Hi all,
Day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival. Here’s my quick look at the four Grade 1’s on the card.
Fortune Favours the Brave on Day 1
Still catching your breath after one of the most dramatic Champion Hurdles ever? It was extraordinary. You can relive all the drama here.
First, Constitution Hill fell four out when moving ominously well. Then, State Man looked set to defend his title, only to crash out at the last—Annie Power style. The cheekpieces had worked, he travelled powerfully and was running a career best. Indeed, much better than when the race 12 months ago.
That left Golden Ace to cruise home for an unlikely win. Fair play to connections for rolling the dice instead of taking the Mares’ Hurdle route. Fortune did indeed favour the brave.
The drama didn’t stop there. Jango Baie sprang a surprise in the Arkle, pouncing late as hot favourite Majborough made a costly mistake at the second last and another at the last. He rallied for third but would surely have won without the mistake. Jango Baie, a stayer dropped to 2m, got outpaced early but powered home late. I mentioned in yesterday’s column he was a viable alternative to the favourite, and he proved it.
Elsewhere, Lossiemouth landed the Mares’ Hurdle and Kopek Des Bordes overcame a last-flight mistake to win the Supreme.
Puturhandstogether was simply too well handicapped for his rivals in the Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle. A third win in the race for Joseph O’Brien and a nice winner for yours truly.
Earlier, Lucinda Russell landed her third Ultima Handicap Chase as Myretown, given a fine ride by Patrick Wadge, made all for a comfortable success.
It was a wild Day 1, but now onto Day 2!
Day 2 – Four Grade 1s
The Turners Novices' Hurdle (1:20) kicks things off, featuring a fascinating clash between The New Lion, Final Demand, and The Yellow Clay.
Ballyburn dominates the Brown Advisory (2:00), while Jonbon is odds-on for the Champion Chase (4:00). The Cross Country Chase (3:20) is now a handicap, and the day ends with the Champion Bumper (5:20).
1:20 – Turners Novices' Hurdle
The New Lion looked dominant in the Challow Hurdle, but no winner of that race has followed up here in 21 years. He has the speed and stamina to change that.
Final Demand is unbeaten over hurdles and took the Nathaniel Lacy (2m6f) impressively last time. A future three-mile chase, he’s a different type to The New Lion, adding intrigue.
The Yellow Clay (4-4 over hurdles) showed his class in the Grade 1 Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle. Tough, reliable, and jumps well—he shouldn’t be underestimated.
2:00 – Brown Advisory Novices' Chase
Ballyburn is the clear favourite after his Grade 1 win at Leopardstown (2m5f). The step up to 3m should suit, but he isn’t bombproof.
Dancing City, his unbeaten stablemate over fences, jumps well and stays all day. Lacks Ballyburn’s class but could expose any chinks.
Steller Story stays strongly, while Gorgeous Tom shaped well when fourth in the Drinmore. His staying pedigree and the drying ground could bring improvement.
4:00 – BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase
Jonbon has never had a better chance to land his first Champion Chase. His best form is away from Cheltenham, but he has won here, and this isn’t a deep renewal.
Solness is thriving, winning back-to-back Grade 1s at Leopardstown. He likes to dominate, and his rivals can’t afford to let him dictate.
Marine Nationale was second to Solness last time. Back at the scene of his Supreme win (2023), he’s improving with every run and could reverse the form.
Energumene, a dual Champion Chase winner, retains ability but was outpaced by Jonbon on good ground at Ascot. At 11 years old, unless it’s soft, he’s vulnerable.
5:20 – Champion Bumper
Willie Mullins dominates the betting again with Copacabana and Gameofinches. Both are unbeaten and highly regarded.
Bambino Fever, a Grade 2 Mares’ Bumper winner, saw her form boosted at Naas on Sunday. Better value than Mullins’ top pair.
Aqua Force, a 28-length Gowran Park winner, now runs in J.P. McManus’ colours. A wildcard, but I prefer Bambino Fever.
Kalypso’chance, impressive in a Listed bumper at Navan last time, should thrive in a strongly run race.
Tomorrow, I’ll cover the Day 3 Graded races.
Good luck with your Cheltenham bets!
John