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It was a captivating day at Prestbury Park with drama galore at the iconic racecourse with many short-priced favourites failing to find themselves in the Winners' Enclosure. Klassical Dream (6/1 SP) put in a superb performance under a brilliant ride by Ruby Walsh to put Ireland on the board at the first time of asking but he left punters in despair when falling at the last on board hot favourite Benie Des Dieux (SP 10/11) with the race seemingly at his mercy. Another big shock was in the Champion Hurdle as none of Buveur D'Air, Apple's Jade or Laurina even made the frame with 16/1 outsider Espoir D'Allen romping to victory for Mark Walsh and Gavin Cromwell.
We head into Ladies Day with the biggest name in National Hunt racing, Altior, taking centre-stage in the Betway Champion Chase and our betting experts at ODDSbible have run through the card after landing a big winner on Day 1 in the shape of A Plus Tard at a suggested price of 6/1 in the Close Brothers Novices' Handicap Chase.
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1.30pm G1 Ballymore Novices' Hurdle
An excellent race to kick things off on Wednesday with the highly-regarded Champ edging favouritism for messers Henderson, Geraghty & McManus. Unbeaten in his last four starts, the seven-year-old son of King's Theatre landed the G1 Challow Novices' Hurdle at Newbury in December in impressive fashion and he looks sure to go well in the green and gold hoops. His chief market rival is Gordon Elliott's Battleoverdoyen, who is unbeaten in three starts under rules and latterly plundered the G1 Lawlor's of Naas Novice Hurdle in January. He gives the impression that stamina is his forte and the fact he has won a point-to-point over three miles augurs well for this two miles and four furlong event. At an each-way price, Brewin'upastorm is also worth considering. Olly Murphy's charge was fourth to Champ in the Challow where the slow pace possibly didn't suit. However, he was running a mighty race when falling at the last in a trial for this event at Cheltenham in January and a bold bid is certainly expected. He will have to improve again to trouble Champ however and the fact he has already been beaten by that rival this term is notable, swaying us to back Nicky Henderson's inmate for the opener.
ODDSbible Tip - Champ 11/4
2.10pm G1 RSA Insurance Novices' Chase
A competitive look to this three-mile G1 event which has been a stepping stone for Cheltenham Gold Cup success for nine previous winners. Gordon Elliott has another strong contender here in Delta Work and the County Meath handler has been bullish about his chances in recent days. Unbeaten in three starts over fences, The six-year-old son of Network defeated subsequent G1 scorer Le Richebourg in G1 company at Fairyhouse in December, before following up in another G1 race at Leopardstown later the same month. That is very strong form and he has to be greatly respected following comments from Elliott that "it would take a good one to beat him." However, the home team also boasts strength in depth courtesy of Topofthegame for Paul Nicholls and Santini for Nicky Henderson. The pair chased home La Bague Au Roi in the G1 Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day and for many Santini was the horse to take out of the race, given the manner in which he stayed on. However, for most of the race, Topofthegame looked to have the measure of the eventual winner and with that in mind, there is a case to be made that he will also be suited by a stiffer, more galloping track. He just edges the vote in what looks a tough heat.
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ODDSbible Tip - Topofthegame 7/2
2.50pm G3 Coral Cup
A very tricky renewal of the two and a half-mile handicap, but perhaps Brio Conti is one to focus on. The eight-year-old son of Dom Alco went up 5lb for a 25/1 victory at Ascot, but connections seem sweet on his chances for this event. He previously disappointed at Sandown in February, but he is a lightly-raced performer from which there is surely more improvement possible.
ODDSbible Tip - Brio Conti 12/1 E/W
3.30pm G1 Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase
As long as he jumps round, this should be a fourth successive victory at the Cheltenham Festival for the mighty Altior. The nine-year-old son of High Chaparral would equal Big Buck's' record of 18 straight wins if he lands the two-mile chasing championship for the second year in a row and he has once again carried all before him this season. Nicky Henderson's superstar has delivered three devastating performances in the G1 Tingle Creek, the G2 Desert Orchid Chase and the G1 Clarence House Chase and he is the clear pick in this event.
His old adversary Min, who has been impressive in two starts this term will give him most to think about, but he has seven lengths to make up on last year's Betway Champion Chase and we should all just marvel and enjoy the greatness of Altior.
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ODDSbible Tip - Altior 2/5
4.10pm Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
Tiger Roll would join a select band of horses to win four times at the Cheltenham Festival and despite his short price, that looks the most likely scenario in the Cross Country event. An impressive winner of this event last year, Gordon Elliott's charge subsequently went on to land the Grand National at Aintree and that route again is the plan. The nine-year-old son of Authorized was a facile four-length winner of the G2 Boyne Hurdle at Navan in February and Elliott revealed he would improve significantly for that run, strengthening our support of the gelding. Tiger Roll is proven over these fences and he makes plenty of appeal to land this race once again.
ODDSbible Tip - Tiger Roll 11/10
4.50pm G3 Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
A fiendishly competitive renewal of the juvenile event, but Joseph O'Brien's Band Of Outlaws has looked smart in two wins at Limerick and Naas. An easy winner at the latter track in February, he runs in this event instead of the Triumph Hurdle on Friday and that could be telling for a trainer targeting his first Festival winner.
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ODDSbible Tip - Band Of Outlaws 6/1
5.30pm G1 Weatherbys Champion Bumper
A small but select field for a race which is always very informative. Blue Sari was a sensational winner on his debut for Willie Mullins at Gowran Park in January and he was subsequently snapped up by owner J P McManus following that impressive win. He is a rare four-year-old runner for the Closutton maestro in this race, but you can't help but be impressed with the manner of Envoi Allen's three victories this term. Whilst he may have looked workmanlike in a G2 event at Leopardstown last time out, he got the job done in game fashion and he will appreciate some cut in the ground. Trained by Gordon Elliott, he looks a very exciting horse for the future and he might be able to justify the hype in this.
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ODDSbible Tip - Envoi Allen 3/1
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