Cheltenham Festival Day 2

The second day of the Festival, day one saw the brilliant Lossiemouth spank her rivals in the Champion Hurdle, it was a fantastic performance from this mare.

My first picks on Wednesday come in the second race, Brown Advisory at 2:00.

If Romeo Coolio stays this trip, he’ll take all the beating, but he’s never gone past 2m4f under rules. He could be very smart, but I can’t bet him at 5-2 in a 20 runner race with a possible stamina doubt.

Horses needed to be on the front end yesterday and handle good ground. Two horses that fit that bill are Western Fold priced at 12-1 & Wendigo 7-1. Both can be backed ew.

Storm Heart looks to have a favourites chance in the Premier Handicap at 2:40. Only seen once beyond 2m, he bolted up looking even better at Limerick over 2m4f. Connections then dropped him back to the minimum distance again next time. 

He looks to have been saved for this, 5-1 odds look fair.

If the Cross Country is your thing, whatever price the bookies give on Favori De Champdou, is taken. He’s been very well-supported and looks to have an obvious chance.

I’ve backed Final Orders EW at 8-1, I'm keen on his chances. He will love the ground whilst nothing will travel better than him until the turn for home. The ground was too soft for him last time, he should go well.

Pied Piper was classy in his time, this is his first run in such a race. If taking to the job, he’s thrown in off 145 and could also go well.

I’m really looking forward to watching Majborough in the feature race of the day, Queen Mother Champion Chase at 4:00.

He was finally given his head and allowed to bowl along when beating Marine Nationale by a huge 19 lengths. If he jumps well, and that's an if, he could put up a very special performance. His odds of 10-11 look fine if into a possible good thing or blow out.

The lucky pin is needed for the Grand Annual Chase. It’s fallen upon Ballysax Hank at 14-1 EW. His form in the American National beaten a head by Zanahiyr was some effort, that horse holds a rating of 152!

Ballysax Hank was then asked race over 3m, doesn’t stay and then could be seen given a floating ride last at the DRF. This looks to have been the aim for a while. The ground is ideal and at big odds Ballysax Hank should go nicely.