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After a dramatic, emotional opening day of the Cheltenham Festival, attention now turns to day two on which another Nicky Henderson star, Jonbon, will take centre stage in the Queen Mother Champions Chase.
The superstar chaser has only been defeat three times in 20 starts under rules and arrives at Cheltenham in the midst of a superb season, that has seen him sweep up two Grade 1 wins already.
He looks a tough nut to crack but as ever there is danger lurking at every corner. Marine Nationale and Energumene are both former festival winners, while last year’s Champion Chase winner, Captain Guinness, returns to take his chance.
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Cheltenham Festival day 2 tips
1.20: Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
Marcus Armytage: Challow Hurdle winners have a poor record at Cheltenham but there’s never been an easier winner of it than The New Lion and this horse can change that.
Charlie Brooks: Final Demand. The fact that he was entered by Willie Mullins in the Supreme and the Albert Bartlett tells you he has an abundance of speed and stamina.
Marlborough: Final Demand has looked right out of the top drawer on both of his starts over hurdles; he looks destined for the very top.
2.00: Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
Marcus Armytage: Ballyburn was last year’s two and a half mile novice hurdle winner and looks ready made for this step up in trip.
Charlie Brooks: Ballyburn. His defeat by Sir Gino was no disgrace and he looked back in his comfort zone over a longer trip at Leopardstown. This is the right race for him.
Marlborough: Ballyburn can thrive up to 3 miles for the first time; he has barely put a foot wrong all his life and looks one of the bankers of the week.
2.40: Coral Cup (Grade 3)
Marcus Armytage: Impose Toi is an the radar Henderson runner who was once too keen to handle this trip, now wants it.
Charlie Brooks: Bunting. Paul Townend wasn’t overly hard on him over half a mile shorter than this in his prep race at Clonmel, where he was a good second.
Marlborough: Typically competitive heat and a flyer is taken on Beat The Bat, who had his supporters last time and can appreciate the step back up in trip for his respected trainer.
3.20: Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase (Listed)
Marcus Armytage: Escaria Ten seemed rejuvenated by his first crack at cross-country when a close fourth to Stumptown and should, at least, outrun his odds of 50-1.
Charlie Brooks: Mister Coffey. He has run some great races in defeat, but every dog has his day and this could be his.
Marlborough: Despite conceding weight to all, it is hard to look past Stumptown, who was a ready winner over today’s course and distance in December and can make his presence felt again.
4.00: Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1)
Marcus Armytage: Jonbon is the preeminent two mile chaser, don’t listen to the popular argument that he does not like Cheltenham.
Charlie Brooks: Energumene. I don’t think he likes Ascot much, and so has a chance of turning things around with the favourite on a track he much prefers.
Marlborough: An interesting renewal of the Champion Chase, with cases made for a few here. Jonbon has a pretty impeccable record in his career to date and, while he may save his very best for other tracks, he is sure to take an awful lot of beating in this race, with the front-running Solness fancied to be the one to give the selection the most to think about.
4.40: Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
Marcus Armytage: A faller at the second last a year ago, The King Of Prs beginning to put together a good profile for this race now.
Charlie Brooks: Conyers Hill. This is a good race for a novice, as they aren’t totally exposed, and I liked the way he battled and showed a turn of foot last time out at Down Royal.
Marlborough: Unexpected Party looks to have very much been brought along with this race in mind again this season and looks sure to play his part once more.
5.20: Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Grade 1)
Marcus Armytage: Bambino Fever was a wide–margin winner of two bumpers and point-to-point and Paul Townend’s going let his sister win one isn’t he?
Charlie Brooks: Copacabana. I suspect Patrick had first choice of Willie Mullins’; that’s good enough for me.
Marlborough: In another race where Willie Mullins holds a good hand, Aqua Force may surprise a few, much like she did on her sparkling debut last month for her previous connections
Cheltenham Festival day 2 ground and weather
After a dry day on Tuesday, the ground is good to soft on Wednesday but there is a touch more inclement weather forecast. Temperatures dropped close to freezing overnight and local resident awoke to a blanket of snow over Cheltenham.
Afternoon temperatures will get up to around 7C with a few spots of rain also forecast. It will be important to monitor what the weather does to the ground throughout the afternoon when it comes to betting purposes.
Betting on Cheltenham?
There’s a lot of competition between bookmakers for customers during the festival and they will often run their best promotions of the year, especially earlier in the week. Take a look at these Cheltenham betting offers to find free bets to use throughout the week.
How to watch Cheltenham Festival day 2
ITV will show the first six races of the day on ITV1 on free-to-air television and via its streaming platform ITVX. For full coverage of all seven races, you need a Racing TV subscription.
Betting on the Cheltenham Festival? Find our best Cheltenham free bets and Cheltenham betting offers to take advantage of between March 11 and March 14, 2025.