Best bets and odds for day two of the Cheltenham Festival – UK Times

Wednesday’s Cheltenham Tips

It’s day two and as the Cheltenham Festival moves towards the halfway stage, punters and bookies alike will steel themselves for round two.

Turners Novices’ Hurdle (13.20, Cheltenham)

I don’t think this will take as much winning as in some years but the layers are finding it hard to name the favourite. As I write, it’s No Drama This End, who has done nothing wrong this season in winning three from three. He’s already a Grade 1 winner as he landed the Challow at Newbury in December and Paul Nicholls has certainly talked him up, with a mention of Denman in the same breath.

However, I think there’s some value in the 8/1 on offer at some betting sites about Skylight Hustle, who can be backed each-way. Gordon Elliott’s charge took a big leap forward when he dotted up in a Fairyhouse maiden hurdle (2m, yielding to soft) last November, before landing a Grade 1 over the same trip at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting.

He’s won a point, so this step up in trip should be very much a positive and I also think the drier conditions than we have all been anticipating will be a plus.

Cheltenham tip: Skylight Hustle – 1pt each-way @ 12/1 (Sky Bet)

Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (14.00, Cheltenham)

Now we finally know what’s running, I do like Romeo Coolio, who I think looks the business and has generally jumped impeccably so far. I’d say that, from what I’ve seen of him, he’ll have it to prove over this far. If you’re intent on backing him, I’m not going to put you off, but I’ve already put up Wendigo ante-post for this, and I’m happy enough with that voucher.

I sided with Jamie Snowden’s gelding in last year’s Albert Bartlett, when he ran a cracker and was just out of the frame. He’s made up into a nice staying novice chaser this term and keeps on improving.

His forte looks to be stamina and I think he’ll be a huge player when they begin to climb the hill for the final time. This could be his moment.

Cheltenham tips: Wendigo – 1pt each-way @ 9/1 (Coral)

BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle (14.40, Cheltenham)

Unless they take him out and leave him for the County Hurdle on Friday, my ante-post selection for the latter race, Puturhandstogether, won’t be going. It’s disappointing and always one of the gambles we take getting on early.

I thought he had a great chance with the ability to finish off a strong pace but connections clearly feel he has a better chance here. Stamina won’t be a problem and he’s not short on speed so I’ll still be having an ‘interest’ on him but for the win, I’ve been building towards getting stuck into the Willie Mullins-trained Storm Heart, who is one of the few horses I’ve had on the tracker all campaign.

His level of form is up there with any of the field. He’s been winning on very testing ground but he did land a Flat race on good when trained in France and he may have been winning in spite of conditions in Ireland, rather than because of them. He’s also improving.

Cheltenham best bet: Storm Heart – 3pts win @ 11/2 (Paddy Power)

Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase (15.20, Cheltenham)

This isn’t a race I generally spend a lot of time on and the specialist cross country or banks horses are generally the ones to keep onside. Former winner Stumptown comes into that category, as does Desertmore House but preference is for the ante-post favourite Favori De Champdou, who enjoyed a C&D success in January, his first attempt at the track.

That was a comfortable success and this former Grade 2 winner looks have to have the ability to go very close after an 8lb rise.

Cheltenham best bet: Favori De Champdou – 2pts win @ 5/2 (Betfred)

BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase (16.00, Cheltenham)

I’ve previously advised you to back Il Etait Temps for this race on horse racing betting sites, which was before he came a cropper after running no sort of race at Ascot last time.

Clearly, confidence would have to be slightly lower as a result of that. He had, however, jumped superbly when winning the Tingle Creek and with Majborough odds-on and L’Eau du Sud, who is very much inferior to Il Etait Temps on official ratings but a shorter price, I’ll stick with my original selection. With ten runners you can back him each-way if desired at 5/1.

Cheltenham best bets: Il Etait Temps – 1pt each-way @ 5/1 (BOYLE Sports)

Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (16.40, Cheltenham)

I had thought that connections may target Relieved Of Duties for the Plate, in which he had interested me at 33/1 on some betting apps. However, he’s going to run in this instead and I would still like to get involved at around half that price.

Gordon Elliott’s seven-year-old began his chasing career with a win at Fairyhouse (2m, yielding) last October, before coming here and showed plenty of improvement over today’s C&D (good to soft), despite finishing second to Alnilam.

He’s lost his way on testing ground since then but this point winner should be staying on strongly up the hill and I think the recent drier weather will certainly be in his favour.

Cheltenham tip: Relieved Of Duties (Grand Annual : Cheltenham, 16.40) – 1pt each-way @ 14/1 (QuinnBet)

Weatherbys Champion Bumper (17.20, Cheltenham)

A race that never gets any easier but I’m going for a bit of value and taking on the Irish (you’re doing what?! – Ed) with Bass Hunter.

Trainer Chris Gordon has been telling anyone who’ll listen that he’s a special horse and this point winner scored on debut at Newbury last November (good to soft), before adding a Listed success at Ascot (soft) the following month.

Conditions won’t be a problem and I liked the way he stuck on when challenged last time. He’ll do for me at a double-figure price.

Cheltenham tip: Bass Hunter (Champion Bumper: Cheltenham, 17.20) – 1pt each-way @ 10/1Ladb

Gamble responsibly

Bettors should always gamble responsibly, especially during the Cheltenham Festival, with a number of offers and betting markets widely available.

If you’re planning on having a bet on any race at Cheltenham, you should remember to always stick to a budget and never exceed it.

Never chase your losses. Always remain in control of your time and budget.

Bettors should use responsible gambling tools provided by gambling sites, such as deposit limits, loss limits and self-exclusion among others.

These safer gambling principles should apply whether you are using online bookmakers, slot sites, casino sites, bingo sites, or any other gambling medium.

In the UK, there are a number of gambling addiction charities ready and prepared to help you with counselling, support groups and practical advice on how to help you recover if you do lose control:

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