The Lucky 15 on day one wasn't bad, despite not finding any winners.
When you're looking outside the box, it's always going to be a tough task to find multiple winners in a Lucky 15/multiple bet.
Three of the horses placed, which were Hyland (6th), Downmexicoway (4th) and King Of Answers (2nd). All three ran very well, and on a different day, I think King Of Answers could have won if Derek Fox got his act together and pushed the button quicker.
Cheltenham 2026 Turners Novices' Hurdle | 1.20 pm – Shuttle Diplomacy 25/1 (4pl)
At a very big price, which is normally not the go-to for this race, I thought Shuttle Diplomacy was worth a crack.
If you're a fan of King Rasko Grey, then you must give Shuttle Diplomacy a chance in this. He was second to him when the pair met, and Shuttle Diplomacy was staying on strongly at the finish, recording a faster final furlong than the winner that day.
Since then, he went on to win on his next start, winning in a comfortable style.
As we always hear in this game, it's horses for courses, and there's every reason to believe Cheltenham can bring out the best of this horse. He finished third in the Champion Bumper at odds of 66/1 last year, staying on at the finish. I truly believe he needs this trip and has a much better chance than the odds compilers give him.
Cheltenham 2026 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase | 2.00 pm – Wendigo 9/1 (4pl)
Obviously, my main play for this race is Romeo Coolio, tipped up on the daily thread. However, when studying the race, I did think Wendigo had an each-way chance, and that's why he is here.
I thought he ran well behind Kitzbuhel at Kempton over the Christmas period, finishing third that day. He was off the bridle for the vast majority of the race and simply wasn't suited by the track.
Despite having issues, he stuck to his task well and stayed on very well inside the final furlong to get third. I think the step up to 3m 1f on a stiff track could see him be a player. I have no doubts about him seeing the trip out, and I do think he'll be off the bridle before a few of these, but he'll be sprinting up that hill under Gavin Sheehan, who will not give up on him.
Cheltenham 2026 Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase | 3.20 pm – Stumptown 11/4 (4pl)
An old friend of mine is simply being overlooked for the Cross Country Chase.
Stumptown won us a couple of races last year, and there's little reason to think he can't win this race again. We know he stays the trip, the ground has come right for him, and he jumps these fences like it's nothing.
I think people like to try and find the best new thing, and Favori De Champdou won easily at this venue last time out. However, he is an 11-year-old. Stumptown is still only nine years of age and arrives at the festival as a fresh horse.
The last time we saw him was when he won the Czech Republic National 150 days ago.
I think he deserves to be the favourite.
Cheltenham 2026 Queen Mother Champion Chase | 4.00 pm – L'Eau du Sud 9/2 (3pl)
I've put up way too many Dan Skelton horses for day two, but sometimes that's how the cookie crumbles.
Majborough was put up on the lay tips page, and I think the one to take him on with is L'Eau du Sud.
This horse has improved stones in the handicap since moving to fences, and he put up a big performance at this track earlier in the season to batter Jonbon. He then went to the Tingle Creek and ran a stinker.
We've not seen him since, and I don't think that's a bad thing at all. He looks at his best when fresh, so Dan has left him since the autumn, and I think he could spring a surprise.
GambleAware