Cheltenham Festival tips: Best bets for Day Two including the Queen Mother Champion Chase

THE second day of the Cheltenham Festival is mouthwatering, with four Grade 1’s on a star-studded card.

The feature race is the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase, while the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle and Close Brothers Novices’ Chase adding further spice to what is traditionally Ladies Day.

There will be empty grandstands at the Festival this time around

Race 1 – 1.20 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)

A fascinating race to start day two, with three very classy prospects locked together at the head of the betting.

Gaillard Du Mesnil was workmanlike when winning at Leopardstown in February but is clearly smart, while Bravemansgame has improved leaps and bounds this year and won the Challow in December.

But BOB OLINGER looks a top-class hurdler in the making. He has followed the same route as last year’s winning Envoi Allen and connections have been unusually bullish about his chances.

BET: Bob Olinger

Race 2 – 1.55 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)

All eyes will be on superstar novice chaser Monkfish.

He won last year’s Albert Bartlett and has swept all before him over fences this winter. He looks banker material, and he is priced accordingly.

THE BIG BREAKAWAY is a solid each-way alternative. He has been running well this winter, despite the poor form of the Colin Tizzard stable, and he should relish the drying ground at Cheltenham.

BET: The Big Breakaway (each-way)

Race 3 – 2.30 Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)

One of the most competitive handicaps of the week, and one in which BIRCHDALE could give Nicky Henderson a third straight win in the race.

He was eighth 12 months ago behind his stablemate Dame Du Compagnie having been held up and never able to land a blow. He warmed up for this with an encouraging run in a bumper and he is 2lb lower than last year.

There are any number of dangers, incuding Koshari who will appreciate the return to this trip having failed to figure over three miles most recently.

BET: Birchdale (each-way)

Race 4 – 3.05 Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1)

A clash to savour between Chacun Pour Soi and Altior in the two-mile chasing championship.

Chacun Pour Soi is another Mullins machine who has been unstoppable this season, while Altior is unbeaten at the Festival and is reported to be sharper than when second on his comeback at Kempton in December.

But the reigning champions POLITOLOGUE isn’t a bad each-way punt at double-figure odds. He was electric last year and he has been freshened up since finishing second to Ascot specialist First Flow in January.

BET: Politologue (each-way)

Race 5 – 3.40 Glenfarclas Chase (Cross Country)

EASYSLAND ran away with this race 12 months ago and he will be very hard to beat again.

He thumped Tiger Roll by 17 lengths last season, and though he was turned over here in November this has been his long-term target and there isn’t a great deal of depth among the opposition.

Tiger Roll is chasing his fifth win at the Festival, but he hasn’t looked the force of old this season. The main threat may come from Potters Corner.

BET: Easysland