*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
WHAT A DAY – AND THERE’S PLENTY MORE TO COME!
THE GANG ARE BACK AGAIN WITH THEIR DAY TWO CHEAT SHEET
HERE’S THE REST OF YOUR TOP TIPS FOR WEDNESDAY
- Matt Chapman’s 7 top tips for Day 2 at Cheltenham
- Ruby Walsh’s Wednesday Cheltenham Cheat Sheet
- Mick Fitzgerald’s top tips for EVERY Wednesday Cheltenham race
- Top Paddy Power trader Frank Hickey picks his Cheltenham tips
- Sky Sports’ Gina Bryce picks her punts for Wednesday at Cheltenham
- He picked an 18/1 winner on Tuesday – here’s Paul Jacobs picks for the rest of Cheltenham
Supreme Novices Hurdle (13:30) – Constitution Hill
Here we go people. Cheltenham 2022 kicks off with the Grade 1 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle over an extended 2m. What a cracking opener. Like many, I was blown away by CONSTITUTION HILL on his debut at Sandown and he did nothing to suggest that opinion was not correct on his second start. That was in the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle at the same track in January when he thrashed Jetoile by 12l. Nico de Boinville was gooey after that success and Nicky Henderson seems to think he’s exceptional. Hopefully he’ll get the blog off to a flying start.
Arkle Chase (14:10) – War Lord (each-way)
Now it’s the Grade 1 Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase over 2m. Edwardstone has done nothing wrong and can easily score for Alan King and rising star Tom Cannon. I’m going to have a few quid on WAR LORD (each-way) for Colin Tizzard and Brendan Powell. He was thrashed by Edwardstone in the Henry VII at Sandown but kept on well that day and might be ridden to get a place. At the end of the day he’s been in great form over fences this season and is huge odds. A race I want to take a chance in.
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Ultima Handicap Chase (14:50) – Death Duty
This is the Grade 3 Handicap Chase over 3m1f. DEATH DUTY is a once near 160-rated hurdler who can go here off 144 after banging back to form last time at Punchestown for Gordon Elliott. The once 13-8 favourite for the Albert Bartlett has been mostly disappointing recently, but he was a fine fifth in the brilliant Paddy Power Chase at Punchestown in December and that last success was decent. Stays strongly and a great racing weight on 10st 6lb.
Champion Hurdle (15:30) – APPRECIATE IT
The big one. The Grade 1 Champion Hurdle over an extended 2m. Honeysuckle is long odds-on and will probably win for Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore. That said I wasn’t impressed with her last time and I’m not sure she’s beaten much despite an amazing career of fourteen straight wins. She’s the pinup girl but APPRECIATE IT might just be the bruiser.
I can’t argue his form is better than Honeysuckle because it’s not; it’s more a gut feeling with Appreciate IT that he might just be super special. He looked a monster when second in the bumper and even more so when landing a fairly weak Supreme. He will have to be to land this on seasonal debut. Fingers crossed he runs well. Tommy’s Oscar could easily slip into the frame as he will be ridden from off the pace for a place.
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- CHECK OUT OUR SNAZZY RACECARDS FOR EVERY RACE, EVERY DAY OF THE FESTIVAL
Mares Hurdle (16:10) – HEAVEN HELP US (EACH-WAY)
Another Grade 1 in the Mares’ Hurdle over 2m4f. I was hoping Concertista would win this, but with her out I will have a few quid each-way on HEAVEN HELP US for Paul Hennessy and Danny Mullins. My hope has been held recently by Honeysuckle and Royal Kahala but neither of those are in this and she has at least place claims with a mark of 147.
Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (16:50) – GAELIC WARRIOR
Grade 3 company in the Juvenile Handicap Hurdle over an extended 2m. Hopefully the good thing of the day in GAELIC WARRIOR for Rich Ricci, Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. Of course we are all slightly guessing, but the well bred Niarchos family import ran three times in France against decent opposition and ended up with a rating of 139. For some reason the British handicappers allow him to run off 129 here and he could just be thrown in. Against that, of course, is that he’s never won a race or been in anything as competitive as this one. If he copes with this test, he could arrive on the snaff. If not, it’s wide open.
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National Hunt Chase (17:30) – Stattler (updated)
I really wanted to take on Run Wild Fred in this but alas the field is cutting up badly. Firstly I thought On the Ropes would be good value, but then he was taken out yesterday. That said I will still take on Run Wild Fred with Stattler. He looked like a strong stayer when winning at Naas last time and he should travel better than the favourite throughout the race. The problem with the market leader is that he has looked a right rogue from time to time, and I’m just not sure about his attitude. That said there really isn’t much to take him on with now in what is a very very disappointing turnout.
So best of luck and pray for Yeeehaaas. You hear me Paddy?
Matt Chapman’s Tips
- Supreme Novices Hurdle (13:30) – Constitution Hill
- Arkle Chase (14:10) – War Lord (each-way)
- Ultima Handicap Chase (14:50) – Death Duty
- Champion Hurdle (15:30) – Appreciate It
- Mares Hurdle (16:10) – Heaven Help Us (each-way)
- Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (16:50) – Gaelic Warrior
- National Hunt Chase (17:30) – Stattler
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
CHELTENHAM TIPS TODAY
- Ruby Walsh’s Day One Cheat Sheet has all your best bets
- Gina Bryce’s Cheltenham tips for Tuesday
- Mick Fitzgerald’s horse racing tips for Cheltenham’s opening day
- Frank Hickey’s Day 1 picks at the Cheltenham Festival 2022
