Day two of Cheltenham: Final Demand and The New Lion on collision course

All of the big names have stood their ground for the main supporting races on day two of the Cheltenham Festival, which could open with a mouthwatering clash between Final Demand and The New Lion.

The dominant duo in the Turners Novices’ Hurdle market stepped up to Grade One level in style on their respective last starts, with the latter since snapped up by leading owner JP McManus after impressing for Dan and Harry Skelton in the Challow Hurdle.

Final Demand – who is also entered in Friday’s Albert Bartlett – is one of 11 possible runners in the Turners for Willie Mullins, but Kopeck Des Bordes was missing from the list of confirmations, meaning the runway is clear for him to take his place in the opening day’s Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

Gordon Elliott’s The Yellow Clay and Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Potters Charm are others heading into the race with a Grade One victory over hurdles already to their name, while Fergal O’Brien’s Sixmilebridge claimed the scalp of Potters Charm on Festival Trials day and could get his handler off the mark at the meeting.

Mullins again holds a significant hand in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, with previous Festival winner Ballyburn, Dancing City, Lecky Watson and Quai De Bourbon all possibles for the Closutton handler.

Elliott has confirmed both Martin Pipe scorer Better Days Ahead and last year’s Albert Bartlett winner Stellar Story, with Henry de Bromhead’s Gorgeous Tom strengthening the Irish hand.

However, both of the remaining British-trained entrants, Rebecca Curtis’ Haiti Couleurs and Joe Tizzard’s The Changing Man, look to have handicap assignments on day one in mind.

The Mullins battalion again dominates the 25 remaining in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper, with market leaders Gameofinches and Copacabana both standing their ground, but French import Kopeck De Mee is a notable name missing from the Coral Cup.

There are 26 left in the Grand Annual, including the Skelton-trained defending champion Unexpected Party, but Evan Williams’ Libberty Hunter and Joe Tizzard’s JPR One could both feature 40 minutes earlier in the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Gavin Cromwell’s Stumptown is among 24 still standing for the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase along with stablemate Vanillier, while the typically strong hand from Cullentra House could include last year’s Grand National fourth Galvin and Grade One winner Conflated from seven confirmed in Elliott’s name.