Cheltenham Day Two Betting Tips: Can Defi do it in the Champion Chase?
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After a thrilling first day at theCheltenham Festival we’re on to Day Two at Prestbury Park, which includes TigerRoll in the Cross Country and Defi Du Seuil v Chacun Pour Soi in the ChampionChase.
We’re primedand ready for another rip-roaring afternoon in the Cotswolds. And you can enjoyit all live on ITV and Racing TV with the help of our Cheltenham Tips…
13:30 – Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle – Envoi Allen (NAP)
It’s hard tosee past Envoi Allen in the opener.Gordon Elliott’s charge won the Champion Bumper last term and has made aseamless transition to obstacles, racking up three wins from three over hurdles.
Thatincludes a pair of taking successes in Grade 1 company over 2m and 2m 4f, withthe way he quickened towards the line last time out at Naas before being easeddown suggesting that 2m 5f should be no problem.
He has ahuge engine and we think there’s plenty more to come from the CheveleyPark-owned gelding, who should take all the beating in this.
14:10 – The RSA – Minella Indo
We’ve beensweet on Champ for a while. But his novice chase campaign has not been quite asstraightforward as it might have been. That’s why we’re siding with last year’sAlbert Bartlett winner Minella Indoinstead.
The selectionsprung a 50/1 shock at the Festival last year. He’s proved that was no flukewith two more subsequent victories at 3m, including at Navan in January, totake his record to 4/5 over the distance.
This lookslike the perfect test for Henry De Bromhead’s runner, who possesses both paceand the ability to stay. And with conditions also set to suit, it’s hard tolook past the seven-year-old against the field.
14:50 – Coral Cup – Champagne Well
Trying tofind the winner of the Coral Cup is like trying to find a needle in a haystack.But Champagne Well is one who wethink can run a decent race at a nice price for Fergal O’Brien.
Theseven-year-old has not been disgraced in Graded company this term, whichusually bodes well in this competitive 2m 5f renewal, while he’s a course anddistance winner from the Showcase Meeting too.
He’s droppedback to this distance for the first time since that run, and off a relativelyattractive mark of 141, should give a good account with Paddy Brennan on board.
15:30 – Champion Chase – Defi Du Seuil (NB)
With Altior a notable absentee, this should come down to a straight battle between Chacun Pour Soi and Defi Du Seuil. We’ve run the rule over the pair of them here, with the latter our pick to record a memorable win.
Philip Hobbs’charge has impressed this season with victories in the Tingle Creek and theClarence House. Yet it’s his Cheltenham record of six wins from eight, plus apair of Festival successes, that makes him so attractive.
This is Defi’splayground. And while Chacun may have beaten him at Punchestown last year, thatwas at the end of a long season for the selection, who can reverse that form onthe Irish challenger’s first run in the UK.
16:10 – Cross Country – Tiger Roll
Can anyone stopTiger from roaring to an incrediblefifth Festival success? It’s difficult to make an argument they can, as GordonElliott’s star goes for a hat-trick in the Cross Country on his way to theGrand National.
Last month’sreturn in the Boyne Hurdle should leave him spot on for this, and if he’s intop working order as we are led to believe, it’s difficult to see a way inwhich he gets beat.
Top Frenchperformer Easysland will give him most to think about, although David Cottin’srunner – now in the famous green and gold of J.P. McManus – still has plenty tofind on the favourite.
16:50 – Boodles Handicap Hurdle – Blacko (Lively Longshot)
Six of thelast eight winners of the Boodles have come at 33/1, 33/1, 25/1, 33/1, 25/1 and40/1. So we’ve looked down the field and picked out the progressive Blacko at what should be a nice price.
The four-year-oldhas won on both starts for Alan King, with a prominent ride and a strongjumping performance ahead of smart-looking The Pink’n at Warwick last time suggestinghe may enjoy this test.
He looksideally suited to the demands of a big field Handicap and has a lively each-waychance.
17:30 – Champion Bumper – QueensBrook
The Irishhave developed a taste for the Champion Bumper in the last few seasons. MessrsMullins and Elliott have won it each of the last three years, and the lattercould be set to make it four with QueensBrook.
Ourselection produced an emphatic performance to win by 21l on debut and shouldenjoy the testing conditions under top amateur Jamie Codd, who has partneredElliott on his last two wins in the race.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
