Jump racing expert Dan Overall marks your card for the Tote Placepot on day two of the Cheltenham Festival! Enjoy all the action live on Racing TV.
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LEG ONE: Gallagher Novices' Hurdle
The great Ballyburn debacle is over; the Supreme was passed over for a shot at the newly-named Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle.
He looks the standout novice hurdler this season, and that status has led to the likes of Slade Steel take in the Supreme (and win!) in an attempt to avoid him. His Grade One victory at the DRF was very impressive, and the fact that the distant third and fourth are well fancied for the County Hurdle speaks volumes.
Stepping up in trip is not an issue, given his stout pedigree, and he should take a world of beating here.
Should something untoward happen to Ballyburn, Ile Atlantique looks likely to run well. He did little wrong when second in the Lawlors of Naas, having made most of the running. A strong traveller, he’s likely to be ridden positively and has rock-solid place credentials. Willie Mullins had the 1-2-3 in this race last year, and could repeat that feat.
Selections: Ballyburn & Ile Atlantique.
LEG TWO: Brown Advisory Novices' Chase
Fact To File – perhaps the most talked-up horse of the Cheltenham preview night circuit. Will he justify all the talk?
Perhaps he will, but for Placepot purposes, Stay Away Fay looks solid given we know he’s a thorough stayer that should relish this test. I’m not sure the bare form of his run in the Cotswold Chase should be taken literally, as all of his more experienced rivals had questions to answer going into the race, but it was a good effort nonetheless.
An honourable mention goes to Broadway Boy – a horse I adore – who unfortunately misses the race due to an unsatisfactory tracheal wash. He has his detractors, but I’m convinced he would have run a massive race given his course form and his run style. Aintree is seemingly his next port of call, and I look forward to it.
Selections: Stay Away Fay.
LEG THREE: Coral Cup
Perhaps the most competitive handicap of the week. Sa Majeste is a fascinating contender, but this is often won by a more experienced type and so for Placepot purposes, I’m looking elsewhere.
Doddiethegreat is crying out for a step up in trip and the form of his runs over two miles looks rock solid, with Go Dante & Faivoir franking the form of the Betfair Hurdle in the Imperial Cup. Nicky Henderson has a great record in this race, and his experience in competitive handicaps should hold him in good stead.
Might I has plenty of talent but has often found winning a challenge. Fourth in last year's Martin Pipe, he travelled well into the race as he often does, and I can see a similar outcome here. He’s 3lb lower than he was 12 months ago, which is a positive, and horses returning from chasing have often gone well in Coral Cups.
Selections: Doddiethegreat & Might I.
LEG FOUR: Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase
El Fabiolo, rather strangely, in my opinion, has his detractors. Shots are often taken at his jumping, and while he doesn’t always make the best shape over a fence, he never looks like falling and his main market rival, Jonbon, made several fiddly errors when last seen before a calamitous error at the fourth last.
He proved his superiority over Jonbon in last year’s Arkle, and it’s difficult to envisage him being beaten here.
Selection: El Fabiolo.
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LEG FIVE: Glenfarclas Chase (Cross Country Chase)
With classier types running here these days, it’s not been a race for outsiders.
The ground on the cross-country course is notably heavier than the new/old, which disadvantages Galvin but Delta Work is sure to appreciate it. He’s won the past two renewals of this race, has had a very similar prep to last year, and it’s hard to see him being far away given his season has revolved around this.
Minella Indo took exceptionally well to the discipline when fourth here in December, giving an abundance of weight away to the majority of his rivals. Horses often improve markedly for their first experience at this unique course, and the vibes have been overwhelmingly positive about the former Gold Cup winner. While he’s the same age as Delta Work, he’s had thirteen less races, and perhaps that will be the difference.
Selections: Minella Indo & Delta Work.
LEG SIX: Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase
Sa Fureur has impressed me over fences this season and his form ties in with some of the leading novice chasers. He would’ve finished a good second to Hunters Yarn when that rival fell, pulling well clear of the remainder, before improving again to chase home Quilixios at Naas. He jumps well, and he was one of the gambles of the week in last year’s Coral Cup (had a horrid trip round on that occasion). There should be more to come.
Calico may be vulnerable for win purposes, hindered by his consistency, but has proven a reliable conveyance in these competitive two-mile handicaps and has run well at Cheltenham twice this season. He’ll be ridden prominently, which is a positive, and should give another good account of himself.
Selections: Sa Fureur & Calico.
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