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There is an open feel to many of the great Cheltenham races this year and some compelling stories.
Will Rape and Chacun Pour Soi hold up the form of Irish sensations? Cheltenham veterans like Altior and Paisley Park have one more great run in them? Plus the little matter of whether Al Boum Photo can win a third consecutive Gold Cup.
Here, the Telegraph racing experts Marcus Armytage and Charlie Brooks, as well as our insider Marlborough, choose their winners for the first day.
Cheltenham Festival 2021 day two
1.20pm – Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle
Marlborough: Small field assembled, but a highly competitive and intriguing revamp of the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle, with no less than three Grade 1 winners topping the market. Bravemansgame has long been highly regarded by its coach Paul Nicholls, who compared it to Denman following his 10-length victory at the Challow Hurdle, and is coming forward in search of a four timekeeper. However, it was hard not to be deeply impressed with BOB OLINGER easy Grade 1 hit at Naas in January, a performance that makes him the best in this context. Keskonrisk should appreciate this step in the journey and may stumble upon a place.
Marcus Armytage: BEAR GHYLLS – brings an undefeated record to the run and from an old-fashioned courtyard in the middle of Exmoor he will have three times the odds he should have.
Charlie Brooks: GAILLARD OF MESNIL: Willie Mullins’ rookie hurdlers look very strong. It’s hard to see the British beating him on this.
Ed Chamberlin: BRAVEMANSGAME: It could be one for the home team, coach Paul Nicholls has even compared it to Denman.
1.55pm – Novice Persecution Festival
Marlborough: A race that hasn’t always been the kindest to the market leaders, with only 6 favorites since 2000. Monkfish have been pretty bomb-proof to date, winning their last 6 starts, including the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle from the last year, as well as all three starts again. fences. It may well turn out too good for your 5 rivals here, but JUAN SPORTS seems to have been overlooked in this context and comes here with very lively statements. He seemed to have genuine excuses for his two losses under the rules, and he’s coming here after an impressive win in the Scilly Isles Rookie Hunt, with the step up to 3 miles today that is sure to unlock more upgrades.
Marcus Armytage: JUAN DEPORTIVO – Monkfish will be hard to beat, but it is not the price of a worker. Philip Hobbs’ Trained Hunter could be a lot better than what we’ve seen so far.
Charlie Brooks: Disappointing course, predictable selection. SNUFF.
Ed Chamberlin: The RAPE is big and tall, but also a brilliant athlete with ballerina feet. The Irish banker of the meeting.
2.30pm – Coral Obstacle Cup
Marlborough: Furiously Competitive Renewal of the Coral Cup; cases can be made for many. SAVE YOUR DREAMS seems to have been crying out for a step forward on the journey beyond 2 miles and has his chance here, having hit the line hard to finish sixth in last month’s Betfair Hurdle, having been outscored for most of the race; Expect to finish the hill hard here. Craigneiche was a huge winner of his only handicap outing at Ascot in January, and he comes across as one of the most unexplored improvers from Nicky Henderson’s stable who has won the last two races of this race. Janika completes the short list.
Marcus Armytage: WITNESS PROTECTION (NAP) – he has the speed to gain more than two miles, but also the stamina for this ride, he is a novice who is getting better with no weight on his back.
Charlie Brooks: MOUNT CHRIST It was so impressive at Kempton in December that his contacts haven’t bothered to direct it again. Presumably this has been the plan. Even more to come from him.
Ed Chamberlin: SAVE YOUR DREAMS He finished very strong at Betfair Hurdle, when he came sixth, and this longer trip could be ideal. Advised in every way.
3.05pm – Chase of Champions
Marlborough: Champion Chase is a race that has somewhat eluded master trainer Willie Mullins over the years and while Chacun Pour Soi appears to have a lot going for it, it remains untested at Cheltenham and others are more attractive at prices. probable. As the winner of his last 6 starts, including an impressive inaugural Grade 1 victory at Ascot last time, FIRST FLOW It can be a big threat to everyone, especially if more rain falls in Prestbury Park. Political scientist can further frank the Ascot form of First Flow with another great career here, and complete the short list of opportunities.
Marcus Armytage: BLACK CLOUD – We only have the evidence of one race when he beat Altior at Christmas, but he may be the one that makes Chacun Pour Soi do his best.
Charlie Brooks: ALL FOR THEMSELVES it cannot be opposed. It is pure class and is the standard-bearer of the ‘Mullins machine’.
Ed Chamberlin: I’m not sure I like the price, but EACH ONE BY HIMSELF has all the attributes to allow Willie Mullins to fill the gap in his Cheltenham CV
3:40 p.m.: cross-country chase
Marlborough: While it lacks some obvious depth, this year’s Cross Country Chase sees 4-time Cheltenham Festival winner and double Grand National winner Tiger Roll collide with his conqueror in last year’s Cross Country at the Festival, namely EASYSLAND, and it’s not hard to imagine the latter confirming that form this afternoon. Easysland is the age on his side and was left with the most impressive winner of this race last year. He has only had one race this season, finishing fourth on today’s course and the distance in November. Much better can be expected today, and rate the banking material here. Tiger Roll can chase him home one more time.
Marcus Armytage: EASYSLAND – he won the race doing a handstand last year, even if he was a little under par, he should go very close.
Charlie Brooks: This race is a one-time task that often throws up the usual suspects. I will stay with EASYLAND, even though he has a new jockey who is not ideal for this course.
Ed Chamberlin: EASYLAND he won this past year for David Cottin and is looking forward to doing it again. My beloved Tiger Roll is the second favorite, but I’m afraid it would be a sentimental gamble.
4.15pm – Annual Big Hunt
Marlborough: Open race. ENTOUCAS He has yet to win on the hurdles in 5 starts, but he has proven to be a consistent guy since his switch to the chase and is considered to be a very good figure here. Amoola Gold is another consistent horse that is featured with upbeat affirmations in every way; it stays in a good mark and can beat the double-digit odds. Ibleo has done nothing but improve the fences, looking better than ever when he won at Doncaster in January. He has another career-high mark to challenge, but it’s hard to dismiss it that way.
Marcus Armytage: CHOSEN PARTNER – he won the race last year coming from behind, he can get back in shape in a race that is traditionally run at a breakneck pace.
Charlie Brooks: This is a good race for beginners and PIRATE OF HEAVEN It has been a revelation since he returned on the road, even though he earned point after point when he was four years old.
Ed Chamberlin: EMBITTERED He was third at the County Hurdle last year, so so has that all-important form of Festival. Looks pretty treated over the fences.
4.50pm – Champion Bumper
Marlborough: LIFE OF THREE STRIPES He seemed more than useful in earning his only excellent start and has been the subject of interesting market support in recent days, all the more remarkable given the prominence of former stablemate Sir Gerhard at the front of the market. Sir Gerhard himself has also looked high class, winning all 3 of his starts to date and he should feature here; the more the soil dries, the better its chances. Kilcruit was the most impressive Grade 2 winner at Leopardstown last month, seeking value by far more than the simple margin would imply; it can be a danger to everyone. Finally, Shearer has to step up, but he has more than the right to do so after just two starts; he completes the short list.
Marcus Armytage: KILCRUIT – managed to win his last race without leaving second gear.
Charlie Brooks: Willie Mullins could easily have the top three at home. Kilcruit cannot be defeated in his last race, but RAMILLIES, who the coach says has yet to get to the bottom of it, is a big gamble both ways.
Ed Chamberlin: Mullins will win the bumper, but it’s just a question of which. Kilcruit and Sir Gerhard look outstanding, but when you interview Willie, he always talks about RAMILLIESin enthusiastic terms, and he’s usually not too wrong. I will go in every way here.
Marlborough’s bet on the second day
JUAN SPORTS (1.55) is the only runner on the field who has yet to tackle 3 miles, and that step forward on the trip could unlock enough improvement to upset the short-priced favorite here. Booted out of the clear second choice by the market behind Envoi Allen at last year’s Ballymore Novices ‘Hurdle, Sporting John failed to give his true career and, following a strong win at last month’s Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase, may give a big advantage. good account of himself now stepped up on travel.
Cheltenham Festival 2021 tips and best bets during the week
1) Sporting John, 12-1 in the Brown Advisory Novice Chase (Wednesday)
He was a bit disappointing at the Ballymore Hurdle, which he was 5-1, last year, but ended up in distress. He’s clearly had some issues this season. He didn’t run any kind of race at Exeter and after a long gap off the field it took him years to warm up at Sandown, but he managed to win very well. It can only improve that. The ‘but’, of course, is that he faces Rape, Willie Mullins’ favorite. It will be tough to beat and Sporting John may be one of the predictions, but if Monkfish is taken in advance by The Big Breakaway, it could set up the race for Sporting John, who starts slowly, to climb the hill.
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