AUTHOR: Star Sports Content
STAR RACING PREVIEW: Cheltenham Festival Wednesday
After a quite incredible first day of drama – much of it not in my favour – it’s time for Day 2, writes WILLIAM KEDJANYI.
There’s a ton of great content we have to offer – take a look at our best features below – and then analysis of all seven races. Be lucky and enjoy it!
⭐ CLICK HERE FOR DAVY RUSSELL’S FEATURE RACE PREVIEWS ⭐
⭐ CLICK HERE FOR PDF STATS GUIDE WITH HARRY SKELTON AND DAVY RUSSELL ⭐
⭐ CLICK HERE FOR HARRY SKELTON’S STABLE TOUR ⭐
⭐ CLICK HERE FOR HARRY SKELTON: SIX HORSES THAT MADE ME ⭐
1:20 – Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (Registered As The Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) 2m5f
A belting contest with three impressive Grade 1 winners going head to head. The New Lion gets the vote, thanks to the tactical speed he’s shown so far in three hurdling wins, including an incredible victory in the Challow Hurdle when Harry Skelton won on the bridle yet still had four and a half lengths in hand. This is obviously a different ballgame but he looks tactically suited for the speed test that the Turners can often represent, and there’s no telling what could be lying under the bonnet for the Skeltons.
Final Demand was wildly impressive at the Dublin Racing Festival (2m6f, soft), making it three wins from three start in fine style, never better than after the last when he drew 12 lengths clear of Wingmen at Leopardstown. He’s got superstar potential, although may find this track slightly against him. He’s got tactical speed but is a 3 mile point to point winner already and hit the line hard at Leopardstown.
The Yellow Clay jumped, travelled, and stayed best when dominating the Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle (Wingmen 11 length second) in extremely testing ground at Naas. On that occasion stamina had come into play as well – he’d been forced to scramble home in the Navan Novice Hurdle when Fleur In The Park quickened down the straight at Navan the time before – and a strong gallop would strongly enhance his chances. However, he is fast improving and along with Final Demand, could seek to make this a test from some way out.
Formby Novice Hurdle winner Potters Charm had been flawless under rules until he was no match for Sixmilebridge here in the Classic Hurdle here on trials day. It’s very likely he wasn’t at his best that day, and the waters have been muddied still by Sixmilebridge’s disqualification post-race. Both could be overpriced here if you can trust their formlines.
Willie Mullins has all but one of the other contenders here and his team are always of interest. Kel Histoire was unlucky not to be a clearer second in the Moscow Flyer at Punchestown when being hampered in the run up to the last, looking as if he’d relish extra ground. He could improve a good deal still for just his fourth start and wouldn’t be short of toe in a dash, making him the most interesting of Willie Mullins’ other contenders.
Kiss Will was very impressive on his Irish debut at Fairyhouse and could be anything, whilst Kaid d’Authie is on a bounce back mission after not putting his best foot forward when he barely raised a leg at the DRF. He’s better than that, but how much better
On a line through Sky Lord, Kappa Jy Pyke has a lot to do here – and it’s not a certain he would have won at Punchestown if his rival hadn’t fallen – and Supasundae couldn’t answer the Yellow Clay at Naas and was poor at the Dublin Racing Festival. Forty Coats needs to find a ton of improvement.
2:00 – Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (Registered As The Broadway Novices’ Chase) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) 3m½f (3m110y)
No British runners – The Jukebox Man would have had a big chance but for his injury, but an upto scratch renewal at least on face value. The market revolves around Ballyburn, last year’s wide margin Turners Novice’ Hurdle winner who showed plenty of guts and stamina to take the Ladbrokes Novice Chase at the Dublin Racing Festival, pulling right away as he came to the line. He ought to relish a step up in trip – something which will hopefully help his jumping, although it’s improved steadily as a chaser – and on that form he’s going to take a lot of beating. However, he has collapsed in price from 7/4 two weeks ago to 8/13 now, and he has to be swerved at that price.
Stablemate Dancing City – third in the Albert Bartlett last season over hurdles before back to back wins at the Aintree and Punchestown Festivals – looks tailor made for this test and impressed (albeit on favourable terms) when winning a Grade 1 at Naas on heavy ground last time out, having a ton in hand of the useful mare Bioluminescence.
He had the better of Better Days Ahead and Stellar Story at Punchestown last season over hurdles and is fancied to confirm that form here, having shaped at least as well as a chaser so far. The softening ground will play to his strengths and a small each/way bet at 7/1 should provide plenty of interest.
Better Days Ahead just got the better of Stellar Story in a Grade 2 at Navan, where Stellar Story had to give 5lbs to Better Days Ahead. That form could be reversed here – Stellar Story was closing rapidly upto the line and has a 5lbs pull.
Gorgeous Tom made hay early in the season but shouldn’t be forgotten – he was eating up the ground in the Drinmore (fourth, 2m4f Fairyhouse, yielding) when a close fourth, and as a runner up to Shanagh Bob in a point to point, he will surely improve for going back in trip.
Lecky Watson was a very fair novice hurdler (fifth behind Stellar Story in last year’s Albert Bartlett, then fifth behind Dancing City at Punchestown), who has improved as a chaser, outjumping Slade Steel on his debut (2m4f at Naas) and then not jumping well out of dead ground when winning a Grade 3 at Punchestown. He will improve for the step up in trip and shouldn’t be underestimated.
Quai De Bourbon was third in the Martin Pipe last season but doesn’t appear to have progressed quite as quickly as Better Days Ahead based on his chasing performances.
2:40 – Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) 2m5f
The first horse to come to mind is Impose Toi, who lost out on the Betfair Exchange Trophy (formerly known as the Ladbroke) due to a mistake at the last in December 2023, before finishing third in the Lanzarote when hurdling was again a problem. He overcame that to land a decent handicap hurdle at Newbury in November and has been left off the track since, presumably to aim at this prize, and a mark of 141 looks fair enough considering the strength of his handicap from last season (Luccia, who beat him at Ascot, was since third in Champion Hurdle and then fourth in Aintree Hurdle, and Grade 2 winner Nemean Lion second in Lanzarote). All being equal, he should be bang there.
The obvious threat is Be Aware, a fine second in the Greatwood behind Burdett Road before finishing third in the Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle at Christmas. On that occasion (would have finished fourth if not for fall of Secret Squirrel at last) he was outpaced by the front two, but it’s possible he wasn’t quite at his best then and on just his second start at this trip (seventh overall) he brings a lot of potential to the table for the Skeltons. However, he’s been well found at 7/2.
3:20 – Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase (A Limited Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 2) (5yo+) 3m5½f (3m5f56y)
The powers that be have changed this back to a handicap this year, and they’ve been rewarded with an uber competitive race that retains a touch of class.
Galvin was second to Delta Work in this two years ago (pair clear; was a non-handicap at the time), has since finished fourth in last year’s Grand National, and has presumably had this as the aim since he finished second in the American Grand National. As proficient as any horse over this course, there are no worries about him off 154 or carrying 11-7.
Stumptown beat Mister Coffey with any amount in hand here in December, although he has been hit with an 8lbs rise for it. Cheekpieces are an interesting addition though and few ought to travel better, so he is absolutely the main threat. Each/way players should look at Mister Coffey, who is uber consistent even if unable to get his head in front, Vaniller, back to form over the naks last time, and Iwilldoit, a dour stayer wo makes his XC debut today but has plenty of back class – albeit he wouldn’t want them to sprint up the hill.
Latenightpass could take a hand too – he travels brilliantly around this course, was third behind Stumptown and Mister Coffey here (soft) in December and should be nearing his peak now. Busselton (has refitted blinkers) is popular in the market and is well handicapped, although e’s no win over jumps since the Kerry National of 2022.
4:00 – BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) 2m (1m7f199y)
Yesterday’s Champion Hurdle proved that anything can and will happen over jumps, but the claims of Jonbon are very hard to oppose. Unbeaten since an unfortunate defeat in the Clarence House (January 2024, made major error), he has won the Melling, Celebration, Sholer, Tingle Creek and Clarence House Chases, beating most of his rivals here in style.
Some worry about his Cheltenham record but of his two festival defeats one was to Constitution Hill in the 2022 Supreme and the other in the Arkle to El Fabiolo, whom he has improved past since, and he’s a dual winner of the Shloer Chase. 4/5 with Star Sports is the right price for those getting involved.
He dominates the betting but there are two places to aim at here and Solness could be too big at 9/1. The only realistic form argument for him here comes from back-to-back Grade 1 wins at Leopardstown, when JJ Slevin and then Danny Mullins took the bull by the horns, with aggressive front running rides. JJ Slevin caught his rivals napping on the first occasion, but there’s no doubting how impressive he was next time – nor the speed he showed to get to half way more than 20 lengths under par.
Arguably Marine Nationale was given too much to do there – and he will surely take closer order this time around – but it would be unwise to underestimate Solness’ effort nor his improvement and the gap in the betting between the two looks too big. Snow this morning will help Energuemene’s chances, although he would want plenty more cut possibly and is now 11.
Found A Fifty beat Solness giving him 7lbs at Navan in November but was pulled up in his one start since; he’s well overpriced if he returns back to that form but no excuse was found at the time – watch the market for him. Libberty Hunter will enjoy cut in the ground and a fast pace, but he may be wanting a pace meltdown if he’s to threaten a shock win here – and there’s less on here than there was before Il Etait Temps went to the Ryanair.
Captain Guinness won last year but hasn’t done anything since and Quilixios is a solid horse but one held by the market leaders.
4:40 – Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+)
2m (1m7f199y)
Any amount of contenders here but they will all do well to take this from Unexpected Party, who beat the Graded performer Libberty Hunter in this last year off a 6lbs higher mark. He’s been aimed at this race since and has had an ideal campaign, with quiet efforts in two Graded races and an eye-catching second in a classy 2m handicap chase at the Windsor Millions meeting behind Matata. All is set for a huge run.
5:20 – Weatherbys Champion Bumper (A Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race) (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4-6yo)2m½f (2m87y)
Any amount of contenders in a race all about potential but on what we’ve seen so far they will all have to be smart to get the better of Bambino Fever, who picked uo and carried her rivals in the Luxembourg Bumper at the Dublin Racing Festival (mares only; started at 9/1, won by seven and a half lengths), The runner up won at Naas on Sunday whilst the third and fourth had won three bumpers between them, with fifth Future Prospect a nine length winner on debut. Her rating of 130 has her joint top with Kalypso’chance and there’s no worries about a battle as she’s a point winner and a winner over 2m2f, both on soft ground.
Copacabana (Patrick Mullins) and Gameofinches (Paul Townend) both impressed on their debuts but they have arguably achieved less than Kalypso’chance, who caught the eye visually and on the time figures when winning a listed bumper at Navan.
Aqua Force won a Gowran Bumper by an astonishing 28 lengths (runner up about 9 lengths behind Bambino Fever) for Miguel Gunn, and she’s since moved to Willie Mullins and been bought by JP McManus. She could be anything and was of interest with six each/way places for Star.
Others that made the shortlist were No Drama This End, Fortune De Mer, and Idaho Sun.
RECOMMENDED BETS
BACK The New Lion to win the 1.20 at Cheltenham 2pt at 5/2 (⭐
CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Dancing City to win the 2.00 at Cheltenham 1pt each/way at 7/1 (⭐
CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Impose Toi to win the 2.40 at Cheltenham 1pt win at 6/1 (⭐
CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Galvin to win the 3.20 at Cheltenham 1pt at 7/2 (⭐
CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Solness to win the 4.00 at Cheltenham 1 pt each/way at 10/1 (⭐
CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Unexpected Party to win the 4.40 at Cheltenham 1pt at 11/2 (⭐
CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Bambino Fever to win the 5.20 at Cheltenham 1pt at 9/2 (⭐
CLICK TO BET NOW)
PROFIT/LOSS (MAR 2024): -6.06 POINTS
STAR PROMOTIONS
Most Read
GWA GREYHOUND DERBY 2026 TIPPING CHAL...
The GWA Greyhound Derby Media...
GREYHOUND DERBY 2026: Semi-Final Draw...
Following the conclusion of the...
ALEX CROOK: Tales of the 2025/26 Prem...
Star Sports ambassador ALEX CROOK...
