DAY two of the Cheltenham Festival is all about speed as the Champion Chase takes centre stage.
The top two-mile contest is always an exhilarating affair and affords the proper pacers to put caution to the wind in an attempt to be crowned the fastest in the land.
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And this year’s renewal certainly has enough raw rapidity to appease any horse racing fanatic. Editeur Du Gite, Gentleman de Mee and last year’s winner Energumene are all likely pace angles, and all have bona fide chances of winning the race.
Throw in hold-up horses Edwardstone and Nube Negra, and we’re looking at one of the most intriguing Champion Chases of recent years.
Indeed, it’s difficult to choose between those at the top of the market. Edwardstone is perhaps the most obvious winner, having triumphed in last year’s Arkle before strolling home in Sandown’s Tingle Creek just before Christmas.
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Cheltenham day two race schedule
Ladies Day – Wednesday, March 15
- 13:30 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle
- 14:10 Brown Advisory Novices’ Steeple Chase
- 14:50 Coral Cup Hurdle
- 15:30 Queen Mother Champion Chase
- 16:10 Cross-Country Steeple Chase
- 16:50 Grand Annual Handicap Chase
- 17:30 Champion Bumper
He was just denied by Editeur Du Gite on Cheltenham Trials Day in January but was held up a long way off an unrelenting pace that stood up well – and despite hitting the front, was outbattled late on. Quick ground would be ideal for him and he’s almost certain to be played late by jockey Tom Cannon, who knows him like the back of his hand.
He'll have to be played at the right time, though, because Editeur Du Gite won’t go down without a scrap. This season’s revelation has gone from strength to strength, winning the Desert Orchid at Kempton and then the Clarence House at Cheltenham Festival.
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He’s as tough as teak and has an engine to boot, so you can be sure no-one is going to take his challenge lightly.
And what about last year’s winner, Energumene? He’d looked pretty untouchable coming into the Clarence House but disappointed badly, trailing in a well-beaten third.
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Trainer Willie Mullins blamed the white fences, but in reality, it was a performance that lacked any kind of x factor. He now has something to prove coming into what is arguably the toughest test of his career so far.
It’s not just the Champion Chase on the agenda on Wednesday, though – far from it. Paul Nicholls will seek his 47th Cheltenham Festival winner with Hermes Allen in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle, a race that’s brimming with class everywhere you turn.
Impair Et Passe has been put forward as a banker at almost every preview night, and Gaelic Warrior and Good Land both bring rock-solid form credentials to the table.
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In the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase – a stepping stone for future Gold Cup contenders – it’ll take a good one to stop Gerri Colombe. Gordon Elliott’s dour stayer landed Grade 1 honours at Sandown earlier in the campaign and boasts very strong claims of following up. Sir Gerhard may make him work for it, though.
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And as ever, the form gurus should not be forgotten – they’ve got many tricky puzzles to try and solve. The Coral Cup, Grand Annual and Cross Country Chase will certainly take some figuring out, while the Champion Bumper is as competitive as ever.
Let’s not forget, though – Wednesday is all about the speedsters.
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