Expert Tip 6 months ago by Racing Post

Cheltenham Day 2 Preview & Tips

We’ve picked out selections for the five ITV/ Virgin Media races including a couple of value bets to take on two of Wednesday’s odds on shots.

Day two of the Cheltenham Festival takes place on Wednesday with another four Grade 1 races headlining the card.

We’ve picked out selections for the five ITV/ Virgin Media races including a couple of value bets to take on two of Wednesday’s odds on shots.

1.30 - Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)

Ballyburn can get favourite backers off to a flying start on day two of the Festival. It doesn’t look like the highest quality renewal of the race from a depth perspective and Willie Mullins’ standout novice has scared a lot of the competition away into either the Supreme or the Albert Bartlett.

The step up in trip looks guaranteed to suit (full brother to Minella Daddy and Noble Endeavour) and his trainer has won the last two renewals of this contest.

Given that he’s already a Grade 1 winner, Ballyburn should be hard to beat if he finds any progress from his impressive Dublin Racing Festival win.

Add to your Betslip - Ballyburn

2.10 - Brown Advisory Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)

In recent years, this race has suffered from the addition of the Turners later in the week but this renewal looks above average with Stay Away Fay taking on odds on favourite Fact To File. The former might be worth chancing at the early odds.

There was plenty to like about his effort in the Cotswold Chase when third behind Capodanno and that effort, a first in open company, may be the piece of form to focus on. Three miles on testing ground are ideal for him and while Fact To File looked good at the Dublin Racing Festival last time, his only rival in that match race (Gaelic Warrior) never turned up.

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2.50 - Coral Cup

This year’s renewal looks as competitive as ever, despite the field not fully filling and some sort of case can be made for most of them.

The Irish challenge has to be respected with the likes of Built By Ballymore, Sa Majeste and Jigoro all progressive sorts that could be ahead of their marks but the one that shades the vote is from the home team.

Doddiethegreat shaped with plenty of encouragement in the Betfair Hurdle last time and that effort is worth upgrading given that the eight-year-old was caught in a pocket at a crucial stage. He handles this sort of ground well and should relish the step back up to an intermediate trip here.

It’s worth noting that Nico de Boinville opts for him over stablemate Lucky Place who also has solid claims after two near misses in recent starts.

Add to your Betslip - Doddiethegreat

3.30 - Champion Chase (Grade 1)

El Fabiolo is clearly the most talented horse in this but he has the habit of belting a fence every now and then and he won’t get away with that every time; at long odds on, he’s worth taking on.

Provided the eight runners stand their ground, Edwardstone could be the one to go with each-way. A change of tactics seemed to really spark a revival for him last time and there’s every chance he’ll get his own way up front in this field.

Add to your Betslip - Edwardstone

4.10 - Cross Country Chase

The Cross Country Chase has been abandoned due to unsuitable ground conditions on the cross country course.

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