After tipping three winners on day one of the Cheltenham Festival, David Mullins has a number of strong fancies for Wednesday at Prestbury Park.
Here's his thoughts on the seven races:
1.30pm Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle – Hermes Allen
I fancy Hermes Allen here. Impaire Et Passe has been all the talk in the preview night circuit but I would have liked to have seen him a do a bit more ahead of this. I think the soft ground will suit Paul Nicholls’ runner who has been excellent so far and he could just be a class above them. Good Land for Barry Connell will surely appreciate the softer ground and has now drifted out to a good price. Hermes Allen is the pick though.
2.10pm Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase – Gerri Colombe
I think Gerri Colombe has to win here and is the correct favourite with the best betting sites. Sir Gerhard is a very good horse but I would have liked to have seen him prove himself over this 3m trip before today with his breeding and his jumping the last day wasn’t perfect. There are a lot of fences to be jumped in this and I just think Gerri Colombe ticks all the boxes for the Brown Advisory.
2.50pm Coral Cup Hurdle – Beacon Edge
I like Beacon Edge here, a previous Grade 1 winner and connections have booked Michael O’Sullivan for the ride a good while ago so they obviously are keen on his chances and he will take off a valuable few pounds with his claim. It’s a very hard race to get a grip on and I’ll be hoping they have it right for an each-way bet here.
3.30pm Queen Mother Champion Chase – Edwardstone
I’ve been wracking my brains here in the big one as it’s a very open renewal of the Champion Chase and my original fancy Gentleman De Mee was ruled out earlier in the week. I haven’t been overly impressed with Energumene since his novice days, I always held him in such high regard so the bar was set very high but he did win the race last year and must have a chance again. If I had to pick a ride in the race it would be Edwardstone and I just give last year’s Arkle winner the edge here.
Don't know which horse to pick for the Gold Cup? Use our tool below to help you decide.
4.10pm – Cross Country Chase – Delta Work
It’s Delta Work for me in the Cross Country, especially the way the ground is shaping up. Delta Work has been there and done it before whilst Galvin would probably prefer better ground and although he has the higher rating I’m sticking with Delta Work to win again for Gordon Elliott.
4.50 Grand Annual Chase – Dads Lad
A very tough race for the Grand Annual. Dinoblue will be popular here and looks to have an attractive looking handicap mark for Willie Mullins and Luke Dempsey but I’m not too sure she is going to tough it out up the Cheltenham hill. I just worry she’s been a weak finisher in her races so far. For that reason I’ll go with Dads Lad, also for Willie Mullins, who’s won around there over fences and looks a big price with the best betting sites for a horse that ticks as many boxes as he does.
5.30pm – Champion Bumper – Fact To File
The Champion Bumper is minefield and Patrick Mullins had lots to choose from with a remarkable 10 entries for the Willie Mullins team there. He has chosen Fact To File, and I agree with him, this is a proper horse and I can just see him being the safest bet for punters in the finale.
READ MORE:
Henry de Bromhead heads to Cheltenham Festival with different outlook following death of son Jack
Cheltenham Festival 2023: Ruby Walsh's A-Z guide for this year's meeting at Prestbury Park
Rachael Blackmore hungry for more success as Cheltenham edges closer
Cheltenham Festival Quiz: Test your knowledge of the famous meeting
