CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2017 -- DAY TWO WEDNESDAY (CHAMPION CHASE DAY)

2016 CHAMPION CHASE WINNER -- SPRINTER SACRE

Congratulations to all the connections of Buveur D'air the 2017 Champion Hurdle winner yesterday, as we move onto Day Two the feature race will be the Champion Chase which was superbly won last season by the retired Sprinter Sacre. 

Enjoy your day.

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL – WEDNESDAY MARCH 15TH 2017
1.30pm 2m 110yds Supreme Novices Hurdle	Neptune Investments Novices Hurdle  And we’re off…for day two.  Our opening contest for day two is a novices hurdle where the in form BACARDYS can score for the Willie Mullins / Ruby Walsh team. Won his last two and would be giving weight to most of these in a handicap.  Another Irish raider could be worth a look in the place market -- SHATTERED LOVE the connections are well known for having a good one ready for this event.  Result --  1st : Willoughby Court 14/1.
2.10pm 3m RSA Chase	Royal Sun Alliance Chase Sometimes dubbed the Novices Gold Cup we have a strong field of 12 ready to face the starter.  BELLSHILL will be popular given his connections but has to improve his jumping to be in contention. Nicky Henderson runs WHISPER and should have the experience to cope with this trip so is the choice today in a tough field.   Result -- 1st : Might Bite 7/2F.
2.50pm 2m 5f Coral Cup Hurdle	Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle Just the 26 declared for the big handicap of the day, and AUTOMATED should be a good choice with the form of the Elliott yard who have an excellent record in this too.  At big odds it's worth a look at MISTER MIYAGI who has run some of his best races here and looks decent at 20/1+ Result -- 1st: Supasundae 16/1.
3.30pm 2m  Champion Chase	Queen Mother Champion Chase This would appear to be at the mercy of DOUVAN who bar a fall will be the banker of the meeting though odds of about 1/4 are far too short to tempt me to put the mortgage on.  FOX NORTON looks the pick of the remainder for the inform Tizzard yard but they all need Douvan to fall to have a hope so places the best option.  Result -- 1st : Special Tiara 11/1.
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 despite his advancing years.  Enda Bolger knows how to win these sorts of races and has an interesting outsider in COLOUR SQUADRON at 25/1 but be careful as owner JP McManus has FIVE in his Green / Gold colours.  Result -- 1st: Cause Of Causes 4/1.
4.50pm 2m Juvenile Handicap Hurdle	Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (2m) 22 runners, it's not getting any easier though earlier briefings and reports suggest that Paul Nicholls DOLOS should be ready for this challenge and his jockey has a good record with the limited number of rides he takes around here.  Nicky Henderson will always have a strong team and his DOMPERIGNON DU LYS is another to be taken seriously.  Result -- 1st: FLYING TIGER 33/1.
5.30pm 2m Champion Bumper	Weatherbys Champion Bumper (2m) A race that has been dominated by the Irish trainers though slightly surprised that this year Willie Mullins only has two runners in the field though CARTER MCKAY and NEXT DESTINATION will be strongly supported. IRISH ROE might not come from a massive stable but this unbeaten mare might be a lively outsider and did win around here in a big field so has that level of experience. Result -- 1st: FAYONAGH 7/1. ENJOY YOUR CHELTENHAM EXPERIENCE

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