Tuesday provided plenty of thrills, spills and – if you had a bit of luck – dollar bills, and we wouldn’t be surprised if day two’s Cheltenham Festival line-up is just as much of a rollercoaster ride for punters as well as your humble bookmaking pal.
Whether you’re up, down or somewhere in the middle after day one though there’s still seven more smashing races of top class National Hunt fare to get stuck into on Wednesday – try to contain your excitement.
We’ll know by about 1.35pm whether Willie Mullins made the right call in diverting Ballyburn to the Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle after Slade Steel franked the form in Tuesday’s opener. If Ballyburn disappoints, Mullins still saddles market leaders Fact To File (2.10pm), Sa Majeste (2.50pm) and El Fabiolo (3.30pm) among others as he tries to turn the screw on day two.
There’s an inspection of the Country Chase course at 8am on Wednesday so be prepared for it to be a late addition to Friday’s card.
A few who won’t be diverting anywhere are our pundits’ panel of Ruby Walsh, Mick Fitzgerald, Nina Carberry, Matt Chapman and Patrick Mullins for all the fun of the Festival and they’ll give us their top tips and insights into every race each day.
Scroll down for their pick on every race in our handy interactive cheat sheet. Or, if you’re a bit more old school and prefer to have a printout in your hand, we respect that. Just click HERE to download.
Mick Fitzgerald
Matt Chapman
Paddy Mullins
Ruby Walsh
Nina Carberry
Mick Fitzgerald
Ballyburn is the obvious pick but I’d sooner Ile Atlantique (each-way) who has some very good form to his name.
Matt Chapman
Most will see this as a penalty kick for Ballyburn, but I’ll have a few quid each-way on JINGKO BLUE at the prices.
Paddy Mullins
We think the world of Ballyburn and this will tell us whether we are right or not. Trip and ground will suit.
Ruby Walsh
Ballyburn has been my pick in whatever race he runs in so I’ll stick with him. Jimmy Du Seuil could be an each-way play.
Nina Carberry
Now that Ballyburn runs here he’s still the one to beat.
Mick Fitzgerald
I’m not as convinced that Fact To File will relish this 3m trip. Stay Away Fay is a very strong stayer and I’d sooner side with him if this turns into a slog.
Matt Chapman
I’m a huge STAY AWAY FAY supporter whoever beats him here will have to be a real star. Of course Fact to File might, but I’ll stick with Harry Cobden.
Paddy Mullins
Fact to File jumps, settles, and has a high-cruising speed and a turn of foot. The full package.
Ruby Walsh
Fact to File should be too quick for Stay Away Fay who will have to do a lot of the donkey work now up front.
Nina Carberry
I fancy Monty’s Star each-way to run a big race.
Mick Fitzgerald
Doddiethegreat ran really well in the 2m Betfair Hurdle and the step up in trip to 2m 5f should really suit him.
Matt Chapman
The one I’m risking here is MIGHT I. He’s interesting off 142 having been fourth this time last year off 145 in the Martin Pipe behind Iroko.
Paddy Mullins
If Sa Majeste runs like he works at home then he is well handicapped.
Ruby Walsh
Willie Mullins saddles Sa Majeste who could be well handicapped but his price is short enough now for a handicap like this. I prefer First Street (each-way) for a bit of value.
Nina Carberry
Built by Ballymore is set up for this race, he’s been laid out for it all season.
Mick Fitzgerald
I feel like a deserter ignoring Jonbon but everything has to go right for him to win. El Fabiolo just always finds a way to get the job done.
Matt Chapman
I’m massively in the EL FABIOLO camp and expect him to prove the outstanding two-miler chaser of the season.
Paddy Mullins
El Fabiolo beat Jonbon last year and should confirm that result again.
Ruby Walsh
I still think the angle on Jonbon
(each-way) stands up. I can’t see him out of the three so you’ll get your money back. If he beats El Fabiolo you’ll get a bunch more.
Nina Carberry
I can’t get away from El Fabiolo.
Mick Fitzgerald
Delta Work is a real course specialist and looks for a hat-trick of wins in this contest. He’s a proven performer.
Matt Chapman
I wanted to oppose the former Gold Cup hero MINELLA INDO but he will love the heavy ground and he really does have an excellent chance of winning.
Paddy Mullins
Minella Indo is a former Gold Cup winner in the Cross Country. He picks himself.
Ruby Walsh
The Cross Country course faces an 8am inspection on Wednesday. If the ground is that heavy it will suit Coko Beach.
Nina Carberry
I’m going with Galvin who put in a brilliant run at Navan last time.
Mick Fitzgerald
Libberty Hunter is a novice with some very good form this season. The booking of top UK jockey Harry Cobden should be noted.
Matt Chapman
UNEXPECTED PARTY (each-way) would want better ground but he might just be a very well handicapped. If held up off a strong gallop could be very interesting.
Paddy Mullins
Saint Roi always runs well at Cheltenham and is a Grade 1 horse in a handicap.
Ruby Walsh
Two against the field for me in Saint Roi who ran well enough in the Arkle last year and Libberty Hunter.
Nina Carberry
San Fureur was a very decent hurdler and has good chase form this season. He steps in to handicap company now and handles soft ground.
Mick Fitzgerald
Romeo Coolio looked very good when winning at Fairyhouse and could give his owners reason to celebrate after Mount Ida won for them at a ‘Covid’ Cheltenham.
Matt Chapman
For some time I’ve been siding with YOU OUGHTA KNOW (each-way) who is one of many who goes for Willie Mullins. A big field and strong pace should suit.
Paddy Mullins
Jasmin De Veux put in the most visually impressive performance at Naas and I’m lucky enough to be riding him.
Ruby Walsh
Argento Boy (each-way) performs better on the track than he does in his homework and will stay going in the soft ground.
Nina Carberry
I have to go with The Yellow Clay. There’s a lot more to come from him.
READ MORE
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