We’re back at Prestbury Park for Day Two of the Festival and the buzz of Cheltenham is as fresh as it was on the in opening day in Power Tower.
The action began with a stunning victory for massive favourite Samcro in the opener and Altior took the highlight of the day, the Queen Mother Champion Chase, in utterly spectacular fashion.
Our course, we are wishing Ruby all the best and a speedy recovery after his fall on Al Boum Photo in the RSA Chase. Feeling that punters won’t get a fair shake due to Ruby’s injury, we’ve paid out on him to be top jockey at the Cheltenham festival. Get well soon Ruby!
Right, let’s get to the action.
Find the latest Horse Racing odds over at PaddyPower.com
Pundits, tipsters and punters alike were all relieved to see Jack Kennedy deliver a mature performance beyond his years as he guided the heavily backed Samcro to an expected and dominating victory in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle.
Luckily for Paddy Power customers, we’re refunding on all losers as a free bet (see terms here) after Gordon Elliot’s charge did the business, giving him his first winner of the Festival. He was never actually going to lose, was he?
Odds-on favourite Samcro wins the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle @CheltenhamRaces and remains unbeaten over hurdles (4-4). #TheFestival
New Betfair customers get up to £100 in free bets: https://t.co/M5sVHe3vhU (T&Cs apply ?) pic.twitter.com/hm8CGvhdqM
— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) March 14, 2018
13.30 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle
1st Samcro (8/11F)
2nd Black Op (8/1)
3rd Next Destination (4/1)
Presenting Percy made it two consecutive wins for the favourites as Davy Russell steered him to victory at his ease in the RSA Novices’ Chase, showing us why he is one of the best in the business.
Monalee tried his best to stay in it and travelled well, but he had no answer for Patrick Kelly’s charge once he found that extra gear.
A great performance from Presenting Percy
who wins the RSA Chase @CheltenhamRaces, his second #TheFestival success, and is now 3-5 over fences.New Betfair customers get up to £100 in free bets: https://t.co/M5sVHe3vhU (T&Cs apply ?) pic.twitter.com/vg93efjGR3
— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) March 14, 2018
14.10 RSA Novices’ Chase
1st Presenting Percy (5/2F)
2nd Monalee (10/3)
3rd Elegant Escape (9/1)
With the sad news of Ruby being stood down for the day after his fall off Al Boum Photo, the jockey reshuffle meant that Mark Walsh mounted Blue Berry. And boy, did he deliver.
Walsh secured his first ever Cheltenham win as he guided 20/1 shot Bleu Berry to a rampaging finish to claim the Coral Cup against a huge field.
Bleu Berry digs deep to win the Coral Cup and provides Mark Walsh with his first @CheltenhamRaces Festival winner. #TheFestival
New Betfair customers get up to £100 in free bets: https://t.co/M5sVHe3vhU (T&Cs apply ?) pic.twitter.com/N7JdHRlfle
— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) March 14, 2018
14.50 Coral Cup
1st Bleu Berry (20/1)
2nd Topofthegame (9/1)
3rd Barra (16/1)
4th William Henry (8/1)
5th The Organist (25/1)
6th Red Indian (14/1)
Altior put any doubts of his fitness firmly to bed, as he fought off a spirited efforted from Min to claim victory in the Queen Mother Champion Chase in fine style.
The race was billed as a showdown between Altior and the returning Douvan, but when the Willie Mullins horse took a tumble halfway around, there was only ever one winner in this one, despite a courageous effort from Min.
Altior gains his third Cheltenham Festival success and maintains his unbeaten record over fences (8-8) with a superb victory in the Champion Chase @CheltenhamRaces. #TheFestival
New Betfair customers get up to £100 in free bets: https://t.co/M5sVHe3vhU (T&Cs apply ?) pic.twitter.com/zicUI8oJAN
— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) March 14, 2018
15.30 Queen Mother Champion Chase
1st Altior (EvensF)
2nd Min (5/2)
3rd God’s Own (40/1)
Tiger Roll made it a fantastic day for Gordon Elliott as Keith Donoghue brought in yet another winner for the Irish trainer.
The horse absolutely loves it around Prestbury Park and proved it once again with his third win at the Festival.
Tiger Roll (7-1) wins the Cross Country Chase and records his third Cheltenham Festival success @CheltenhamRaces. #TheFestival
New Betfair customers get up to £100 in free bets: https://t.co/M5sVHe3vhU (T&Cs apply ?) pic.twitter.com/8DUXeQ7HpE
— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) March 14, 2018
16.10 Cross Country Chase
1st Tiger Roll (7/1)
2nd Urgent De Gregaine (12/1)
3rd The Last Samuri (11-4F)
Veneer Of Charm caused a shock in the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, landing another win for the combination of Jack Kennedy and Gordon Elliot.
Kennedy did brilliant to bring the horse back under control just when it looked like Veneer Of Charm wanted to go wandering and he steered it up the hill to pass the winning post in front.
Veneer Of Charm (33-1) causes an upset in the Fred Winter and completes a treble for Gordon Elliot @CheltenhamRaces. #TheFestival
New Betfair customers get up to £100 in free bets: https://t.co/M5sVHe3vhU (T&Cs apply ?) pic.twitter.com/axt2u0Pdfo
— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) March 14, 2018
16.50 Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
1st Veneer Of Charm 33/1
2nd Style De Garde 12/1
3rd Nube Negra 15/2F
4th Padleyourowncanoe 33/1
5th Turning Gold 20/1
It was an emotional end to the day for the Walsh family as Katie Walsh landed the Weatherbys Champion Bumper on board Relegate.
Having watch her brother Ruby be taken to hospital earlier in the day, it was certain a case of mixed emotions for Katie. However, it has to be said, she had a cracking ride on the mare.
Relegate (25-1) flies home to win the Champion Bumper @CheltenhamRaces and provides Willie Mullins with his ninth win in the race. #TheFestival
New Betfair customers get up to £100 in free bets: https://t.co/M5sVHe3vhU (T&Cs apply ?) pic.twitter.com/wHfJXDdEeS
— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) March 14, 2018
17:30 Weatherbys Champion Bumper
1st Relegate 25/1
2nd Carefully Selected 6/1
3rd Tornado Flyer 14/1
4th Acey Milan 9/2F