It’s day two of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival, and one of the best in the business, Matt Chapman, is here to give us his tips for Wednesday’s action at Prestbury Park.
You can check out Paddy’s complete list of options across all markets on Cheltenham betting as we continue with the racing action.
Matt Chapman’s Cheltenham Day Two tips
13:20 Final Demand
14:00 Ballyburn
14:40 Ballyadam
15:20 Mister Coffey
16:00 Jonbon
16:40 Unexpected Party (each-way)
17:20 Kalypsochance (each-way)
*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.
13:20 Final Demand
Day 2 of Cheltenham 2024 starts with the Grade 1 Turners’ Novices’ Hurdle over 2m5f. FINAL DEMAND goes here for Willie Mullins, and he looks like an absolute monster.
My boy is undefeated in three starts, a point-to-point, and two novice hurdles. He blew the field away in Grade 1 company at Leopardstown last time, and while he’s a big chaser in the making, he will be too good for this lot.
It’s odd how things work out as the horse who he beat in the point-to-point is only rated in the 80s and the third is absolutely useless. Final Demand is far from that for Bryan Drew and Prof Caroline Tisdall. A relatively small field should help him.
14:00 Ballyburn
Grade 1 company again in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase over an extended 3m. BALLYBURN looks another good thing for Willie Mullins although he’s not crazy short in the betting.
It’s odd how quickly people forget that as a hurdler, Ballyburn looked as though he might never be beaten, slamming the field in the Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle.
That probably wasn’t the greatest renewal of all time, but he still looked a machine, and I suspect he’s been gagging for this step up in distance having been defeated over fences by Sir Gino over two miles earlier in the campaign. Has won eight of his ten starts and can go in again.
14:40 Ballyadam
A big handicap hurdle now over 2m5f. BALLYADAM has just turned ten, and his best years are behind him. That said, he was second in this last year for Henry de Bromhead and is only 4lb higher on this occasion on the back of a confidence-boosting win in a small field.
He’s also been fifth in a County Hurdle on two occasions and chased home Appreciate It in a Supreme. Basically, he goes well here. I put up BE AWARE at 14-1 many weeks ago so also have him in the book as he steps up in trip for the first time off a low weight. He will be out the back and try and come home fast. The annoying thing is he’s not much of a price now.
15:20 Mister Coffey
This is the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase over an extended 3m5f. MISTER COFFEY has never won over fences, and it’s probably ridiculous to think he might land this contest, even though he’s proven over these odd obstacles. That all said, now in a handicap he only has 10st 10lb to hump, and a mark of 143 is workable should he finally want to really win!
16:00 Jonbon
The big race of the day in the Grade 1 Queen Mother Champion Chase over 2m. JONBON gets his chance for Festival glory here for Nicky Henderson.
At Cheltenham, so far, he’s finished second to Constitution Hill in the Supreme and second to El Fabiolo in the Arkle. He missed last year with the Henderson horses out of sorts.
That aside, he has won 17 of his 20 starts and picked up the Grade 1 Tingle Creek and Clarence House this term. Basically, he’s ready to strike in the most important race for two-mile chasers, and I’m sure this is his moment. Has been rated 170 for his last eight or nine starts. Ultra consistent.
16:40 Unexpected Party (each-way)
Slick jumping is needed here for the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup over 2m. This column banged in UNEXPECTED PARTY here last year at 12-1, and although 6lb higher, he’s the each-way selection again.
Last year soft ground was a worry on the day, but the drying ground this time around is just what he wants and that might let him overcome the handicap rise. Goes for the Skeltons who are mustard in handicaps.
17:20 Kalypsochance (each-way)
Day 1 closes with the Grade 1 Weatherbys Champion Bumper over an extended 2m. As always a bit of a lottery. I’m happy to risk KALYPSO’CHANCE for Gordon Elliott and Gigginstown. A point winner who has scored in style at Punchestown and Navan my hope should have more to give in a big field off a strong gallop. Should have each-way claims.
So best of luck and pray for Yeeehaaas. You hear me Paddy?
Matt Chapman’s Cheltenham Day Two tips
13:20 Final Demand
14:00 Ballyburn
14:40 Ballyadam
15:20 Mister Coffey
16:00 Jonbon
16:40 Unexpected Party (each-way)
17:20 Kalypsochance (each-way)
*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.
READ MORE
- Our legendary Cheltenham Cheat Sheet gives the inside track on Day 2
- Cheltenham Tips: Ruby Walsh’s Wednesday cheat sheet for Day 2 of the 2025 Festival
- Lucky 15 Tips: Cheltenham selections for Wednesday from Andy Robson
- Cheltenham Tips: Patrick Mullins’ best Wednesday picks for day 2 of the 2025 Festival feature a 12/1 shout
- Ruby Walsh: My A-Z of what the Cheltenham Festival means this year
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