Cheltenham Festival – Day Two Review

Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle

After an impressive start to the Cheltenham Festival, jockey Ruby Walsh and trainer Willie Mullins continued their prolific partnership as Yorkhill won the first race of the day. The 3-1 shot beat the favourite Yanworth into second place, while Its’afreebee, priced at 33-1 finished third.

RSA Chase

The second race of the day saw Blaklion emerge victorious. Although four horses were in with a chance of victory after the final jump, Blaklion pulled clear with Shaneshill, and eventually beat the Mullins trained horse into second place. 6-4 favourite More of That finished third.

Coral Cup

Diamond King won the Coral Cup, despite being priced at 12-1. Jockey Davy Russell successfully rose the horse to victory. Long House Hall, ridden by Harry Skelton, finished second, while Ubak, ridden by Joshua Moore, finished third.

Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase

Nicky Henderson finally got one over on Willie Mullins when his horse, Sprinter Sacre, beat the Mullins trained Un De Sceaux into second place. Ruby Walsh has been in excellent form so far at the festival, but it was Nico de Boinville who was the winning jockey this time out. Third place went to Special Tiara, which was ridden by Noel Fehily. Paddy Brennan finished fourth on God’s Own, a 20-1 shot.

Glenfarclas Chase

Jockey Aiden Coleman enjoyed his first win of the festival on board Any Currency. The Irish horse held off the favourite, Josies Orders, to secure a victory for local trainer Martin Keighley. Bless The Wings came third as the race was dominated by Irish horses. The top six horses in the race all came from Ireland.

Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle

Trainer Paul Nicholls saw his two horses in the race come first and second, as jockey Sam Twiston-Davies enjoyed a win on board 13-2 shot Diego Du Charmil. Romain De Senam was ridden into second place by Nick Scholfield. Coo Star Sivola, ridden by Lizzie Kelly came third, but favourite Jaleo, ridden by Aidan Coleman, finished in tenth place.

Weatherbys Champion Bumper

It was a family effort in the final race of the day as trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies and jockey Sam Twiston-Davies were victorious as Ballyandy beat Battleford into second place, via a photo finish. Mullins trained the horses that finished second, third and fourth. As well as training Battleford, he also worked with Bacardys and Castello Sforza, but was unable to secure another win at the festival.