Three big talking points…
1. Can Bacardys make it Willie Wednesday? Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh’s horses have run well so far at Cheltenham, just not well enough to claim a winner in any of the Grade 1s.
They’ve a real chance to get off the mark in the Neptune (1.30pm) on Wednesday with the strongly fancied Bacardys (10/3).
He goes into the race as second-favourite to Neon Wolf (7/4), but the form line isn’t great, beating Bunk Off Early — who was very disappointing on Tuesday — last time out.
Mullins has won the last two of the last three of these but will also have to be wary of Brelade (20/1) with Jack Kennedy on board as the each-way danger at 20/1.
2. Bite early, bite often: Given the form that Nicky Henderson’s yard was in on Day One, it’s likely that Might Bite (10/3) will just get shorter and shorter the closer we get to the off in the RSA Chase (2.10pm).
However, those of you looking elsewhere could do worse than Alpha Des Obeaux (9/2) for Mouse Morris and Gigginstown House Stud. Second only to the brilliant Thistlecrack in the World Hurdle last year, he has a few head-scratching defeats to his name but has proven course pedigree.
Bellshill (7/1) would be much shorter if it wasn’t for some iffy jumping including a fall in the Flogas Chase last month. If he gets around, he could well be your winner.
3. Douvan is the man: At 1/4 he’s only for the likes of those mad eejits who bet £400,000 to win £100,000 but this festival has been crying out for a ‘pure class’ performance — Altior was far from convincing in the Arkle — and Rich Ricci’s seven-year-old is just the horse to provide it in the Queen Mother Champion Chase (3.30pm).
NAP of the day…
We won with this Tuesday at 5/1 and we’re siding with Cause of Causes (4/1) over Cantlow in what should be an epic head-to-head in the Cross Country Chase (4.10pm). Our next best is Someday (8/1) in the Champion Bumper (5.30pm).
An each-way fancy…
Tombstone (4/1) is the favourite for the Coral Cup but we’re very much prepared to oppose Bryan Cooper’s mount. Instead, keep an eye on Kalondra (20/1) who has been improving all season and has three wins, a second, a third and a fifth in his last six.
Accumulator…
A fiver each-way on Kalondra, Cause of Causes and Douvan will return €703.50.
