DAY 2 CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL PREVIEW

13:30 - Ballymore Novices Hurdle

ENVOI ALLEN (WIN)

14:10 - RSA Insurance Novices Chase

This race is usually run by potential gold cup contenders for the following season with two of the top 3 in this last year going for gold cup glory this time (Santini & Delta Work)

At the time of writing this only ten runners go and Champ is priced up as the favourite. Champ won his first two outings this season however last time out of Cheltenham he took a really bad fall which would have to worry you and what knock on effects it has when racing next time out. Champ is certainly worth taking on.

Allaho will have a good chance and is certainly a danger to rest of the field. Tizzards two horses Cooperhead who has progressed with every race this season and has visually looked impressive with every race he has won. Slate House if Robbie Power can get the horse round is certainly not without a chance each way however at times he has looked brilliant but other races this season he has looked such a difficult ride.

My selection though is MINELLA INDO landed the Albert Bartlett last year which a real tough staying race as it is. A course and distance winner under the horses belt but is also 4 wins in 5 over 3 miles this is a horse that relishes this long trip and will be right up there going up the Cheltenham hill.

MINELLA INDO (WIN)

14:50 - Coral Cup

BACHASSON (E/W)

BIRCHDALE (E/W)

BLACK TEARS (E/W)

ALFA MIX (E/W)

15:30 - Queen Mother Champion Chase

After hearing the news Altior has been declared a non runner we are down to 6 runners. for this Championship race. It seems like a match between the front two in the market Defi Du Seuil & Chacun Pour Soi the two horses with the best form this season. although Chacun won well last time out he has never ridden at Cheltenham and there is a possibility will it suit him will he get up the hill? To many question to answer in my opinion

Nicholls is double handed here with Dyanmite Dollars who out of that race at Newbury with Altior came out with lot of credit first time out and coming back from a long lay off, Politilogue usually runs his race and if you can put 3 places somewhere would be worth each way shot

DEFI DU SEUIL though is my pick for this race. Has been impressive since last season beating Lost In Translation here last year and this season hasn't put a foot wrong really impressive in the tingle creek and following that up in Ascot. Has course form as well and conditions will suit. Not a race to get really serious into or will make you rich as the price will shorten the closer to the race. But Defi Du Seuil is the one for me.

DEFI DU SEUIL (WIN)

16:10 - Cross Country Chase

TIGER ROLL (WIN)

16:50 - Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Fred Winter)

This is a really tricky race to be mega confident on a selection all 4 years olds and certainly will all have improvement in them in time. Mick Pastor ran well at Ludlow but comes here with a big weight you would expect to be in the mix for Paul Nicholls. I could roll of a long list of other each way chances. However my Selection would be PALLADIUM For Nicky Henderson was impressive at Sandown last time out on ground that wouldn't of favoured the horse. Drier Ground would help this horse and im sure there is more improvement in this horse. for an each way play i wouldn't be surprised if Fraser Island Henderson 2nd horse in this race was to be in the Mix as well he does tick a lot of boxes in the trends for these races so would have a chance. Its a real hard race to get stuck into but for a bit of value perhaps look at the bigger prices as favourites dont usually win this over the years.

PALLADIUM (E/W)

17:30 - Champion Bumper

One of my favourite races on the Wednesday lots of potential stars of the future and it seems to get stronger every year. Envoi Allen winning this last year and the horses below him last year have gone on to win races this season.

Ireland have had the running of this in the last three years and they dominate the market as i write this with Appreciate It looking impressive last time out, Queens Brook is a bit of a market mover with Jamie Codd on, is bound to be backed on the day. Ferny Hollow has improved with each run and could improve more. Israel champ has course form here and backed it up winning at Ascot last time out. David Pipe had Moon Racer in 2015 and does tend do have a good record with bumper horses.

However my choice would be PANIC ATTACK the horse has a massive weight pull compared to others in this race and i cant get away from that. It could really help the horse. 4 year olds can win this race (Cue Card being one)

Eyebrows were raised when Mullins took the horse over to Market Rasen for a listed bumper but was visually impressive on ground that Panic Attack probably would not of enjoyed but pulled away very clear. Now sold to David Pipe i think this year could be the year Britain win this race.

For an each way shout i really like Ask A Honey Bee has won 3 bumper races and it takes a good horse to do that when they get hacked up in the (33/1 At the moment)

PANIC ATTACK (WIN)

ASK A HONEY BEE (E/W)