There’s another free-to-play ITV on Wednesday afternoon for day two of the Cheltenham Festival and there’s a whopping £200,000 available to those that can pick out seven winners from the seven selected races. Our in-house tipster Steve Chambers takes a look at all the action and picks out his selections for each of the contests on Queen Mother Champion Chase day.
How the ITV7 Works
The ITV7 couldn’t be simpler, as you have to pick a selection in each of the seven selected races and if they all win then you can win a share of the huge jackpot. The free-to-play game offers you the chance to win enormous prizes, so why not check out our explainer article that tells you all you need to know.
Race 1 – 1.30 Cheltenham (Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle)
All eyes will be on Ballyburn in the Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle, as the Willie Mullins-trained star looks to live up to the hype and the Closutton inmate is a red-hot favourite for the Wednesday curtain-raiser. The Mullins team opted to bypass the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle for this longer race, but with ground conditions set to be heavy with lots of rain hitting the track then could he be vulnerable and worth taking on?
His stablemate JIMMY DU SEUIL is a fascinating runner as he was last seen winning at Clonmel over two miles in heavy ground and he’s another stepped up in trip. Having shown he acts on the surface he could be one that upsets the apple cart and at double-figured odds, at the time of writing, is of interest.
Race 2 – 1.50 Huntingdon
We veer away from Cheltenham for race 2 and it’s the 1:50pm at Huntingdon that takes centre stage and it’s Richard Bandey’s VILLAINESS that is the way to side with. Second on his last two outings, Bandey’s charge has been handed an initial mark of 104 and that looks workable if he can build on his Plumpton run last time out, but it’s a trappy race for punters to try and work out.
Race 3 – 2.10 Cheltenham (Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase)
Only six go to post for the Grade 1 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, but it could be a procession for the hot favourite FACT TO FILE, who should prove to be a cut above his rivals. Last season’s Albert Bartlett winner Stay Away Fay could be the biggest danger, but the manner in which Fact To File demolished Gaelic Warrior last time out at Leopardstown suggested he could be a potential future Cheltenham Gold Cup star for Willie Mullins and he looks potential Nap material for the day.
Race 4 – 2.30 Huntingdon
INEDIT STAR has been a real model of consistency of late winning three outings ago and finishing second twice and the six-year-old can claim victory in the 2:30pm at Huntingdon. Those last two runs have come over fences, so it’s interesting that connections are reverting back to hurdles, but his last outing over the smaller obstacles saw him taste success and he can continue his fine run of form and win this event.
Race 5 – 2.50 Cheltenham (Coral Cup)
Runner-up in last season’s County Hurdle, FIRST STREET is set to step up in trip for the hugely competitive Coral Cup and he could well be a value play for Nicky Henderson. He was outclassed by Lossiemouth in the International Hurdle at Cheltenham on Festival Trials Day, but this is much calmer waters and if he can relax through the early stages of the race then he’s capable of going very close. Proven form at the Cheltenham Festival can often be a massive bonus and Ballyadam is another that has run well at this meeting before, but it’s First Street that is the selection.
Race 6 – 3.10 Huntingdon
Anthony Charlton’s SECRET SAUCE put in a career best over hurdles last time out when second at Hereford and if the four-year-old can build on that effort then he can taste a first win over timber. This is a pretty low-key affair and it won’t take much winning and he is one that does head into the race in decent form, so has to be the tentative selection.
Race 7 – 3.30 Cheltenham (Queen Mother Champion Chase)
Spectacular when getting the better of Jonbon in the Arkle at last season’s Cheltenham Festival, EL FABIOLO is back to try and claim the Queen Mother Champion Chase crown on Wednesday and he looks every bit the winner, if he can produce his best form. With Jonbon fluffing his lines in the Clarence House Chase at Cheltenham last time out, El Fabiolo is the proven class act in this division this season and having cruised to glory at the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown at Cheltenham last month he can follow up here. A heavy favourite, the Irish raider does have some jumping frailties, but providing he puts in a clean round here then he’s much the best!
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Sat 09 Mar 2024