Cheltenham Day 2 Win Lucky 15 and Two Each-way Selections on Wednesday

 

1.20 Ballymore Novices Hurdle 

The first race of the Wednesday is the Ballymore Novices Hurdle which has cut up a lot over the last few weeks. I’ve been sweet on Bob Olinger (15/8 WIN NAP) for a while in this race albeit the value has completely gone, as he was as big as 11/2 a few weeks ago. Jamie Codd has described the Henry De Bromhead charge as god given certainty for this race and it’s hard to shy away from such a glowing endorsement from the top amateur. 

The selection has excelled over 2m4f winning both starts this season over the trip and only found the talented Ferny Hollow too good over the shorter trip of 2m at Gowran in November. The main danger for me is obviously Bravemansgame who has been described as the new Denman and is evidently a chaser in the making. The talented Willie Mullins Gaillard Du Mesnil also lines up here although I do have question marks about the strength of his form. 

2.30 Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle  

The next race is the Coral Cup which is always a competitive handicap contested over 2m 5f and this appears to be a very tricky renewal. I could easily make a case for the majority of the field here although I have always been very keen on Koshari since his last run in early January.

I am going to side with Koshari (8/1 WIN) who returned after 18 months off the track to win at Cork in January and was really unlucky last time out after making an early mistake and could never get back on terms with the leading pack. I suspect Willie Mullins has targeted this horse at a Cheltenham Handicap and the sixth placed finish last time out has not harmed his Handicap Mark.  

Guard Your Dreams (12/1 E/W) is my Each Way play here who was held up at the rear of the field last time out in the Betfair Hurdle in what can only be described as a strange ride from Sam the Twiston-Davies. The horse stayed on like an absolute train and one can only suspect the Cheltenham hill and the extended trip will suit this horse down to the ground. 

The Nigel Twiston-Davies charge is ground versatile and has won three of his last five starts and I suspect the team have always had this race in mind.

4.15 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup 

The next race is the Grand Annual which is a fiercely contested handicap chase contested over 2m in which there is plenty of front runners. A horse who me and Henry have backed off a cliff is Ibleo who is edging up the weights and does absolutely nothing in front so I will be siding against the Venetia Williams charge here.

The one I fancy to land the spoils here is Embittered (6/1 WIN NB) who ran a cracker here last season in the County Hurdle last season behind Saint Roi. The Joseph O’Brien charge made the talented Andy Dufrense work hard for a win over at Navan in December and I feel this is some of the best form on paper coming into this race. Subsequently, embittered has filled the places again behind the Energumene who was tipped to give Shiskin a ran for his money in the Arkle before being pulled through injury. Let’s hope for a bold showing here from one the market principles. 

My Each Way selection here is Sky Pirate (9/1 E/W) who has thrived by being stepped down in trip this year after starting the season over the longer trips of 2m 3f & 2m 4f respectively. The horse did not disgrace himself in the Kingmaker last time out at Warwick finishing second the talented Allmankind. 

The Jonjo O’Neil trained 8-year-old has rocketed up the weights since the turn of the year and does indeed face a stiff task to win off 11-6 today although with a course and distance win under his belt we can expect a massive run.

4.50 Weatherbys Champion Bumper  

The final race on Day 2 of the Festival is the Champion Bumper in which Willie Mullins has the two of the market principles. This is typically a race where the form line is minimal and there is not a lot to go off in order to back any particular horse with confidence.

Kilcruit absolutely hosed up last time out at the Dublin Racing Festival disposing of some useful sorts although I am opposing him with Sir Gerhard (9/4 WIN). The now Willie Mullins charge has won his only two career outings so far and gives the impression there is plenty more under the bonnet. I’m hoping the recent change of yards has had no ill effect on the Cheveley Park Stud owned 6-year-old. 

Yesterday’s performance of Ballyadam would suggest it has been a smooth transition for the formerly trained Gordon Elliot horses albeit for a mistake down the back he would have gone a lot closer in the Supreme. 

Win Lucky 15 Tip

1.20pm – Bob Olinger

2.30pm – Koshari

4.15pm – Embittered

4.50pm – Sir Gerhard

 

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