Day Two of the Cheltenham Festival is here!
Park Life Sport’s very own Matt Daley’s picks for today – TAKE A LOOK
TODAYS RACES:
Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle – 13:30pm – WINNER: IMPAIRE ET PASSE
The 5/2 favourite was well rode by Jockey Paul Townend who stayed patiently behind the leading duo of Champ Kiely and Hermes Allen until the last few hurdles where he stormed through.
Champ Kiely set the pace early on at the front and then was joined by well backed Hermes Allen for the majority of the race.
Impaire Et Passe jumped economically throughout and waited patiently to make his move to the front of the pack.
Gaelic Warrior, rode by Paul Mullins, emerged late on to challenge the winner but Impaire Et Passe ultimately proved too much for the rest of the runners.
Winning Jockey Townend told ITV Racing:
“It was a dream ride, it always is coming here… he’s shown me that from the races he’s ran.
I suppose from the first day at home showed us a lot on the track and not so much at home,.. I was hoping I’d get that response when I gave him a slap I was certainly delighted with him when I felt him take off”.
Brown Advisory Novices Chase – 14:10pm – WINNER: THE REAL WHACKER
The Real Whacker nipped favourite Gerri Colombe to a dramatic photo finish victory, after leading the pack throughout the entire race.
The Real Whacker started strongest, setting the pace at the front, meanwhile well backed Sir Gerhard began with some very poor jumping and didn’t seem at pace.
The Winner remained at front for the entirety of the chase, constantly leading at one to two lengths up until the final bend.
Drama ensued at the end as favourite Gerri Colombe, ridden by Jordan Gainford, arrived late to try spoil The Real Whacker’s party.
It required a photo finish, but Sam Twiston-Davies and The Real Whacker was able to just about get over the finish line first to secure the victory.
Twiston-Davies talking to ITV Racing:
“It was a fantastic race, obviously it’s always a privilege to be asked to ride these races and I’m very lucky to ride in them.
There was great support in him and they said he was in good nick. He was absolutely spot on.
All the lads were saying well done but, we didn’t know for definite.. You never know until its done and I’m delighted.
Coral Cup – 14:50pm – WINNER: LANGER DAN
Langer Dan rode by Harry Skelton powered through on the final stretch to win the Coral Cup, narrowly edging An Epic Song and Camprond.
It was Rachel Blackmore aboard Watch Close House who started the strongest and held the lead for the majority of the race.
But waiting in the wings was Camprond, ridden by Aiden Coleman who powered through the pack to assert themselves in pole position.
As Camprond looked to stretch it’s legs on the final straight Langer Dan and An Epic Song both picked up the pace, setting up an exciting finish which Langer Dan pipped.
Elsewhere it was a disappointing performance from favourite HMS Seahorse who failed to live up to it’s reputation, struggling to a 14th placed finish.
Speaking to ITV, Harry Skelton said:
“He loves a race like this,” began Skelton.
“It’s a big field and Dan (Skelton) has trained him to perfection. We were discussing what race to go for with him, he’s been a bit unlucky with the conditions like this and I said to Dan, I wouldn’t mind running at the festival.
“There is so much that has went into this over the last few weeks, it hasn’t been easy.”
“The little horse deserves it.”
Queen Mother Champion Chase 15:30pm – WINNER: ENERGUMENE
Energumene made it back-to-back Champion Chase wins as the combination of Willie Mullins and Paul Townend proved too strong yet again.
The heavily backed favourite started comfortably as he remained firmly at the front of the pack, with Editeur Du Gite keeping relatively close to him.
Captain Guinness joined the party to apply some pressure to the leaders, with highly rated Edwardstone nowhere near the pace, sat near the back.
However, once final bend approached, Energumene seemed to get into another gear and breezed home with nobody close to him.
Jockey Townend speaking to ITV Racing:
“He was perfect everywhere, he got into a rhythm and jumped brilliant and I was there to get up the straight when I let go of him.”
“You don’t win championship races like that normally you know and I was able to take it all in.”
Cross Country Chase 16:10pm – WINNER: DELTA WORK
Delta Work showed why he was the heavily backed favourite with a classy performance that secured his Cross Country Chase victory.
It was Snow Leopardess who started off strongest, setting the pace going into the first jumps.
It was a strong ride from Jockey Keith Donoghue, who began to manoeuvre his way through the congested pack.
As the final jumps approached, Delta Work and Galvin began to separate themselves from the pack as previous leader Snow Leopardess slowly faded away.
The two horses were neck and neck at the final bend, but it was Delta work who came out on top to secure a Gordon Elliott 1-2.
Grand Annual Handicap Chase 16:50pm
Dinoblue – 7/2
Final Orders – 13/2
Andy Dusfresne – 15/2
Third Time Lucki – 8/1
Coeur Sublime – 12/1
Champion Bumper – 17:30pm
A Dream To Share – 4/1
Fact To File – 9/2
It’s For Me – 11/2
Fun Fun Fun – 5/1
Western Diego – 10/1
