Day two of the 2020 Cheltenham Festival has nearly concluded now, with all of the bigger races completed for the day.
It was Women’s Day at the Racecourse and there were some massive shocks – none bigger than Tiger Roll managing just second – after being pipped to the line by Easysland, ridden by Jonathan Plouganou.
13:30 – Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle Race
The big favourite going into the first race of the day was Envoi Allen, and the horse ridden by Davy Russell, cruised to a very straightforward victory in the Novices’ Hurdle.
Going into the day, Envoi Allen was unbeaten in seven career starts and he made that eight when the Gordon Elliott-trained horse made ground on The Big Getaway and Easywork.
Envoi Allen eventually came up the hill and led by four and a quarter lengths clear of Easywork, who finished second and The Big Getaway came in third.
Envoi Allen following his victory in the first race of the day
14:10 – RSA Insurance Novices’ Steeple Chase
Barry Geraghty won his first race of the day, riding Champ in a thrilling race at the Novices’ Steeple Chase.
The Nicky Henderson-trained horse came from absolutely nowhere to overtake Minella Indo and Allaho with just a few yards of the race remaining.
It was a thrilling race and a breathtaking conclusion, with the heavily-backed horse receiving one of those famous Cheltenham roars as he came over the line in first.
14:50 – The Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle
It was another win for Geraghty in the next race as he rode a fantastic race on Dame De Compagnie.
There was competition from Black Tears, but the JP McManus-owned horse was too good and won by two lengths in the end.
It was McManus’ second victory of the day as Champ won in the race before as well.
15:30 – Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase
The big race of the day came at 15:30 and it was Defi Du Seuil who was heavy favourite beforehand.
However, it was a great ride from Politologue, who was priced at 6/1 second-favourite and Harry Skelton was ahead from the start of the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Geraghty was on for his third win in a row, with the 2/5 favourite finishing fourth in the end, and Dynamite Dollars and Bun Doran came in second and third, respectively.
16:10 – Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
Easysland was victorious in a race that was dominated in the build-up by Tiger Roll, who could only manage second.
It was a two-horse race between Easysland and Tiger Roll as they jumped over the last hurdle – but the former was two lengths ahead as they raced to the finish.
Tiger Roll was 8/11 favourite to win the race beforehand, but it was the 3/1 second-favourite, ridden by Jonathan Plouganou, who pipped the heavily-backed horse.
16:50 – Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
Mark Walsh was on board Aramax to win the penultimate race of day two at Cheltenham.
Night Edition and Saint D’Oroux came in second and third, respectively, with McManus having his fourth winner of the day come through.
Aramax and Night Edition had a battle from the last hurdle but the former held on for a great victory in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle.
17:30 – The Weatherbys Champion Bumper
Ferny Hollow won the last race of the day for the Weatherbys Champion Bumper, beating Appreciate It, who was the big favourite.
The Willie Mullins-trained horse came through with an excellent ride to overtake Appreciate It with a few yards remaining and wrap up day two of the Cheltenham Festival in style.
