Cheltenham Festival tips: Templegate’s best bets for the Champion Chase and the rest of day 2 of the Festival

CHELTENHAM WEDNESDAY

1.30

GET ready for Battle in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle. BATTLEOVERDOYEN looks a right good prospect. He’s going to come into his own when sent chasing but that’s not unusual for winners of this prize.

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Everything he has done so far has been good. The form of his Irish point-to-point win worked out well as did his Punchestown bumper success.

He came right away to hit the target on his hurdles debut on easy ground in December and then had little trouble following up by beating Sams Profile in a Naas Grade 1 when upped to 2m4f the following month.

His jumping is safe – if a little too safe on occasions – and he clearly has the right mix of speed and stamina for a race like this.

Gordon Elliott won this race 12 months ago with Samcro. Battleoverdoyen has not been hyped up like his stablemate was but he does look a really smart novice.

Champ is the obvious danger. He completed a four-timer when landing the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle at Newbury over Christmas.

That form hasn’t turned out to be much cop and, for some strange reason, winners of the Challow have a rancid record in this race.

Those negatives don’t bother me too much as he clearly has a monster engine. It’s just that he uses up far too much petrol in the early stages by pulling too hard. He’s got away with it so far but you can’t generally do things like that and expect to win at Cheltenham.

Elliott also runs another unbeaten youngster in Galvin. He carried a big weight to victory over 2m at Ayr last month. The step up in trip is sure suit him but his form is nowhere near as strong as that of his stablemate Battleoverdoyen.

City Island has impressed in rattling up a four-timer. He beat smart Dallas Des Pictons at Leopardstown on Boxing Day before cruising home at Naas. I’ve a feeling he could be one of the main threats.

Bright Forecast is a lovely prospect. He’ll like the step up to 2m4f but I’m not convinced he’s ready for a race like this.

Brewin’upastorm might have won at this track in January had he not fallen at the last hurdle. He had earlier been a close fourth behind Champ in the Challow but remains interesting.

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2.10

SANTINI looks the answer to a tricky RSA Chase. This race wrapped me in knots. I’m willing to trust Nicky Henderson’s skills to solve Santini’s recent foot problems.

Altior suffered something similar before winning last year’s Champion Chase so it’s something that can be solved without affecting his chances.

If he’d have had a clear run at this novices’ chase he would be favourite. He was third behind Kilbricken Storm in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at last year’s Festival before going to land the Grade 1 at Aintree.

It showed what Henderson thinks about this top prospect as he sent him for the Grade 2 John Francome Chase at Newbury. He didn’t disappoint against more experienced horses with some sound jumping to see off Rocky’s Treasure by four lengths.

His third behind La Bague Au Roi when favourite for the Kauto Star Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day might appear disappointing but the sharp track was all against this strong stayer. Today’s softer ground will also help him out.

Topofthegame finished just in front of my fancy when runner-up at Kempton. That form is decent and as a giant of a horse the track might not have been ideal for him either.

He did well to get close to Defi Du Seuil on his previous run at Exeter after fluffing the start but I don’t see him as a dour stayer like Santini.

Delta Work has impressed in three chase wins. He won the Pertemps Final at this meeting last year – the same race Presenting Percy, winner of this 12 months ago, had landed two years ago.

There’s no doubting his credentials but age might not be on his side as only three six-year-olds have won this race in the last 40 years.

On The Blind Side was among the best staying novice hurdles last season before missing the Festival after a setback. He bombed out when thrown into a Grade 2 for his chase debut but there was a lot to like about his smooth Doncaster win in January.

The form of that race is not strong but we know he has a bit of class. I wouldn’t rule out a decent show from Henderson’s second string.

Mister Malarky ground out victory in the Reynoldstown Chase at Ascot last month. That didn’t appear to be a great race but at least he’s the right type for today’s contest. You need something that will battle and he fits the bill even if he lacks a bit of class.

The ground is one of the concerns for Drovers Lane. He’s won five of his last seven starts and all those victories came on faster conditions. His improvement coincided with a switch from softer ground and I don’t think that’s a coincidence.

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2.50

THERE’S a Bally good bet in the Coral Cup. BALLYANDY was up there with the best novices a couple of years ago. He won the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury before going on the finish fourth behind Labaik in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

That came 12 months after he had won the Champion Bumper at the 2016 Festival so he clearly has no issues with the track.

He didn’t enjoy himself over fences so trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies switched him back to hurdles when fourth behind Erick Le Rouge at Kempton on Boxing Day.

That was a nice effort and he used that as a springboard to land a good handicap at Uttoxeter.

I’m not worried about his third behind Brio Conti at Ascot last month as the race wasn’t run to suit him. He still travelled like the best horse and this should set up kinder for him.

Uradel looks well weighted. He was runner-up in the Cesarewitch on the Flat in the autumn and caught the eye returned to hurdles over 2m at Leopardstown last month.

Willie Mullins’ hope clearly wants the step up to today’s trip so he has to be respected. The problem is he’s been well found in the market and his hold-up style will always need a little luck.

Brio Conti was only nudged up 5lbs for last month’s head success at Ascot. That wasn’t a bad effort and he was a useful novice a couple of years ago. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he went well.

Cracking Smart had good form behind useful Next Destination in novice graded races last season. His third behind stablemate Tiger Roll was a step back in the right direction but he looks to need all of 3m these days.

Last year’s Triumph Hurdle hero Farclas seems to have lost the plot. I can’t see things getting any easier in this hot handicap.

Erick Le Rouge landed a four-timer by toughing it out to get the better of a blanket finish at Kempton last month. The neck winning margin means he’s only gone up another 3lbs but this is more competitive.

Vision Des Flos makes his handicap debut off a tough mark having won the Grade 2 National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell last month.

3.30

GREATNESS awaits wonderful ALTIOR in the Betway Champion Chase. He can’t be opposed to notch up an astonishing 18^th victory since switching from bumpers to hurdles and looks likely to land his fourth straight Festival prize.

His seven-length defeat of Min in this race 12 months ago was one of his less impressive performances. He found the dreadful ground against him but he still toughed it out to come storming clear up the run-in in his usual manner.

Nicky Henderson’s star might lack the brilliance of stablemate Sprinter Sacre – twice winner of this race – but his style is no less effective.

He kicked off this season by seeing off Un De Sceaux in the Tingle Creek and his Desert Orchid Chase success at Kempton over Christmas was little more than an exercise canter.

He strangely jumped out to his left when beating Fox Norton at Ascot in January so going this way round again won’t do him any harm.

This exceptional horse won’t be an exceptional price but sometimes beauty beats betting.

For those who fancy a forecast last year’s runner-up Min looks the obvious answer. He was no match for Altior 12 months ago but he did see the rest off comfortably.

Willie Mullins’ hope was beaten a neck by Politologue in the Melling Chase at Aintree last spring but he shouldn’t have much trouble reversing that form. Paul Nicholls’ grey seems better over further these days and he’s never liked Cheltenham.

Sceau Royal has no worries on that score. He won the Schloer Chase over today’s course and distance in November and the dreadful ground was to blame for his last-of-four finish behind Altior in the Tingle Creek. A hurdles spin should have put him spot on.

God’s Own is the other one with place claims. He might have won this race two years ago but for a shuddering mistake two from home. His third place behind Altior in this last year came on unsuitably soft ground but it won’t be much quicker today.

4.10

PUT a Tiger in your bank for the Glanfarclas Chase. TIGER ROLL is an extraordinary horse and he looks most likely to win this race on the cross country course for the second year running.

Of course, he went on to win the Grand National a month later last season and he arrives at Cheltenham in much better form this time.

In fact, it could be argued his shock Boyne Hurdle victory over 2m5f at Navan last month was a personal best. Most people – me included – thought it was just a sighter for today’s race.

If he had finished out the places it wouldn’t have been a worry so to win it so impressively was quite remarkable.

He did finish behind Josies Orders and Fact Of The Matter over today’s course in November but that was a handicap. It was also his first run since grabbing Aintree glory and he’s weighted to comfortably reverse the form today.

Like Altior, he’s going for his fourth Festival victory. Also like the Champion chaser, he looks to complete the coveted quartet.

French raider Urgent De Gregaine finished second last year beaten just a couple of lengths. He likes it round here and should go well again at an each-way price.

Josies Orders won over Punchestown’s ‘banks’ course last month having swapped results with Fact Of The Matter at this track. The weights favour Enda Bolger’s hope this time but it’s unlikely he’s up to recapturing this crown he won three years ago.

Aintree specialist Ultragold – winner of the last two Topham Chases – has his Grand National prep race after running with credit in good handicaps. His lack of experience around this unique course is not a help but he clearly has no problem with the demands of the big Aintree fences so he should take to it.

Dual Grade 1 winner Tea For Two will interest some but he just doesn’t appear to be loving life. It’s hard to imagine this track will do much for his mood.

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4.50

STAY chilled out with FANFAN DU SEUIL in the Boodles Juvenile Hurdle. This is a race that often throws up a big-priced winner. Only one of the last seven horses successive in this devilishly tricky handicap went off shorter than 25-1.

My fancy has plenty in front of him in the betting but I’m not sure many of them should be.

Fanfan Du Seuil won on deep ground in France last spring before being snapped up to join Tom George. He was not far behind Triumph Hurdle fancy Quel Destin when he over jumped and crashed out two from home on his first start for his new stable.

That tumble clearly didn’t affect him as he picked himself up and easily beat Our Power at Exeter in November. It might have seemed a bit disappointing to go down to Nelson River over today’s course and distance the following month but the ground might have been a bit on the quick side.

He’s not been seen since and he is the type to have improved during the last three months. The likely decent pace should help ad he has more than a sporting chance at tasty odds.

Band Of Outlaws is sure to be popular for this. It’s surely only the strength of depth in Joseph O’Brien’s juveniles that he’s running in this instead of the Triumph.

He was no mug on the Flat but he’s taken his form to another level since switching to hurdles. The way he skipped clear of Maze Runner and Coko Beach at Naas last month was really impressive. It’s hard to see how he won’t go well but he is priced up accordingly.

Stablemate Fine Brunello had earlier finished behind Band Of Outlaws at Limerick over Christmas and he gave the form a boost when chasing home another smart O’Brien juvenile, Fakir D’Oudairies, at Cheltenham in January.

Gordon Elliott fires a three-pronged assault on this contest. He was smart on the Flat and has shown plenty of promise in three hurdles starts. If the cheekpieces sharpen him up he could easily play a part.

Ruby Walsh rides French import Ciel De Neige from three Willie Mullins horses but it’s impossible to know how good he is.

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5.30

ENVOI ALLEN holds the key to the Weatherbys Champion Bumper. He has looked all class since joining Gordon Elliott after the owners Cheveley Park Stud shelled out £400,000 to buy this impressive point-to-point winner.

A small slice of that cash was repaid pretty quickly when he made a winning bumper debut at Fairyhouse in December. My fancy added a Navan Listed prize a couple of weeks later before seeing off Meticulous in a Leopardstown Grade 2 in February when Abacadabras went through the rail close home when running a good race.

That experience counts in Envoi Allen’s favour and it looks like it will take something special to beat him.

Blue Sari could be that. He bolted up at Gowran on his debut but it’s hard to be too positive about the form.

It’s unusual for Willie Mullins to have just the one runner in a contest he’s won a record nine times.

Those are the reasons he deserves plenty of respect but the stats are against him. Cue Card was the only four-year-old to lift this prize since 1995 and his lack of experience is also a concern.

The same remark applies to once-raced Ask For Glory. He was very impressive on his debut at Chepstow when coming right away. That probably wasn’t the strongest of races but he could do no more than win as he did.

His trainer Paul Nicholls also runs dual Wincanton scorer Flic Ou Voyou. The form of his Boxing Day success has worked out nicely and he looks likely to run well.