Live Cheltenham Festival Blog: Day Two Recap
Matt Brocklebank was on course for Ladies' Day at Cheltenham, where Special Tiara, Might Bite and Gordon Elliott shone - recap the day-two blog right here.
Halfway point
That wraps up day two at the Festival, where Special Tiara proved that try, try and trying again can occasionally pay off after Henry De Bromhead's star won the feature Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Douvan's eclipse was a shock but the Gordon Elliott juggernaut rumbles on and surely only Nicky Henderson can stop him becoming top trainer this week after Henderson notched his third winner of the week with Might Bite in extraordinary circumstances in the RSA Chase.
Thanks to everyone who's contributed to the blog so far and it's at this point that I'll be handing over to the master of blog, Will Hayler, to guide you through the final couple of days.
You can contact him at racingfeedback@sportinglife.com so get your thoughts and questions to him ready for the morning (late morning).
Elliott giving bookies a mare
Fayonagh, a 20-length winner of a Listed bumper at Fairyhouse on her first start for Elliott, becomes the first mare to win this event since Total Enjoyment in 2004. She's now the third mare to win the race, with Mucklemeg taking top spot for Charlie Swann in just the third running of the race (1994).
Codd makes a splash in Bumper
It's that man again. A second winner on the day for Gordon Elliott on the day and a fifth for the week. Jamie Codd also completes a famous double after his win on Elliott's Cause Of Causes in the Cross Country.
Fayonagh wins the Champion Bumper!
5.30 Cheltenham result
1st Fayonagh (7/1)
2nd Debuchet
3rd Claimantakinforgan
Click here for full result & free video replay
At the post for the Champion Bumper...
The taps are ready
Tweet from Cheltenham Racecourse: "We will water the New course tonight ahead of racing tomorrow to maintain current conditions - good, good to soft in places. #TheFestival"
That announcement has looked on the cards since this morning and the sunny weather throughout the day had made their minds up.
It's likely to come as a bit of a blow for the likes of Warren Greatrex, who was hoping for rattling fast ground for his Cole Harden in the Sunbets Stayers' Hurdle.
It's obviously good news for Willie Mullins ahead of Un De Sceaux's Ryanair Chase bid, but you can only see his price drifting further after today's results.
Choices, choices
Nick Williams also saddled the fifth home in the Fred Winter, Diable De Sivola, ridden by Lizzie Kelly who was given the choice of the pair.
He said: "I thought they both had good chances and it was very hard for Lizzie to make a choice. I left it totally up to her and her horse came with a chance at the last, but just flattened out.
"Flying Tiger is a more speedy type and it's great to get my first Festival winner.
"It's been a long time coming, we've had some near misses, but I had a feeling it could be with a juvenile as we can do quite well with them."
Bookies out to get Carter
Meanwhile, Willie Mullins and Paul Nicholls still await their first winner of the week and the former's Carter McKay is proving very weak in the betting ahead of the Champion Bumper which comes up next at 5.30.
Percy Street ran a decent race in the Fred Winter to finish sixth, but that isn't going to pay for the petrol is it?
Maybe Bakmaj is the one in the lucky last. Could Alan Fleming and Denis O'Regan have two in a week at Cheltlenham? I'm willing to take the 12/1 to find out.
A day of firsts
Nick Williams joins Ben Pauling in opening his Cheltenham Festival account as Flying Tiger causes an upset in the Fred Winter. What a day for the trainer. He's come close on many occasions and few could forget Maljimar being collared in the dying strides by an AP McCoy-inspired Wichita Lineman here in 2009.
It's also a massive success for Richard Johnson, who amazingly hadn't been in the winner's enclosure at the Festival for three years.
Flying Tiger wins the Fred Winter!
4.50 Cheltenham result
1st Flying Tiger (33/1)
2nd Divin Bere
3rd Nietzsche
4th Project Bluebook
Click here for full result & free video replay
Winter warmer
I've found the Fred Winter winner... a Flat-bred, 98-rated Flat performer going handicap hurdling from a mark of 124. That's not a typo, it's 124. He's also trained by Nicky Henderson and ridden by Nico De Boinville. The icing on the cake? He's 20/1.
Elliott works wonders
Another brilliant training performance from Gordon Elliott, not only preparing the remarkable Cause Of Causes to victory in a different race at three straight Festivals, but also a one-two with the often quirky Bless The Wings running a blinder under Davy Russell in second.
That's the National Hunt Chase, Kim Muir and Cross Country Chase on the CV. He also finished second to Spring Heeled in the 2014 Kim Muir and seventh in Champagne Fever's Supreme. It's a real love-affair with the place.
"He's a star, he always comes good at this time of the year. We got him ready for this over the last few weeks and to be honest all we've been thinking for this horse all season is March. Jamie gave him a brilliant ride again."
Cause Of Causes wins the Cross Country!
4.10 Cheltenham result
1st Cause Of Causes (4/1)
2nd Bless The Wings
3rd Cantlow
Click here for full result & free video replay
Out in the Country
"This is his Gold Cup." Gordon Elliott is keen on the chances of Cause Of Causes, who is already a dual Festival winner.
Enda Bolger's Cantlow is the 9/4 favourite for the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase, while Sausalito Sunrise at 8/1 is one of the good old boys I expect to go well if he takes to the unique track.
First Lieutenant is 100/1 on the exchanges - he has to be worth a nibble too...
Problem solving
Willie Mullins has reflected on Douvan's Champion flop and expects there will be a physical issue uncovered.
The trainer said: "He was clearly never going and I thought at the top of the hill he'd do very well to win. I'm assuming something happened when he put in those huge jumps, which I've never seen him do before.
"I imagine I'll find a physical problem with him.
"Ruby (Walsh) said he didn't jump like he normally does and when I saw him jump the first couple of fences, I knew he couldn't get away with it in a Champion Chase.
"I'd been hoping he's my best ever and it's my job to try and get him back if I can. Ruby said he didn't feel like he was moving well behind and I imagine we'll find a problem."
Walsh update
Quick update on Mark Walsh, who was stood down earlier following a fall from Consul De Thaix. He's been taken to Gloucestershire Hospital with suspected concussion.
Special occasion
It was Special Tiara's fourth attempt in the Queen Mother, finishing third the last twice, and winning trainer Henry de Bromhead said: "It's an amazing day, I'm just so pleased for everyone involved. He seemed in great form coming into it, but it was hard to believe (could win) with Douvan and everything else - Douvan had looked so good.
"For our lad, he just tries his heart out and no-one deserves it more. I thought he jumped the slickest he's ever jumped. Often he jumps a bit high. Incredible.
"Any day you win a Grade One at Cheltenham is just an amazing day."
Douvan disappoints
Taking nothing away from the winner but the major story here in the Queen Mother Champion Chase is that Douvan was well beaten. He didn't look happy from a long way out, diving at his fences on several occasions, and the writing was on the wall when he made a mess of the third last.
Full credit to Special Tiara, who was given a fantastic front-running ride by Noel Fehily, who completes a Champion Hurdle/Champion Chase double in a magical week for the jockey.
Warm applause for the winner in front of the stands but there's a real sense of surprise about the place and you can't help but wondering whether everything is okay in the Willie Mullins yard.
Special Tiara wins the Queen Mother Champion Chase!
3.30 Cheltenham result
1st Special Tiara (11/1)
2nd Fox Norton
3rd Sir Valentino
Click here for full result & free video replay
A fitting breakthrough?
Still no winner for Willie Mullins or Ruby Walsh, but Douvan will put that right, won't he? I fully expect Special Tiara to give him something to think about. Best of luck ahead of the feature.
Antepost alterations
Sky Bet put Might Bite in at 10/1 for next year's Cheltenham Gold Cup following the RSA, while he is 6/1 from 16/1 for the King George at Kempton.
The King is parading
We're just 10 minutes from the feature Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase and the place has just come alive again as people bustle for position at the paddock to catch a glimpse of the superstar Douvan.
He's 2/9 across the board now so basically unbackable for the majority of people but we could be in for something special here from the hugely talented seven-year-old.
It looks like Simply Ned has got a little bit edgy in the preliminaries but it's nothing too serious, while Special Tiara looks nicely relaxed.
Successful switch
Jessica Harrington has reflected on winning the Coral Cup with Supasundae, who she has worked wonders with since getting him at the start of the current campaign.
Harrington said: "I only inherited him this year from Henry de Bromhead so it's absolutely fantastic.
"Good ground was the real making of him. We knew he'd improve a real lot on that ground."
Winning jockey Robbie Power said: "He's galloped all the way to the line. He was a very, very good bumper horse and beat Yanworth in the (Aintree) Bumper."
Sundae best
As is often the case in so many of these big-field handicaps, it paid to be fairly handy and that's exactly where Supasundae was, sitting in the perfect pocket behind the first four or five as the well-backed Tombstone and Tin Soldier were waited with right near the back. Taquin Du Seuil has run another almighty race in second but he too had to come from a long way back and just had too much to do.
It really is Supreme form
A winner for Jessica Harrington and Robbie Power and yet another boost for last season's Sky Bet Supreme form. That's Altior, Buveur D'Air and now Supasundae to have already won this week and clearly Charbel, Petit Mouchoir and Bellshill have run well too. Your favourite for Friday's Randox Health County Hurdle? Last year's Supreme ninth North Hill Harvey.
Supasundae wins the Coral Cup!
2.50 Cheltenham result
1st Supasundae (16/1)
2nd Taquin Du Seuil
3rd Who Dares Wins
4th Monksland
5th Scoir Mear
Click here for full result & free video replay
Irish to hit back?
They're going to post for the Coral Cup and the support for Gordon Elliott's Tombstone shows no sign of letting up. He's a red-hot 7/2 chance with fellow Irish raiders Tin Soldier and Peregrine Run others extremely popular. Taquin Du Seuil and Hargam are next in the market with the Dan Skelton-trained Mister Miyagi one who seems to be shortening at bigger prices.
Extra Place from Sky Bet
Can't quite decide who to back in the upcoming Coral Cup? Don't forget Sky Bet are offering an extra place on the race so will be paying out on the first six home.
Click here to bet on the Coral Cup with Sky Bet
The tricky last
Darly Jacob didn't directly come under fire after falling from Might Bite at the final fence at Kempton on Boxing Day, but there were some rumblings from certain quarters and that last comment from Henderson is likely to feel like a satisfying moment of closure for Jacob. The horse clearly has a bit of a mental block when it comes to approaching the last and now Nico De Boinville is fully aware of it, as well as Jacob.
Henderson sound bite
Nicky Henderson in wonderful form after watching the RSA Chase, in which he saddled the first two.
He said: "This place has some extraordinary tricks and it was extraordinary that he got back up.
"I was thinking to be fair a dead heat might have been the best result but really it probably wouldn't have been as Might Bite was the best horse.
"Even going to the last he was looking up here and looking everywhere and it makes you wonder what he was looking at at the last at Kempton when he fell."
Shades of Sprinter
Well we saw Sprinter Sacre parade before racing and there was a hint of the old boy about Might Bite there, Nico De Boinville just cruising away at the head of affairs. He looked to be flying along, closely followed by Acapella Bourgeous and Alpha Des Obeaux, and it says it all that those two weakened right out of it. What a huge engine Might Bite must have to maintain such a relentless gallop and then find more after allowing himself the time for a quick cup of tea on the run to the line.
A race for the ages
Close finishes are rapidly becoming a theme of the day and it doesn't get closer than this. And an extraordinary race in general, with Nico De Boinville pouring it on from an early stage. He held a 15-length lead at the last fence, only to wander and almost pull himself up before rallying to get back up and beat stablemate Whisper by a nose.
Was he distracted by the huge crowd? Was he just exhausted? It's impossible to tell but Might Bite has won the RSA Chase.
A Henderson one-two and one of the most dramatic races the Festival will have witnessed.
Might Bite wins the RSA Chase!
2.10 Cheltenham result
1st Might Bite (7/2 fav)
2nd Whisper
3rd Bellshill
Click here for full result & free video replay
PHOTO FINISH - MIGHT BITE/WHISPER!
Daly bulletin
Lydia Hislop has been speaking to Briery Belle's trainer Henry Daly ahead of the next race and he said: "We get a mares' allowance and she likes good ground. She was a little bit disappointing here last time but has some good course form. We'll give it a go and hope she runs into a place."
Bells to strike for Ruby?
Still nothing for Ruby Walsh or Willie Mullins but punters are not perturbed and have smashed Bellshill into 6/1 now from around double that at the start of the day. Whisper is the other one for strong support ahead of the RSA Chase, with Whisper's stable companion Might Bite proving quite easy to back along with Alpha Des Obeaux.
Walsh stood down
Not such a happy day for Mark Walsh, who unfortunately has been stood down by the course doctors after being kicked by Consul De Thaix, who sadly had to be put down. The jockey hasn't had much joy at all having been beaten on Yanworth in yesterday's Champion Hurdle and also come down on Jer's Girl in the Mares' Hurdle. Walsh was due to ride Hargam and Cantlow later on today's card.
What a difference a day makes
David Bass suffered a miserable moment when Charbel fell when looking like giving Altior a race in yesterday's Arkle but he's bounced back in great style with a brilliant ride on Willoughby Court.
The horse responded to every call and Bass said: "Yesterday was a massive disappointment with Charbel but it really went to plan today.
"It's great for Ben and great for the horse. I was worried that stamina might not come into play which was why I rode him so positively. When Noel got to me I knew it would be a close run thing but I think we outstayed him in the end.
"I think this horse has got a big future over fences."
Breakthrough success
After watching former boss Nicky Henderson win his sixth Champion Hurdle yesterday, Ben Pauling gets off the mark as a Cheltenham Festival winning trainer. What a day for the man, who was an excellent speaker at the preview evening and talked frankly about this horses chances. It's also another significant winner for owners Paul & Clare Rooney, who have invested so much into racing and were enjoying Group One glory at Royal Ascot with My Dream Boat last summer.
It's all about that Bass
Another stunning start to the day as Willoughby Court and Neon Wolf serve up a thrilling finish, with the former just prevailing having made all of the running.
A British-trained 1-2-3 was completed by Messire Des Obeaux under Daryl Jacob, who was three and three-quarter lengths further back.
There was drama early on with Consul De Thaix coming down and hampering Bacardys (had to be pulled-up) but up front David Bass was pouring it on and the horse had just enough in hand to hold on by a head.
Both the winner and the second wandered around on the run-in but Neon Wolf held every chance having been on Willoughby Court's shoulder from three out.
Consul De Thaix is still being treated on the course but Mark Walsh has thankfully got to his feet after taking a bit of a kicking.
Willoughby Court wins the Neptune Novices’ Hurdle!
1.30 Cheltenham result
1st Willoughby Court (14/1)
2nd Neon Wolf
3rd Messire Des Obeaux
Click here for full result & free video replay
1328 Messire, or a very naughty boy?
We spoke to Daryl Jacob ahead of a potentially big day for the jockey and here's what he said about Messire Des Obeaux: "He’s come out of Huntingdon better than he did the Challow and is really bouncing. Alan King is positive about his chances and we can’t wait for the race.
"With 15 runners there looks like there will be a good pace on and the ground and trip are perfect for him.
"He hasn’t let me down all season. He gave weight to Ballyandy when he beat him at Sandown in December and he’s improved again since then.
"It’s a good race as you would expect, but I wouldn’t swap Messire Des Obeaux for anything."
Sky Bet’s First Race Special
Sky Bet are running their First Race Special throughout all four days of the Festival. Simply have any wager you like on the opening race each day and if your horse suffers defeat, you’ll get your stake back as a free bet. So whether or not you fancy Neon Wolf in today’s Neptune, you can have a bet in the race with a bit of insurance.
Click here to bet on the Neptune Novices’ Hurdle (1.30)
1322 Pauling power
Ben Pauling was on the panel at last week's preview evening at Doncaster and while accepting the Neptune was one of the hottest novice races of the week, he couldn't hide his love for Willoughby Court.
He was a really impressive winner at Warwick last time and I've just glimpsed him looking absolutely immaculate in the parade ring. I'd be amazed if he didn't go on to be one of the better chasers in this line-up further down the line but, like Neon Wolf, I'd be slightly concerned about the ground as his best form is on the soft stuff.
1315 Neon to light up day two?
We're fast approaching the first race of the day and here's what Harry Fry told us about 15/8 market leader Neon Wolf: "We've gone for the Neptune because with the drying ground we think the step up in trip will suit him better than the two miles.
"It was soft ground when he won over that trip at Haydock so we feel the extra distance on this ground will play to his strengths.
"We've been very happy with his run up to the race. He's had a couple of away-days."
1310 Super Sprinter on show
Nicky Henderson has been speaking to Cheltenham Radio after last year's Queen Mother herp Sprinter Sacre paraded in the paddock.
He said: "It's been a long journey and it's been a great one. Last year was just one of those days that you'll never forget. He knows. He's loved all the support people here have given him over the years. He did things that no other horses could do, he's not only as good a looking horse that you'll see but he's the ultimate racehorse as well.
"There were two wonderful years and he was unbeatable, that was quite easy. Then things went so badly wrong and there were two years of real pain. A lot of people said don't go on but we began to tinker and we felt he was coming back last season. Coming into the Festival last year and I dared to suggest Sprinter could beat Un De Sceaux and most people said 'soppy old Henderson'. It was an extraordinary day.
"He's still at Seven Barrows and he's still the star. He goes out for a walk and a pick of grass. He hasn't been ridden since retiring but we'll see in the autumn what the next step is to take with him in his life."
1302 Bumper whispers
The Champion Bumper is a pretty horrible race for form students as we've only seen a fraction of what these horses have to offer. So we're invariably left with just a load of rumours over what is and what isn't fancied. So here goes... Alan Fleming, who enjoyed victory in yesterday's finale with Tully East, likes Leopardstown winner Bakmaj, who chased home today's favourite Carter McKay on his debut, while Dan Skelton has been speaking very positively about Cause Toujours.
1238 Ladies' Day - A Special day?
I arrived this morning firmly of the view that the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase, the highlight of Ladies' Day, was merely a race to be enjoyed today but the more I look at it the more I'm tempted to back something to beat Douvan.
He's a perfect 13-13 for Willie Mullins but they all come undone at some stage and maybe a flat-out two miles on a drying ground might catch The King out. It's a massive 'might' but at the prices I couldn't put anyone off a small interest on God's Own or Special Tiara.
Simply Ned will be ridden to pick up the pieces and could be thereabouts but the others don't look good enough.
Special Tiara is all pace and will absolutely love the ground. I wonder if Noel Fehily gets the fractions right and keeps enough in the tank to inject a real burst of speed coming to three out then he could just take Douvan out of his comfort zone.
There's a big chance Douvan will simply devour the ground and provide Willie Mullins with his first Champion Chase, but on drying ground and with some canny tactics, Fehily might be the man to get him in trouble.
Andy writes... Morning Matt! A few big priced fancies for me today, I think it's going to be that kind of day. Taking a punt on Bless The Wings each way in the Cross Country. In the Fred Winter I've picked out Fadas at 25/1 and might have a wee nibble on Icario too...retire in the forecast. For the Bumper it's Irish Roe. Also, I have a bit of advice here for anyone planning to back Someday. Take the price early before the folk that pick depending on jockey colours come along. Poor Kate Harrington is going to be riding round Cheltenham looking like the BBC test screen from the 80's.
MB: Incredible silks the Howard Spooner silks, eh? If you squint a bit, maybe there's a 'magic eye' to be seen somewhere in the colours?
The Cross Country divides opinion and I fully understand those who like to use the time to browse the array of tweed jackets they have on offer here instead, but if this year's renewal doesn't capture your imagination then you'll never get it.
I nearly fell off my seat when I saw the name First Lieutenant had been declared. Is this really the same horse? Second in Bobs Worth's Hennessy? Winner of the Neptune here in 2011? It sure is.
You just want to take this horse by the scruff of the neck and say 'you're better than this, you really are. Come on First Lieutenant, you're better than this.'
Throw in Sausalito Sunrise, Colour Squadron and the amazing Any Currency - first past the post here last year before being stripped of the win because of a positive post-race sample - and you've got a race to savour.
It takes forever, and nobodys seems to know the course, but this is a race to cherish.
Sky Bet’s First Race Special
Sky Bet are running their First Race Special throughout all four days of the Festival. Simply have any wager you like on the opening race each day and if your horse suffers defeat, you���ll get your stake back as a free bet. So whether or not you fancy Neon Wolf in today’s Neptune, you can have a bet in the race with a bit of insurance.
Click here to bet on the Neptune Novices’ Hurdle (1.30)
1208 Graveyard for bookmakers
Tombstone isn't listed among the main markets movers but he's absolutely rock solid at the top of the betting for the Coral Cup.
Aidan Coleman rides Taquin Du Seuil for Jonjo O'Neill in the same race and he's hopeful of a massive run.
The jockey said: "Taquin loves Cheltenham, he won the BetVictor Gold Cup earlier in the season and ran a cracking race over hurdles at Chepstow as a prep run for that so I'd be hopeful.
"It's a 'stick a pin in it' job the Coral Cup, but he's got a great chance of being in the money.
"I know they were thinking about supplementing Tombstone and we saw with Un Temps Pour Tout yesterday the top of the handicap isn't such a bad place to be at Cheltenham these days."
Sky Bet Market Movers
1.30 - Shattered Love 9 from 12
2.10 - Belshill 8 from 9 and Royal Vacation 10 from 12
2.50 - Tin Soldier 17/2 from 9 and Hargam 14 from 18
3.30 - Gods Own 11 from 14
4.10 - Usual Smurfer 16 from 18
4.50 - Dino Velvet 16 from 25
5.30 - Carter McKay 9/2 from 5 and Bakmaj 12 from 16
Mark writes... Good morning Matt, what a first day, my best bet yesterday , Charbel without Alitor, it looks good for a long time... But okay, today we fight back, my best bet today is Divin Bere in the Fred Winter. I think he should be much shorter than 7/1 with his handicap mark. Whats your best bet ?
MB: Hi Mark. It seems you're not alone in fancying the top weight in the FW. He is clearly well handicapped from a mark of 139 having beaten subsequent winner Master Blueyes at Huntingdon and he's been kept fresh since. Further down the weights, Icario, Dino Velvet and Dodgybingo at a massive price are also on my radar.
As for a best bet, the drying ground is going to play to the strengths of Alpha Des Obeaux in the RSA and also possibly Brelade in the Neptune.
Jack Kennedy will be buzzing after winning yesterday's opener and Brelade has some rock solid form in Grade One company.
His two wins at the start of the season came on better ground and he's also crying out for this new trip.
In short, the best bet of the day would be for Gordon Elliott to have more winners!
1132 Wily Mouse
Royal Vacation features among Ben Linfoot's Value Bet selections for today and I can see the argument at double-figure prices, despite the Tizzard stable form.
Nicky Henderson obviously has a very strong hand with three in the race and if one horse is going to win doing handstands then it's likely to be Might Bite, but Alpha Des Obeaux has always looked a top novice chaser in the making and if you excuse him his last run when he burst a blood vessell then he's in with a massive chance.
His trainer Mouse Morris is also a genius at preparing staying chasers for the Festival and he's been giving off positive vibes about this horse this week.
1126 Concerns over Tizzard form?
Having enjoyed such an amazing time for most of the season, could things be going a little cold for the Colin Tizzard stable? It feels almost cruel to suggest it... his four runners yesterday were all big prices but two of them pulled up and one finished 10th of 14. Theatre Guide's eighth in the Ultima was the highlight and it doesn't end there.
Tizzard hasn't sent out a winner anywhere in the past fortnight, with a strike rate of 0-16 in total this month.
He'll be desperate to get something on the board before Friday and has five runners on today's card - Royal Vacation, an impressive handicap winner here on Trials Day, could be the pick of them in the RSA Chase at 2.10.
1120 Going for Gold
There are no great surprises among the final declarations for Friday's Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup, Cue Card and Native River featuring among 14 in the fina field.
We thought the Empire Of Dirt conundrum had been solved when declared for tomorrow's Ryanair Chase yesterday, but he's also been declared for Friday's feature today. Sounds complicated doesn't it. It could be, but he's very much expected to run tomorrow rather than in the big one.
1106 Groundsman's ground
Simon Claisse has not been tempted to water the Old Course, which they race on today, but hasn't completely ruled it out on the New Course ahead of Thursday and Friday's meetings.
He said: "There has been no rain since Sunday. We have had a dry night and another heavy dew and the forecast is for dry and warm weather with sunny spells today.
"I think the ground will be pretty similar to yesterday, maybe marginally quicker. This is groundsman's ground because it is perfect from a horse's point of view, really safe ground, but the horses haven't really made a mess of it because the grass is so strong."
James writes... Morning Matt. Well, I am not sure what happened to Moon Racer yesterday but I did have a little saver on Un Temps Pour Tout and Apple's Jade put me well ahead for the day. Back to the drawing board, with a bit more money in the pot on Day Two than anticipated, I fancy the Neon Wolf / Douvan double which at the moment is around 3/1. Do you see any other (realistic) alternatives which offer better value?
MB: Hi James, good luck with the short-priced double but I tend to run scared of such a wager at this meeting. Douvan is almost impossible to oppose but Will Hayler, who has joined me in the press room today, is determined to get him beaten and reckons Special Tiara could be the best alternative as he's got his ground and might try and nick it from the front.
In terms of Neon Wolf, he's just about the biggest talking horse of the week from a British perspective but I personally can't go near him at the prices. It's not far off Royal Ascot weather out there today and I'd just be too concerned about it drying out too much for the Wolf.
1100 Matter of time?
It's a few years since Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh went into day two having drawn a blank on Cheltenham Tuesday, but surely it won't be long before they get the ball rolling.
If they're still winless going into the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase then maybe even the ice-cool Ruby Walsh could be starting to feel a little pressure on red-hot favourite Douvan.
1050 Locked and reloaded
Ruby Walsh, who rode seven winners at last year's Festival and has been the champion jockey at the meeting 10 years in total, has kindly been speaking to Cheltenham Radio ahead of another busy for he and Willie Mullins.
Walsh said: "There's always going to be days like yesterday. It was Gordon's (Elliott) day, his horses were on fire. We reload the gun and go again.
"Bacardys probably has the strongest Irish form in the Neptune and Neon Wolf has the best British form. He'll be quite hard to beat I expect.
"Being a bumper winner we expect the step up in trip will suit Bacardys.
"I think Whisper could take a lot of beating in the RSA Chase. We probably ran Bellshill in the wrong race last year. He's in good form and we hope we've made the right decision.
"Douvan is clearly the best horse in the Champion Chase, it should be end to end and that will suit him.
"Tin Soldier's an improving horse but Willie runs five and you can make a case for them all. I'll need a bit of luck as the Coral Cup is one of the hardest, roughest races. I've never won it so will need a bit of luck."
1034 Tips for day two
Don't forget our tips centre is the place for all today's betting previews including our very own Ben Linfoot, Simon Holt and Lydia Hislop, who has added a couple of selections to supplement her antepost portfolio.
Follow the links for the full previews:
Ben Linfoot
Simon Holt
Lydia Hislop
Man On The Spot
Mike Cattermole
Donn McClean
Keith Hamer
Ian Ogg
If this wide range of previews is not enough for you, then our racecards contain horse-by-horse comments and race previews, which did particularly well yesterday.
1030 Mike writes... Hi Matt, I bet this is a first, emailing from Turkmenistan. Well, yesterday was a nightmare as most of my Cheltenhams are, but today we start again and I just have a hunch it's a punters day today. I can see 5 winning fav today so fingers crossed as on 4 of them. My big bet of the week in Might Bite ( got on at 12-1) goes today so here's hoping. Good luck to everyone.
MB: *consults google maps* Turkmenistan is indeed a first, thanks Mike. Great to see your contribution. I tend to agree with you that not looking too far from the top of the markets is going to pay off today, but Might Bite is not one I'll be rowing in with. He just very occasionally looks petrified of jumping fences, and in short that aint what you want for an RSA Chase.
1020 Yanworth out
Sorry, YANWORTH now joins The New One and Un Temps Pour Tout in not taking up his engagement in tomorrow's Grade One. He's understandably a non-runner.
1015 Yanworth still in...
Just the one non-runner here today which is CARRIG CATHAL (Self Certificate, Stiff) in the Coral Cup.
As for tomorrow, two of yesterday's runners have been taken out of the Sunbets Stayers' Hurdle and they are THE NEW ONE (Self Certificate, Lame) and UN TEMPS POUR TOUT (Self Certificate, Other).
Which means that Yanworth remains in the field for now...
0958 Stephen writes... Hi Matt, I have a real soft spot for the John Ferguson National Hunt Godolphin experiment and the subsequent Coolmore Joseph O'Brien experiment. Shows how tough national hunt racing is and that it takes more than a quick gallop to get round these obstacles. Bloomfields still have a few nice horses knocking around the National hunt game, how did you think High Bridge did in the Supreme and any chance Leoncavallo today as he does have some festival form?
MB: Thanks for getting in touch this morning Stephen, focusing on the biggest operations in the game is not a bad policy, as yesterday showed, and if you stick to where the money is then you'll be sure to see more success.
I suppose High Bridge ran to a similar level as he did in last year's Bumper and maybe it's just not his track. There will be other days for him but I suspect he's not going to be up to the top level and handicaps will be his bag next season.
As for Leoncavallo, I must warn you that Ben Pauling was far from hot on his chances at last week's preview night in Doncaster where he said the horse "was entitled to take his chance but will finish mid-div."
0945 The boat has not been missed
Too often at Cheltenham Festivals gone by I’m sure we’ve all been guilty of not latching onto the hot trainers or jockeys, having seen quite clearly with our own eyes on the first that they’re firing on all cylinders.
I’m determined not to make the same mistake today and while Gordon Elliott may have reacted to his Tuesday treble like all his dreams had now been realized, and that he’d be amazed if he had any more success, deep down you know he’s confident there are plenty more to come.
What was most telling with all three of his winners yesterday was that they were beaten in their ‘prep’ run.
Okay, Sky Bet Supreme scorer Labaik is a bit of an exception considering he’d all but refused to start when last seen, but Apple’s Jade was primed to the minute for this week after following home Limini at Punchestown and Tiger Roll, a good winner earlier in the season, was brought to the boil steadily for yesterday’s big target.
So onto today – does Tombstone’s victory over Jezki count against him? Of course it doesn’t, he’s clearly one of the best handicapped horses of the week and if you think the current 4/1 might be a bit skinny then be warned this horse could easily go off closer to the 5/2 mark in the Coral Cup.
Last year’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle form has worked out exceptionally well all season and Tombstone faces a couple of the horses he beat that day in Supasundae and Mister Myagi, but the fact he’s seemingly been gifted a mark of 149 by the British handicapper, Elliott’s runner is entitled to uphold his superiority over those two rivals on today’s terms.
Brelade, Cause Of Causes and Dakota Moirette all come into their respective races on the back of promising runs in defeat and help to give Elliott another very strong hand.
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0930 The mystery of Edwulf
Having left yesterday evening with Edwulf's condition very much in the balance after he broke down in front of the stands towards the end of the National Hunt Chase, I'm pleased to report that there was an encouraging tweet from Donnacha O'Brien last night stating that he was "back in the stable yard receiving fluids, not out of the woods yet but looking more positive."
What a remarkable job from the racecourse vets and everyone involved in treating the horse while the final race was run yesterday.
I'm now hearing he's "up and about this morning" but nobody is sure what on earth happened to him.
0920 The calm after the storm
There's something about the Wednesday at Cheltenham that just feels that bit calmer.
Now I'm not suggesting that people are suffering from last night's over-indulgence, but everyone's so fired up and full of positivity on the opening day that it's can't be anything but a touch quieter today.
As far as this morning's conditions are concerned, there's no change from the end of play yesterday so it remains 'good to soft, good in places', while it's 'good, good to soft in places' on the cross-country course.
The weather is also similar to yesterday, cloudy and chilly early on but steadily getting brighter by the minute.
0906 A generous second helping
Good morning and welcome back to Cheltenham for day two of the 2017 Festival, which features arguably the best National Hunt horse in training Douvan bidding to win the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (3.30).
This flawless chaser really is the full package and has also been here and done the business on two previous occasions having won the Sky Bet Supreme in 2015 and last year’s Racing Post Arkle.
The Queen Mother is the day two centre-piece, sandwiched in the middle of six other brilliant races including a couple of Grade Ones to gets things started.
My name’s Matt Brocklebank and I’ll be bringing you all the latest news live from the track and I'd also be delighted to answer any of your questions before we start building up to the action around midday. So email me at racingfeedback@sportinglife.com and I'll do my best to respond to the pick of them.