Racing Ahead tipster Ben Morgan offers his thoughts on an intriguing second day Festival racecard at Cheltenham.
Check out Betway’s latest Cheltenham betting markets for all the races across this week
1.20 – Lion set to roar
I’m glad Final Demand has been declared for the Turners Novices Hurdle on Wednesday as his clash with The New Lion is set to one of the battles of the week.
It looks to be a shootout of speed against stamina and with the ground and forecast in favour of the speed horses I have to side with THE NEW LION here.
He has looked exceptional in all starts to date and I fully expect him to continue that upward trajectory here.
His ability to travel sweetly will stand him in good stead here and although the race is deeper than the Skeltons may have liked I do think they have the best horse for these conditions.
2.00 – Bourbon might just take the biscuit
I have plenty of respect for both Ballyburn and Dancing City here but I have long thought stablemate QUAI DE BOURBON might just be a potential fly in the ointment here.
Being a Willie Mullins Martin Pipe runner last year he is a type you should be following in the future and he hasn’t done anything wrong in two chase starts to date.
Narrowly denied on debut, he put things right last time out when getting up late to beat his ill-fated stablemate Chapeau Du Soleil.
I think the step up to 3 miles could bring about no end of improvement and he could just be primed to run a career best here.
Whether that will be good enough remains to be seen but 18/1 with Betway I will be happy to take the chance.
2.40 – O’Brien looking for Coral Cup Comfort
Bunting has been the subject of plenty of support in the last day or so for the Coral Cup and current favourite Be Aware has been the talking horse for this race most of the Winter but I think they could be playing second fiddle to COMFORT ZONE who looks set to land one of these big pots sooner rather than later.
I don’t think this is a vintage renewal of the Coral Cup and I would be surprised if the winner didn’t come from the first 6 or 7 in the betting and of those it’s Joseph O’Brien’s horse who I think has the best chance.
A classy dual performer ran a good race at Christmas when third in a similar race and clearly a horse capable of going well fresh I think he has a big chance here at 8/1 Betway.
3.20 – Cromwell holds strong hand in Cross Country
With the Cross Country being a handicap this year I think it’s important to remember that and try and find the best handicapped horse in the field.
Favourite Stumptown shoulders top weight for all that he does have obvious claims but it is a lot of weight to give away to some classy types.
Stablemate VANILLIER would be more my sort of bet as he looks well weighted on the best of his form. He has had a spin around the course already and although bare form suggests he has plenty to find with his stablemate I do think he will be much fitter on Wednesday in order to try and reverse that form.
4.00 – Jonbon to have his day in the Sun
No one could deny JONBON a Champion Chase victory having been the best and most consistent two mile chaser around in the last 2 years.
I don’t buy the ‘Cheltenham is not his track’ nonsense as to me he has valid excuses each time he has been beaten here.
That could be the red herring which inspires a drift on the long time favourite although I don’t see him getting much bigger than evens. I think he’s a good thing so get on with Betway.
4.40 – Mozzie could be the Punter’s Mate in Grand Annual
MY MATE MOZZIE was a big eye catcher at the Dublin Racing Festival last time out, travelling sweetly before finding the well handicapped An Peann Dearg too strong in the final furlong.
That run, however would have put him spot on for this and his strong form in similar races both over jumps and on the flat gives him a huge chance here.
He looks the class act of the race. Betway go 13/2 and that looks decent value to me.
I’d like to mention THIRD TIME LUCKI at fancy prices as he might just be the lurker down the bottom. A once classy performer for Dan Skelton, he has run some fine races around here and it is possible new connections have been taking their time with him with the idea of him coming to the boil here in this race. He has a lovely low weight and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he were to feature in the finish.
5.20 – Harry might just be able to Dance in the Bumper
This isn’t a race which I will take too much of an interest in but looking at the declarations, I think HE CAN’T DANCE is overpriced at 28/1 with Betway.
Any Gordon Elliott runner in this race should be respected and I doubt there is as much between he and stablemate Kalypso’s chance as the market suggests.
My selection looks more of a staying type but those tend to be the type of horse you need to this bumper and if he is allowed to gallop on the front end I think he might be hard to catch up the hill. Sound each way chance to round off proceedings on Wednesday.
READ MORE: A Nicky Henderson Lucky 15 for Cheltenham Festival 2025
