Megan Nicholls Racing Preview: Cheltenham Festival Day Two Tips
WEDNESDAY RACING TIPS
Cheltenham 1.20 – Turners Novices’ Hurdle
I’m sticking with No Drama This End (4/1 fav).
He’s three from three over hurdles and he’s taken the Challow Hurdle route which worked for The New Lion last year.
Hopefully it proves successful again.
Cheltenham suits him really well and the fact they’ve moved the last hurdle back will play to his strengths as he’s got loads of stamina. That will be really needed.
It’s a really competitive race but I’m sticking with my dad’s horse.
Megan’s Tip: No Drama This End WIN
Cheltenham 2.00 – Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
This is a very open contest and I can’t say I fancy anything that strongly.
I do think Kitzbuhel (12/1) is overpriced, particularly if he can repeat what he did at Kempton over Christmas.
The form of that run has been boosted twice since and he also beat Kaid D’authie (5/1) prior to that, so he has the class to be competitive.
At Sandown last time it was all over pretty quickly, where he unseated his jockey, so I don’t really think we can read much into that run.
Willie Mullins has a strong hand in this – and you can make a claim for plenty – but Kitzbuhel looks the overpriced one to me.
I’m not sure three miles is what Romeo Coolio (4/1 fav) really wants; I think two-and-a-half will be more to his liking.
He’s clearly a classy sort but he’s got to prove he stays this far.
Megan’s Tip: Kitzbuhel EW
Cheltenham 2.40 – BetMGM Cup
It’s great BetMGM is sponsoring another race on Wednesday in the shape of the BetMGM Cup.
Like every running of this contest, it’s a seriously tricky puzzle to solve and they are paying six places each-way as a result.
I’ve come down on Iberico Lord (9/1), who won the Lanzarote Hurdle last time at Kempton.
While he’s up in the weights, he has loads of good runs in these big-field handicaps. Being able to jump and travel in these highly competitive handicaps with so many runners is important – that should stand him in really good stead here.
I’ve also got to back Ballyadam (18/1) because it seems pretty certain he’s going to run really well.
He always seems to pop up in these races and I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if he did again.
I would also give a good mention to The Yellow Clay (17/2). He’s carrying loads of weight on his back but this is a huge step down in class.
While he wasn’t great last time, he will find this much easier.
Megan’s Tip: Iberico Lord EW; Ballyadam EW
Cheltenham 3.20 – Glenfarclas Cross-Country Chase
Stumptown (11/4) is so good in this sphere and he’s my pick in the Cross-Country.
We haven’t seen him since winning the Velka Pardubicka but he loves this discipline and I fancy him to prove too classy, despite being five pounds higher than last year.
My each-way selection is another Gavin Cromwell-trained contender in the form of Vanillier (15/2).
He was third last year and won over the banks last time. He nearly took the wrong course last year so did very well to finish where he did; he could be a bit of a sneaky one.
Don’t forget, he was second in the Grand National a few years ago, too.
Megan’s Tip: Stumptown WIN; Vanillier EW
Cheltenham 4.00 – BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase
Majborough (4/5 fav) is the one to beat in the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase and I expect him to atone for his defeat in the Arkle.
The application of cheekpieces last time worked wonders and, if his jumping holds up again, he looks a very solid favourite.
As the betting suggests, L’eau Du Sud (4/1) is the one who is most likely to serve it up to him.
His win in the Shloer looks good form now and we know he likes Cheltenham.
He might not have the class of Majborough but he’s a very good horse in his own right – if the favourite doesn’t fire he will be able to pick up the pieces.
Megan’s Tip: Majborough WIN
Cheltenham 4.40 – Grand Annual
In the Grand Annual, I’ve sided with Vanderpoel (15/2) for Ben Pauling.
He’s been very good the last two times since returning to the minimum trip – he just seems to be on a bit of a roll.
This will be a new challenge for him with so many runners but he still looks ahead of the handicapper.
The each-way shout could be Calico (18/1).
He goes really well at Cheltenham, has had a very productive season and looks quite a big price considering both of those factors.
Megan’s Tip: Vanderpoel WIN; Calico EW
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Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation
