CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2016 -- DAY TWO WEDNESDAY (CHAMPION CHASE DAY)

DODGING BULLETS LAST YEARS CHAMPION CHASE WINNER

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL – WEDNESDAY MARCH 16th 2016
1.30pm 2m 110yds Supreme Novices Hurdle	Neptune Investments Novices Hurdle  And we’re off…for day two.  The opening novice hurdle see's Willie Mullins with a very strong hand as he saddles just over a third of the field here, and his YORKHILL looks the pick with Ruby Walsh riding.  At a big price I will also look to follow VIGIL (25/1 ew) for Dermot Weld.  Result --  1st : YORKHILL 3/1
2.10pm 3m RSA Chase	Royal Sun Alliance Chase Almost a surprise to find a Grade 1 race without a Willie Mullins fav, but here we have just that, MORE OF THAT and NO MORE HEROES make up the majority of the market and are tough to split.  Personally going to oppose both and try VYTA DU ROC instead for Nicky Henderson.  Result -- 1st : BLACKLION 8/1
2.50pm 2m 5f Coral Cup Hurdle	Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle A massive field of 26 runners here so good luck, I will have to be on BROTHER TEDD for old times sake but ones with a real chance are BLOOD COTIL for Willie Mullins and POLITOLOGUE for Paul Nicholls.  But with such a huge field everyone is going to need a bit of luck in running I feel.  Result -- 1st : DIAMOND KING 12/1
3.30pm 2m  Champion Chase	Queen Mother Champion Chase Today's feature event the Queen Mum Champion Chase has last years winner Dodging Bullets back to defend his title and will have to be on tip top form as there are multiple former winners here in opposition.  Sire de Grugy, Sprinter Sacre have come back to something near their best but all of these are going to surely struggle to reel in UN DE SCEAUX if he stands up.  While I expect the odds on fav to win, if he's got a weakness then I hope that one of Dodging Bullets or Special Tiara can capitalize.  Result -- 1st : SPRINTER SACRE 5/1
4.10pm 3m 7f XC Chase	Cross Country Steeple Chase (3m 7f) Many regular faces here over this unique course, a real test of jockey and horse and ANY CURRENCY is a standing dish and should be backed in the place markets at the least.  (YES WINNER 11/1) Of the rest nothing really appeals and they are in the main getting on a bit but perhaps a case can be made for BLESS THE WINGS who has a rider capable of going well around here and at 25/1 worth a punt win/place. (3rd 33/1) Result -- 1st : ANY CURRENCY 11/1
4.50pm 2m Juvenile Handicap Hurdle	Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (2m) 22 runners, it's not getting any easier.  Our two against the field will be JALEO who has been well touted up by his trainer for this, and VOIX DU REVE for the team that can do little wrong this week. Wide open contest so best of luck in running  Result -- 1st : DIEGO DU CHARMIL 13/2
5.30pm 2m Champion Bumper	Weatherbys Champion Bumper (2m) A race that has been dominated by the Irish trainers which is no real surprise when the likes of Willie Mullins saddles a near third of the entire field. (7 from 24 declared) His best seems to be AUGUSTA KATE and does receive a 7lb weight allowance too.  Of the home group it's BALLYANDY and HIGH BRIDGE that should give us a good run for our money. Result -- 1st : BALLYANDY 5/1 ENJOY YOUR CHELTENHAM EXPERIENCE

Results will appear during the afternoon and Thursday's card will be  available soon.