2022 Cheltenham Day 2 Preview and Tips – DS

by Dave Stevos | Mar 15, 2022

2022 Cheltenham Day 2 Preview and Tips

What an absolute train wreck Day 1 was. Our reverse forecast in the Supreme went awry and Bring On The Night missed out on a place in 4th. Magic Daze and Kiltealy Briggs did too much early on and both faded badly. Tommy’s Oscar pulled way too hard early and it looked like he didn’t appreciate the track. Indefatigable was still full of running when she fell but thankfully she came away unscathed. Prairie Dancer failed to fire and it was a day to forget. Let’s hope for better on Wednesday, check out our 2022 Cheltenham Day 2 tips below.

1.30 – Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)

There is rain forecast overnight so the ground will likely be a bit softer on Day 2. That won’t bother the odds on favourite here, Sir Gerhard. Willie Mullins’ charge dotted up at the Dublin Racing Festival last month (16f yld/sft) and he now steps up to 21f for the first time. Will he stay? Well, if his 24f point to point win is anything to go by, yes he will. He hammered Minella Drama by 12L in that Boulta race and that horse is no mug (now rated 147). The only slight concern is that he didn’t jump brilliantly last time. However, over this trip, he should find things a bit easier. The one to beat.

Given the form of the yard on Tuesday, I Am Maximus could represent a bit of e/w value here. Nicky Henderson’s charge has won two of his four starts under rules. His bumper win came at Cheltenham (16.5f sft) and he broke his maiden over timber at the second attempt at Newbury (16f gd/sft). That form isn’t overly strong but he showed he was a Graded horse in the making in a Listed Novice here behind Hillcrest in January (20.5f sft).

Outstayed

He simply got outstayed by the winner late on but he was only 2L behind the winner off level weights. Hillcrest has since hacked up in a G2 and is only 3/1 for the Albert Bartlett. Unlike the favourite he is actually proven at this distance under rules. While he is only rated 134, his 2L second to the now 148 rated Hillcrest suggests he is better than that. He hasn’t much to find with the likes of Three Stripe Life and Stage Star and if Sir Gerhard delivers, hopefully he can fight it out for Journey With Me for place money. At odds of 20/1, I Am Maximus is the e/w selection.

2022 Cheltenham Day 2 Tips: I Am Maximus e/w @ 20/1

2.10 – Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)

This is one of the most interesting races of the week. Three of the UK’s most promising novice chasers lock horns and at first glance, they look to hold all the aces. Of the Irish challengers, Beacon Edge is the one that makes most appeal at double figure odds. However, Bravemansgame, Ahoy Senor and L’Homme Presse will all fancy their chances.

Bravemansgame is the favourite and he is on a five timer. He hasn’t tasted defeat since Ahoy Senor beat him at Aintree last season (24f gd/sft). He reversed that form in style at Kempton (24f sft) over Xmas. Ahoy Senor’s jumping fell apart as the Nicholls’ horse applied the pressure and he trailed in 7L behind in 2nd. I can’t see Lucinda Russell’s horse turning that form around but they both may have to give best to L’Homme Presse, if he gets the trip that is.

Stamina worries

This horse has impressed me more than any other this season. He is great jumper, he travels through his races powerfully and he proved he was a Grade 1 animal when hacking up by 21L in Scilly Isles at Sandown last time out. All four of his chase wins have come over 20/21f and I was very surprised that Williams decided to step him up in trip. She was obviously afraid of Bob Olinger and Galopin Des Champs but if it was up to me, I wouldn’t have changed a winning formula.

The issue for me is that he is not bred to stay 3 miles. His sire, Diamond Boy, hasn’t exactly produced a heap of 24f winners and L’Homme Presse’s dam’s only win came at 20f. His dam’s half-brother won over 7f on the level and 16f over hurdles so I’m very worried about the trip. L’Homme Presse’s natural ability might see him through but at 4/1, I am going to leave him alone.

Stamina To Come To Fore

With rain forecast, this could turn into a proper test on softish ground. Dusart, Threeunderthrufive, Ahoy Senor, Bravemansgame and L’Homme Presse are all prominent racers. This could set up for a closer if they all get racing too early. Sean Flanagan is an excellent jockey on hold up types and I think back on this nicer ground, Beacon Edge can outrun his odds of 14/1.

He ran a cracker in the Stayers’ Hurdle over 24f last season, another race that was run at a good clip. His win over Gabynako received a boost in the Arkle too on Tuesday. While Farouk D’Alene beat him on heavy last time, I think Noel Meade’s horse is capable of turning that form around. With 4 places on offer, Beacon Edge is the e/w selection at odds of 14/1.

2022 Cheltenham Day 2 Tips: Beacon Edge e/w @ 14/1 nap (4 Places)

2.50 – Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)

I have already put up Tronador for this race and you can read why here. Hopefully there isn’t too much rain for him overnight. Sam Ewing is a quality claimer and if this horse is fully wound up and ready to go he has the ability to go close. If there is a spill of rain, one horse that won’t mind at all is Call Me Lord.

Trained by in form Nicky Henderson, this horse is extremely well handicapped on his best form. It’s been a while since we have seen that form but it could be that connections were lining him up for a handicap. He reappeared in December with a moderate run over fences and then he was pulled up at Hereford in January in another chase. Just two weeks later he reverted to hurdles in the Lanzarote and he was a huge eyecatcher.

James Bowen was on board and it looked to me like he was very easy on him. Only when the leaders had flown did he really get stuck in and in the closing stages, Call Me Lord flew home. He may have been beat 7L in 3rd but he gave the impression that he would be suited by a stiffer finish (and a more aggressive ride). The owner’s retained rider is back on board and this Grade 2 course winner will hopefully be trying for his life. Off a mark of 142, Call Me Lord can hopefully stay on late and hit the frame.

2022 Cheltenham Day 2 Tips: Tronador already advised e/w @ 25/1; Call Me Lord e/w @ 35/1 (7 places)

3.30 – Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1)

Shishkin is the horse that everyone at Cheltenham will want to see on Wednesday. The 2021 Arkle winner is a Champion Chaser in waiting. If he runs to form, he’ll win. Last time at Ascot Energumene had everything in his favour and he still couldn’t beat a slightly below par Shishkin. Mullins also has Chacun Pour Soi in this race but he has it to prove after failing to win a far weaker renewal of this contest last season. His travel issues are well documented and on all the available evidence, he can’t be trusted to produce his best at this track.

Energumene has never run at Cheltenham before and that is another negative for him. The one I am interested in from an each way perspective is Nube Negra. This horse was arguably unlucky in last year’s renewal. He was beat just 0.5L behind Put The Kettle on after stumbling and suffering interference at the worst possible moment.

He loves this track and he produced one of his best efforts when slamming Politologue here in November. This fella has been written off because of his dreadful run last time out at Sandown behind Greanteen. However, I am willing to put a line through that. Dan Skelton’s charge has only finished out of the first three once in five starts here (23821) and he will have been laid out for this race. I think Shishkin wins but there is place money up for grabs and at 14/1, Nube Negra is the e/w pick.

2022 Cheltenham Day 2 Tips: Nube Negra e/w @ 14/1

4.10 – X-Country Chase (Class 2)

I like watching this race but for me, it is not usually a betting heat. I’m going to make an exception this year though. The racing world will be cheering on Tiger Roll as he bids to follow up last year’s facile victory. He loves this course and if he is anywhere near his best, he should be winning this. However, he is a 12yo now and he has a lot of miles on the clock so I wouldn’t be lumping too much money on.

Diesel D’Allier is another horse that loves this C&D and he won a handicap off 137 here in December. This race has been his target ever since and his trainer, Richard Bandey, has his horses in seriously good form. This 9yo son of Kap Rock was 4th in this race last season and his overall C&D form figures are 1431. On ratings he has it to do at the weights but course form counts for a lot here. With 4 places on offer, Diesel D’Allier is worth chancing e/w at odds of 16/1.

2022 Cheltenham Day 2 Tips: Diesel D’Allier e/w @ 16/1 (4 Places)

4.50 – Grand Annual Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

Capuccimix was my pick for this race last week and I am delighted that Jordan Gainford rides. He got a brilliant tune out of this fella when he won at Killarney and hopefully he can repeat the dose. I am a shade worried about the forecast rain for him but hopefully the track will have dried out by the time this race starts. Editeur De Gite’s front running style should enable him to sit just behind the pace and once Gainford doesn’t go too early, hopefully Capuccimix can hit the frame.

Paul Nicholls’ has won this race four times since the turn of the century, most recently in 2016 and 2018. His horses are usually worth a second look and Il Ridoto is a fascinating contender. This 5yo novice has bags of potential. He shaped ok under forceful tactics on his UK debut at Newton Abbott but he looked a different horse when ridden with more restraint at Newbury.

Held Up

That day Harry Cobden held him up in midfield and he was pulling double as they turned for home. A mistake two out didn’t check his momentum and he surged clear to win by 6L after a great leap at the last. Numitor finished 2nd off 130 and he is now rated 140 after a 20L win at Doncaster. Frero Banbou was 8L behind running off 133. He re-opposes today off 141 after winning a valuable race at Lingfield.

Il Ridoto was getting 10lbs from Frero Banbou due to his 4yo allowance but I think he could have given him 10lbs such was the manner of his victory. He is conceding 2lbs to the Williams horse now but I think he is up to the task. Last time out Il Ridoto went from the front on heavy ground but surely more patient tactics will be utilised today. If they are and he reproduces what he did at Newbury, Il Ridoto could go very close at odds of 20/1.

2022 Cheltenham Day 2 Tips: Il Ridoto e/w @ 20/1 nb (6 places); Capuccimix already advised @ 33/1

5.30 – Champion Bumper (Grade 1)

This is not a race that I enjoy betting on. The Irish trainers usually hold all the aces and Facile Vega is a red hot fav for Mullins. Milton Harris is expecting a good run from Rosy Redrum so she might be worth a fiver e/w at 33/1. However, I have no real opinion on this heat and I’ll be sitting it out. No bet.