What a second day at the Cheltenham Festival to look forward to with the Queen Mother Champion Chase for many the race of this festival. In the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase twice Grand National winner Tiger Roll is looking to win this race for the fourth time. This remarkable horse has a very good chance in a fairly weak renewal and we can look forward to a fantastic reception for this wonderful horse.
Enjoy whether at Cheltenham or #athome watching on ITV Racing and Racing TV.
Cheers
The Wine Tipster
1.30 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 5f
Three Stripe Life has six lengths to find with Sir Gerhard on their form last time out at the Dublin Festival and whilst both ought to appreciate the step up in trip, Three Stripe Life has looked the one more in need of it and the Cheltenham hill looks sure to suit. At minimum Three Stripe Life looks booked for second place behind Sir Gerhard and is a good each way selection.
Unibet 6/1 each way
Unibet’s 15 To Go Free Bet Offer is running on all ITV races all week
2.10 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 3m ½f
L’Homme Presse is having such a fantastic season, as he started this season on a mark of 128 and now after four wins on the bounce, he has a rating of 159. This seven-year-old has won all of these races by wide margins, particularly impressing in the Dipper at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day and on his last appearance at Sandown in the Scilly Isles when winning this Grade 1 by 21 lengths. He can take on Bravemansgame and Ahoy Senor.
Unibet 100/30
Gaillard Du Mesnil was second to Bob Olinger in the Ballymore last year and now is looking like his chase career is starting to progress with a good third at the Dublin Festival to Galopin des Champs. On that occasion I fancied him each way and the step up to three miles looks sure to suit and this classy individual can get in the mix.
Unibet 14/1 each way
2.50 Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) 2m 5f
Drop The Anchor (nap) finished a close seventh in the County Hurdle last year over two miles and a furlong. If you rewatch Drop The Anchor’s County Hurdle performance you will see that he is doing all of his best work after the last, when staying on well up the hill and giving every indication he will get this trip.
On his last start at Leopardstown at the Dublin Festival he very much caught the eye, when never put into the race, as he was nearer last than first turning in but stayed on steadily to finish a close fifth over two miles. Drop The Anchor is 3lb lower than last year and he’ll go close if held up to make a late challenge.
Unibet 17/2 each way
Gowel Road for the Nigel Twiston-Davies team was impressive over this trip when giving a stone to Unexpected Party (has won since) when he won at Cheltenham in December, a superb effort despite not being best placed in a slow-run race, and the runner-up Unexpected Party has franked the form in no uncertain terms. This was a really eye-catching performance by Gowel Road and his two subsequent runs at two miles have not seen him to best effect, though in quality races when third to Onemorefortheroad at Newbury and second to Metier at Lingfield. His mark of 145 is definitely workable, he has won on good and good to soft and importantly Gowel Road is back to 2m 5f here, which gives him a much good chance.
Unibet 12/1 each way
Unibet are paying EXTRA PLACES in this race!
3.30 Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1) 2m
Shishkin for Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson remains unbeaten over fences and is looking to follow up his Supreme and Arkle victories in 2020 and 2021 respectively. This season Shishkin has won the Desert Orchid easily, beating Greaneteen by 10 lengths, ahead of the race of the season in the Clarence House at Ascot with Energumene.
This was a thriller, and it is worth a mention that at the two mile marker at Ascot Energumene was ahead, and Shishkin needed the final 200yds to get on top, but this famous uphill finish is going to be very much in his favour. Tactically it is hard to see how Energumene beats Shishkin, as the best way of getting him beat would be a messy race, but that would count against Energumene as well. Last year’s runner-up Nube Negra is something of a forgotten horse and has the tools to get in the mix, but Shishkin can claim the crown.
Unibet 4/5 win
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4.50 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 2m
Before Midnight from the Sam Thomas yard, who are having a fantastic season, has been progressing well this term. Watch a rerun of Before Midnight’s Cheltenham victory last October, beating last year’s Grand Annual winner Sky Pirate (reopposes here) to see how visually impressive he looked and how well suited he is to Prestbury. He followed up at Ascot by beating Amoola Gold at November and then on his last start finished a very good second to Funambule Sivola (won Game Spirit next time out and in Champion Chase) at Doncaster. He is certainly ground versatile, suited by the course, the yard are going well and he remains progressive.
Unibet 14/1 each way
Unibet is offering a SUPERBOOST on the last two races of each day
