Planning to have a punt with Paddy Power on the Cheltenham Festival? Well, it’s only sensible to do as much research as possible before you get your ducks in a row!
We like to think we’re helpful folks here at PP News so we’ve gone through the history books to pick out some key trends for all seven races on the second day of the 2023 Cheltenham Festival.
Wednesday’s feature race sees Energumene bid to retain his Champion Chase crown but Willie Mullins’ stable star needs to bounce back from defeat to Editeur Du Gite and Edwardstone in the Clarence House.
The Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle kicks things off as Impaire Et Passe attempts to justify the hype and the leading British challenger, Hermes Allen, will need to defy the negative trend surrounding Challow winners.
Unbeaten Gerri Colombe is the warm favourite for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, while the final Grade 1 on the card sees Willie Mullins field 10 runners in the Champion Bumper.
Cheltenham Festival odds can be found on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise the key trends for all seven races on Wednesday at Cheltenham are below.
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Cheltenham 1:30 – Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
Right, let’s get the most-talked about stat out the way first, all 20 Challow Hurdle winners have been beaten, although six of the last nine to come to Cheltenham were placed. Sorry, Hermes Allen fans!
There’s also a bad trend for Gaelic Warrior backers as no winner since 1990 came into this off the back of a handicap win.
Cheltenham 2:10 – Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
You want to start your hunt for the winner by looking at the top three in Paddy Power’s betting as the last eight to be first past the post were towards the head of the market.
13 of the last 16 winners had previous run at the Cheltenham Festival, although Sir Gerhard supporters will be concerned to know that there has only been one previous winner this century that had two or fewer starts over fences.
Cheltenham 2:50 – Coral Cup (Premier Handicap)
The last four winners of the Coral Cup sported headgear so it is worth checking out our snazzy Racecards feature to see all the details of the runners and riders.
A previous sighter at the track could prove key as 10 of the last 13 winners had already run at Cheltenham.
Cheltenham 3:30 – Champion Chase (Grade 1)
A negative for Energumene is that only one horse this century has won this having been a beaten favourite last time out.
Another concern for Energumene backer is that all six previous back-to-back winners were short-price favourites when winning this for a second time.
Cheltenham 4:10 – Cross Country Chase
Delta Work potentially has the edge on Galvin because 14 of the last 18 winners had previously run on the Cross Country Course at Cheltenham.
Another trend that is in Delta Work’s favour is that the last eight Irish-trained winners wore tongue ties.
Cheltenham 4:50 – Grand Annual Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)
There has been just one winner this century to have already won a handicap chase that season.
Global Citizen can be ruled out because there has not been a repeat winner since 1959.
Cheltenham 5:30 – Champion Bumper (Grade 1)
The last four winners of the Champion Bumper posted a RPR of at least 128 on debut, which leads us to Fact To File, It’s For Me and Western Diego.
You can potentially put a line through Fact To File as no beaten favourite last time out has won this century.
Cheltenham Tips
- Our ultimate Cheltenham Cheat Sheet for all seven races on day two
- Ruby Walsh’s Cheltenham Cheat Sheet for day two of the Festival
- Former jockey Mick Fitzgerald’s best Cheltenham tips for day two of the meeting
- ITV Racing pundit Matt Chapman’s Cheltenham tips for day two of the Festival
Read More on the 2023 Cheltenham Festival
- Get all the latest Horse Racing News and Racing Tips at Paddy Power News
- Cheltenham Festival 2023 race times and day-by-day schedule
- All you need to know about the Cheltenham weather forecast, going and ground conditions