The Intelligent Punter's Guide to the 2023 Cheltenham Festival (Day 2)

Neil Clark After a great day 1 at the Cheltenham Festival for our Intelligent Punter's Guide it's time to turn our attention to the action on Day 2. 1.30 The Ballymore Willie Mullins has won this five times, including last year, while Gordon Elliott has bagged two of the last five runnings. Mullins saddles four of the 10 runners, and having won it with the favourite last year who was unbeaten, could well do so again courtesy of Impaire et Passe who looked very good when landing a Grade 2 at Punchestown in January. Having won yesterday's opener with Marine Nationale the Connell/O'Sullivan combo's Good Land has to be respected and put on the each-way shortlist. 2.10 The Brown Advisory (aka 'The RSA') Gerri Colombe, unbeaten in seven races under Rules looks a worthy favourite but Sir Gerhard, who won the Ballymore on this day a year ago could be a big threat. At 6-1 CD winner The Real Whacker, who also had a Gold Cup entry, makes definite each-way appeal. 2.50 The Coral Cup. It looks impossible with 26 runners going to post but we've done very well in this down the years and hopefully again this year. You need to have three or four horses in your portfolio for this and among those who might reward each-way support are HMS Seahorse (a good fourth in the Fred Winter at the Festival last year), and Captain Conboy who's been well backed. Messrs Henderson and Elliott have an excellent record in this so it's probably wise to include at least one of their runners in your 'team' . Hendo's Call Me Lord is 50-1 but is a course winner while the unexposed Riaan (28-1) might be Elliott's best value entrant. 3.30 The Champion Chase It's the battle of the 'Es' with Editeur Du Gite, Edwardstone and Energumene (last year's winner) the leading contenders. You could make a very good case for all three, but marginal preference is for last year's Arkle winner Edwardstone based on how the race is likely to be run (yesterday on the soft going it suited those horses produced late). 4.10 The Cross Country Gordon Elliott is the go-to man in this having been responsible for five of the last six winners and he can strike again courtesy of last year's winner Delta Work, who was easily the best horse at the wieghts in the CD handicap in January. At 66-1 Elliott's Mortal might be worth a small each-way interest too as he's run quite well on two previous tries over CD and could stay on for a place. 4.50 The Grand Annual Dads Lad won over CD at the October meeting after running in the Greatwood Hurdle in November was put away for this presumably to protect his mark over fences. He has to go on the each-way shortlist, along with last year's winner Global Citizen and Final Orders, who has been in tremendous form in Ireland. If you have enjoyed reading this and made some money with my tips yesterday, then all donations gratefully received!