, Deise Aba and Back On The Lash all viable contenders for minor honours.
Leg 6 - 4.50pm
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ANDY DUFRESNE (1) had to settle for a supporting role last year, a case of nominative determinism perhaps, but the beaten favourite lines up from the same mark and has to be high on the short-list in a first-time tongue-tie.
Dinoblue has a sexier profile but has yet to cash the cheques that her reputation suggests she’s worth, including when beaten last time. Final Orders and last year’s winner Global Citizen may help set the race up for a finisher like Limerick winner MASKADA (16), who travelled well for a long way last time, or her classy stablemate COEUR SUBLIME (2). Third Time Lucki returned to form with a stylish success at Sandown whereas Sizing Pottsie has been struggling but is handicapped accordingly and will be more at home in this company; market support would make him of interest.
Tote Placepot Perm for Wednesday
9 lines (1x1x3x1x1x3)
Leg 1: 7 Impaire Et Passe
Leg 2: 4 Gerri Colombe
Leg 3: 11 Good Risk At All, 18 Camprond, 21 An Epic Song
Leg 4: 5 Edwardstone
Leg 5: 15 Delta Work
Leg 6: 1 Andy Dufresne, 2 Coeur Sublime, 16 Maskada
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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