Cheltenham Festival Day 2: Best Tips for Wednesday at the Festival

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It's a Willie Mullins world and we're living in it. Yet again the master trainer delivered the goods on Day 1 of the Cheltenham Festival, pinging in three winners and I'm sure many of you will have had them in a treble or a rolling accumulator with his horses later to run in the week.

The Champion Hurdle was won by State Man, who didn't set the world alight with that performance. With how close Luccia was back in third, surely Lossiemouth would've hosed up is connections put her in that race. But, they can't be too sad as she proved a class above in the Mares' race, putting doubters to bed about her not staying the trip.

All my detailed previews for Day 2 at the Cheltenham Festival can be found below.

• 13:30 – Gallagher Novices' Hurdle
• 14:10 – Brown Advisory Novices' Chase
• 14:50 – Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle
• 15:30 – Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase
• 16:10 – Glenfarclas Chase Cross Country
• 16:50 – Johnny Henderson Grand Annual
• 17:30 – Weatherbys Champion Bumper

13:30 – Gallagher Novices' Hurdle

This is a no bet race for me, as I really can't look past Ballyburn who looks like Willie Mullins' novice stable star for this year. He was beaten on seasonal reappearance by Firefox, but hasn't looked back since that run, winning a maiden hurdle by 25L before winning a Grade 1 at the DRF by 7L, with the form of that race looking rock-solid.

Full race preview:

• 13:30 – Gallagher Novices' Hurdle

14:10 – Brown Advisory Novices' Chase

Arguably the strongest staying horse in the race is Stay Away Fay and fair play to Paul Nicholls for sticking him in this race as I thought the 3m 6f race which ends Day 1 would've been a shoo-in for this horse given that he has stamina for days. Though this is a different race than the Turners, I get the same kind of ride that Harry did on Stage Star last year might be on the cards.

Full race preview:

• 14:10 – Brown Advisory Novices' Chase

14:50 – Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle

Somehow, I've managed to talk myself into backing Franciscan Rock, who is one of the bigger-priced runners in the field. Mouse Morris has tuned down his runners in Ireland in recent years, so it's eye-catching that he sends this horse to Cheltenham. Mouse is 2/3 this year in the UK, so hasn't been wasting his bullets and I think there are far worse each-way players in this race than Franciscan Rock.

Full race preview:

• 14:50 – Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle

15:30 – Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase

Surprise, surprise, the Champion Chase is a no bet race for me. I think 99% of people will think El Fabiolo will romp home to victory for this race, and I am the same.

Full race preview:

• 15:30 – Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase

16:10 – Glenfarclas Chase Cross Country

Coko Beach is the newcomer for this race for Gordon and given the way he attacked his fences at last year's Grand National it wasn't a surprise to see him relish over the banks at Punchestown last time out as he ran out a very easy winner. He is the highest-rated horse in the race, officially rated 161, he doesn't have the same level of class about him as the others I've mentioned, but he is younger and comes into this with an obvious chance.

Full race preview:

• 16:10 – Glenfarclas Chase Cross Country

16:50 – Johnny Henderson Grand Annual

Libberty Hunter is the first selection for the Grand Annual and is the only runner of the week for Evan Williams. I still believe that this horse is on a good mark and given the way he stayed up the hill, he should be finishing off very strongly as long as he gets a clear round of jumping under his belt.

Unexpected Party is my second play in the race and I think this race has been the plan for a very long time. Dan Skelton seems to be very good at getting his horses back to winning marks, as he has done with Langer Dan and I think that is what he has managed to achieve with Unexpected Party.

Full race preview:

• 16:50 – Johnny Henderson Grand Annual

17:30 – Weatherbys Champion Bumper

I've opted for the Jordan Gainford ride, The Yellow Clay. I am quite keen on his chances coming into this race, as he finished 4th/10 in a race which has produced many winners of this race over the years, with the likes of A Dream To Share, Facile Vega, Envoi Allen and placed horses like Kilcruit and Appreciate It.

Full race preview:

• 17:30 – Weatherbys Champion Bumper

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