DAY 2 – WEDNESDAY 13TH MARCH – THE QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE
The feature race on Day 2 is The Queen Mother Champion Chase and every race fan is looking forward to seeing if Willie Mullins Energumen can complete the double after defeating Shishkin last year.
The Champion Chase has been won by some absolute legends down the years, including dual winners like Master Minded, Sprinter Sacre and Altior.
And who could forget one of the modern-day greats Moscow Flyer.
- 13:30 The Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle Race (Grade 1)
- 14:10 The Brown Advisory Novices’ Steeple Chase (Grade 1)
- 14:50 The Coral Cup Hurdle (A Handicap Hurdle Race) (Premier Handicap)
- 15:30 The Betway Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase (Grade 1)
- 16:10 The Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeple Chase
- 16:50 The Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Steeple Chase Challenge Cup (Premier Handicap)
- 17:30 The Weatherbys Champion Bumper (A Standard Open NH Flat Race) (Grade 1)
But, that’s enough of a ride down memory lane, let’s get down to the serious business of this Cheltenham Festival Preview Day 2 edition.
13:30 THE BARING BINGHAM Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
The first race of the day is the Ballymore Novice Hurdle run over 2 miles and 5 furlongs, and you will have seen from our full 2024 Cheltenham Festival betting preview page, that we earmarked three horses at the end of January that were well fancied in the betting.
But now we want to focus on the final declarations and look at the field in more detail, so hopefully our expert Richard Smith can pick through the form and point you in the right direction of a likely winner of the 2024 Baring Bingham Novices Hurdle.
And with seven races each day, you might want to look at an each-way bet for fun. We’ll often see an odds-on favourite each day so if we leave that race out, it leaves us six races. Perfect for a Heinz or a Lucky 63.
- Back a winner at 4/1 or bigger and get a free bet to the same stake on the next feature race
- Back a loser at 4/1 or bigger on a feature race and get your stake returned
- 4/1 Feature race promo available on win and each-way bets
£5
UK Gambling Commission
31/12/2023
Place a Win or Each Way single bet at odds of 4/1 or more on a bet365 Feature Race. If your first single bet on that race wins, place a bet up to the same stake (up to £50*) on the next bet365 Feature Race. If the bet loses we will refund your stake (up to £50*). If the bet also wins at odds of 4/1 or more, you qualify for a bet on the next bet365 Feature Race. *or currency equivalent Significant Terms and Conditions This offer is only available to new and eligible customers. This offer applies to the FIRST single bet placed by a customer on each bet365 Feature Race. This offer will not apply where a stake has been fully Cashed Out. Where a stake has been partially Cashed Out, any refund amount or subsequent qualifying bet amount will be equal to the remaining active stake. If a qualifying bet is edited using our Edit Bet feature, any refund amount will be equal to the new stake and not the original stake. Where a qualifying bet is changed using Edit Bet, no refund will be given and the offer will no longer apply. Where more than one selection in the same race is placed on the same bet slip, the first selection is deemed to be the one which is highest on the bet slip. Offer applies to bets placed on Win and Each Way Fixed Odds markets (including where a Bet Boost is applied) and Enhanced Place Terms markets only. All other markets, including adjusted place terms (Each Way Extra), Ante-Post bets and Tote/Pari-Mutuel/Colossus (bets and dividends), are excluded from this offer. This offer is available on selected races as specified in the table above. Bets must be placed in the usual way and can be paid for from either your Withdrawable Balance or Bet Credits. Bets placed from your Withdrawable Balance will be refunded to your Withdrawable Balance and bets placed using Bet Credits will be refunded as Bet Credits.
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Bet365 Group Ltd / Hillside (New Media) Ltd
2000
Stoke-on-Trent
FORM PICK
After the win of Slade Steel on the opening day, it is clear that Ballyburn 2/5 is going to be an incredibly tough nut to crack. But the Mullins runner is sure to go off at prohibitive odds.
It could be a one-two for Mullins with the exciting Ile Atlantique 11/2 likely to go off second favourite
Our selection for this is an each-way play on JIMMY DU SEIUL 20/1 EW who won nicely enough last time and looks sure to appreciate the extra distance today
14:10 The Brown Advisory Novices’ STEEPLE Chase (Grade 1)
The second race of the day is one of the big chasing events for the staying novice chasers and is run over 3 miles and 1/2 furlong. This was the race formerly known as the Royal And Sun Alliance Chase. In our full four-day 2024 Cheltenham Festival Preview page, we earmarked a few horses at the end of January that were well touted in the betting.
Once the final declarations are here, our expert Richard Smith will be going through each runner with a fine tooth comb to try and pick out the likely winner or value each way bet.
If you like to bet based on trends then with seven races to choose from, it gives us the chance to place some of our single bets into different types of combo bets. Each day there is usually a very short price favourite, so we might skip that race and go for the other six.
So we could pick out six races, and go for a Heinz bet.
- Great promo giving you the option to get an increased price on your selection
- Great promo for backers of favourites who are more likely to win by bigger distances
£5
Malta Gaming Authority under license: MGA/CRP/121/2006-05
31/12/2023
Terms and Conditions Conversion rates When we convert currencies, we consider £10 to be equal to: €10 (euro) AU$20 (Australian dollar) CA$20 (Canadian dollar) CHf15 (Swiss franc) Kr80 (Danish krone) HK$115 (Hong Kong dollar) ¥1300 (Japanese yen) Kr120 (Swedish krona) S$20 (Singapore dollar) US$10 (US dollar) 1. General restrictions a. We expect you to be fair when you take part in promotions. We consider certain types of play to be unfair and to break these terms and conditions. These unfair types of play include the following. Using ‘minimal risk wagering patterns’ (that is, a set pattern of bets or stakes that unfairly minimises risks). Using more than one account in order to get more than the number of bonuses allowed for each customer. Sharing personalised promotions (that is, promotions only available to specific customers we offer them to) with others. This includes taking part in any personalised promotion forwarded to you by someone else when it was not intended for you. Taking part in a promotion that is not available in the country you live in. Colluding with other customers (that is, plotting with others to gain an unfair advantage). Using more than one account per person, per household or per IP address. b. If you take part in any play that we consider to be unfair, we may cancel any bonuses or promotions applied to your account, reclaim any bonus you have received as part of any promotion we have cancelled, and either: settle bets at the correct odds, not the bonus or promotion odds; void any free bets or bets funded by a bonus (that is, treat them as if they had never been placed); or remove any winnings relating to any bonus. 2. General conditions a. Regardless of anything else set out in these terms and conditions, you can withdraw funds from your main balance at any time, except where we must withhold the funds to meet our legal or regulatory obligations. b. You cannot take part in this promotion if we have previously banned you from taking part in promotions, or from betting or playing any games on our website. c. We can withhold or refuse to pay any winnings from a bonus if funds you paid into your main balance (including any amounts you have already used) are cancelled or denied by any payment service (for example, your card provider). d. We can change or cancel this promotion, or change these terms and conditions: without giving you notice, if the change or cancellation is needed because of any change in law or regulation; or by giving you notice beforehand, if the change or cancellation is for any other valid reason (for example, if there is a fault in the software or systems we use to provide this promotion, or we identify a mistake in this promotion or these terms and conditions). We can also award an equivalent bonus to the one referred to in this promotion. e. We will not be responsible for any technical, hardware or software failures, or any unavailable or lost network conditions which may result in incorrect information being displayed, or affect your ability to enter or take part in the promotion. If there is any dispute over your eligibility for the promotion, our decision will be final. f. Your use of our website, and your gaming or betting, is governed by our terms and conditions of using our website or telebetting service (the general terms). You must read the general terms and these terms and conditions before you take part in this promotion. If any of these terms and conditions conflict with the general terms, these terms and conditions will apply. g. These terms and conditions are governed by, and interpreted in line with, the laws of England and Wales. Any legal action in connection with these terms and conditions will be dealt with in the courts of England and Wales. h. This promotion is offered, managed and made available on our website (williamhill.com) by us, WHG (International) Limited.
https://sports.williamhill.com/
William Hill PLC
1934
William Hill Global PLC, Tagliaferro Business Centre, Level 7, High Street, Sliema SLM 1549, Malta
FORM PICK
Next Up is the Brown Advisory and its another Mullins hotpot in Fact To File 4/5 who will be expected to bring up a quick fire double for the Mullins camp.
However, this will not be easy as he has to overcome the form of his first run of the season when beaten by AMERICAN MIKE 11/1 EW, first time up, and this one showed he is in top nick when winning last time, and he looks value here against the jolly.
14:50 The Coral Cup Hurdle (A Handicap Hurdle Race) (Premier Handicap)
Race three on Day 2 sees the first big handicap of the day and it is one of the most competitive races of the week with 24+ runners taking to the 2-mile 5-furlong start. A race that is always run at a very fast pace, and if you looked at our 2024 Cheltenham Festival Preview page, you will have seen that we pinpointed three horses at the end of January that were already being well supported in the betting.
Once we have the final declarations for The Coral Cup, let’s see if our expert Richard Smith can point you in the way of a big-priced winner, or even a juicy combination tricast.
Richard’s analysis will be available here on the Monday before the festival starts, so make sure to bookmark this page.
- Super Extra Place Races are announced on the Betfred App and website
- This “Super” extra place option is usiuially found on the big field handicaps at the major racing festivals.
£5
UK Gambling Commission under account number 39544. Licensed by the Gibraltar Government and regulated by the Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner (RGL no. 036 & 038)
31/12/2023
Available on Betfred.com and the Betfred app. Best Odds Guaranteed does not apply to Super Extra Place races. Applies to single and multiple bets. Doesn’t apply to ante-post bets. Dead heat rules apply. Betfred reserve the right to exclude certain customers from this offer at our discretion due to internal risk policies and/or account staking restrictions. General Betfred.com rules apply, see website for details.
https://www.betfred.com/
Petfre (Gibraltar) Limited
1967
5/2 Waterport Place, Gibraltar,
FORM PICK
The Coral Cup is next up and it is always a tricky race to work out, but there seem to be a few who stand out in this and one of those is Ballyadam 8/1 who goes here off top weight but has been in fine form and cannot be discounted from his welter burden.
Another single-figure priced runner with a strong chance is DODDIETHEGREAT 8/1 EW and he is the one that gets our vote after closing late last time when fourth in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury. He holds very strong claims.
For those looking at Juicier prices, then both Jigoro 10/1 and the now well-handicapped Guard Your Dreams 20/1 should be in the mix.
15:30 THE Betway Queen Mother Champion STEEPLE Chase (Grade 1)
The feature race of the day is Queen Mother Champion Chase sponsored by Betway, and after hot favourite Energumene was beaten on Cheltenham Festival Trials Day back in January, the race now has a much more open look to it. Below you you can see that run on trials day.
On our four-day 2024 Cheltenham Festival Preview page, we pointed out three horses at the end of January that were well fancied to run well here and were high up in the betting.
Final declarations will probably give us a small but select field to try and pick the winner from, and below you can see the thoughts of our expert Richard Smith.
Until the decs are finalised, Richard has already analysed the Champion Chase pre dec entries the two on his shortlist are Jonbon and Ferny Hollow as value against the likely odds on favourite El Fabiolo.
This race looks like being a small field and sometimes it is worth looking at the favourites in the small field and Championship races and putting them in a bet like a Trixie or a Patent, and if you fancy four races, then a Lucky 15 could be the way to go if you fancy the Willie Mulins hotpot El Fabiolo.
- Offer is only valid to new customers who reside in the United Kingdom.
- Maximum Matched Free Bet: £30
- Qualifying bets must have 3+ legs on any Football or Horse Racing market
£10
UK Gambling Commission
31/12/2024
This offer is only valid to New Customers who reside in the United Kingdom. Min stake: £5. Maximum Matched Free Bet: £30. Debit Card deposits only. No other payment method will qualify. Qualifying bets must have 3+ legs on any Football or Horse Racing market. Both pre-match and in-play bets qualify for this promotion. The accumulator must have an overall odds of 3.00 (2/1) or higher. Multiple bets on any other sport will not qualify. No system bets (Lucky 31, Canadians, Accumulator-4 with 5 selections, etc.) Bet builder bets will not qualify for this offer. If one leg is void, then providing there is at least one losing leg, we will honour the Free Bet. Bets involving cash-out will not qualify for this offer. Real money bets only. We will aim to credit your Free Bet within an hour of the bet settling. The Free Bet will expire 7 days upon being credited. General Free Bet Terms The Free Bet cannot be used to place multi-line multiple bets (e.g. Trixie’s, Patents, Yankees etc.). Should the Free Bet be placed on a selection that is later voided, the stake will be returned to your account as a Free Bet. The Free Bet is non-refundable and the Free Bet stake is not included in any returns. Placement of a Free Bet on an each-way market is considered one bet (including the win and place portion). The return from this bet must be greater than the total value of the Free Bet placed for winnings to be paid out. A redeemed Free Bet will not count towards qualification to view streamed events. The following terms apply to all Betway promotional Free Bets (excluding the Free Bet Welcome Offer). Should you require assistance with any of these conditions, please do not hesitate to contact Customer Support. The general terms & conditions shall apply to all interactions with Betway and must be read with all relevant promotional terms and conditions. Unless specifically stated otherwise, all deposits have a playthrough of at least once (1), before a Free Bet specifically related to the deposit will be activated. Betway Sports Promotions department will be the sole judge in respect of honouring any and all promotional offers. Betway Sports reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to amend any offer and its terms at any time, including the cancellation of the promotion without any prior notice. Any customer deviating from the promotional rules may be disqualified without notice. Before any withdrawals are processed, your play will be reviewed for any irregular playing patterns. In the interests of fair gaming using a combination of bets which include both a Free Bet and cash on the same event to place equal, zero or low margin or hedge bets, shall all be considered irregular gaming for bonus wagering requirement purposes. Should Betway Sports deem that irregular game play has occurred, it reserves the right to withhold any withdrawals and/or confiscate all winnings.
https://betway.com/en/sports
Betway Group (part of Super Group)
2006
9 Empire Stadium Street, Gzira, GZR 1300, Malta
FORM PICK
The Champion Chase looks a penalty kick for the Willie Mullins El Fabiolo 1/2 who was very impressive at The Dublin Racing Festival in February should win this with a clear round.
Jonbon 4/1 is clearly a very talented horse and would likely have won here last time not for uprooting the fourth from home, but the Seven Barrows camp were in poor form on Day 1 and it could be wise to take a look-see in the earlier races to see how Hendo’s horses are running.
Our value pick against the favourite is EDWARDSTONE 7/1 EW, and he looks an EW bet to nothing here and should hit the money with a clear round.
16:10 THE Glenfarclas CROSS COUNTRY STEEPLE Chase
Next up on Day 2 we have the Cross Country race which has become a much-loved race at the festival. It’s a great race for spectators as well, as you can view the race from the grandstand or take a vantage point at designated spots around the course. We looked at three horses on our main 2024 Cheltenham Festival Preview page that were vying for favouritism at the end of January.
Once we have the final field announced, hopefully, our tipping expert Richard Smith can point you in the way of the winner of this unique 3-mile and 6-furlong contest.
- Bet365 will pay out if your horse is first past the post and subsequently disqualified
- Bet365 will pay out on both the disqualified runner and official winner
- Offer available for Horse Racing in the UK and Ireland, as well as US, Germany, France, South Africa and Mauritius Racing
£5
UK Gambling Commission
31/12/2023
Pay out on Double Result offer applies to Win, Each Way (including Each Way Extra), Singles, Multiples, Betting Without, Enhanced Win bets, Cover Bets, Place Only bets and Not To Be Placed bets and Ante-Post bets as well as Forecasts and Tricasts. All other markets, including Tote bets, Colossus bets, Not to Win bets, Match Bets and Jollies And Rags, as well as instances of horses taking the wrong course, if there is an objection by the Clerk of the Scales or if an incorrect number is transmitted in error, are excluded from this offer. In the event of non-runners, bet365 may remove the availability of Enhanced Place Terms or update the place terms offered. Bets placed prior to the removal or update of the market will be settled in accordance with the Enhanced Place Terms taken at the time of bet placement. Where any term of the offer or promotion is breached or there is any evidence of a series of bets placed by a customer or group of customers, which due to enhanced payments, Free Bets, Bet Credits or any other promotional offer results in guaranteed customer profits irrespective of the outcome, whether individually or as part of a group, bet365 may reclaim the enhanced payment, Free Bet, refund payment or Bet Credit element of such offers and/or void any bet funded by the Free Bet or Bet Credits. In addition, where there is evidence of such activity, bet365 may levy an administration charge on the customer up to the value of the Bet Credits, Free Bet, refund or enhanced payment towards the administrative costs incurred in identifying and taking action against the activity. bet365 may reclaim any bonus amount, Free Bets, Bet Credits, refund amount or enhanced payments that have been awarded in error. bet365 may, at any time, make minor amendments to this promotion to correct typographical errors or to improve on clarity or customer experience and may cancel this promotion for legal or regulatory reasons. Employees, officers and directors of bet365, its promotional or other agencies, licensees and licensors, service providers and any other associated or affiliated companies shall not be eligible for the promotion. The same terms shall apply to the direct families of such persons.
https://www.bet365.com
Bet365 Group Ltd / Hillside (New Media) Ltd
2000
Stoke-on-Trent
FORM PICK
Next up is the Cross Country and Delta Work 5/2 is going for a three-timer in the race, but faces a much stiffer test here with both Galvin 6/1 and Coko Beach 5/2 providing stiff opposition (all three trained by Gordon Elliot)
However, we cannot get away from MINELLA INDO 11/4 WIN, who although is not at the powers he once was (Gold Cup winner). He still retains plenty of ability and may just have a bit too much class for these.
16:50 The Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Steeple Chase Challenge Cup (Premier Handicap)
The penultimate race on Day 2 is the race named after the father of current top trainer Nicky Henderson, and one that he is always trying to win, and he is sure to once again have multiple entries. We touched on the top three in the betting back in January on our main 2023 Cheltenham Festival Preview page.
Once the final race declarations are published, our expert Richard Smith will be casting his eye over the runners to try and pinpoint some value outsiders that can be backed each way.
- Offer is available every day on selected races.
- Maximum Free Bet refund is limited to £10 per customer per race
- Offer applies to win singles & win part of E/W bets only
£5
UK Gambling Commission under account number 39544. Licensed by the Gibraltar Government and regulated by the Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner (RGL no. 036 & 038)
31/12/2023
Available on Betfred.com and the Betfred App. Minimum Free Bet refund is 50p and Maximum Free Bet refund is £10 per customer per race. Offer applies to win singles & win part of E/W bets only. Offer applies if your selection finishes 2nd in the 19:20 & 20:20 Kempton on 06/07/2022. Official results will be determined from www.sportinglife.com/racing/results. Offer is fulfilled in Free Bets. CashedOut bets do not count. Bets placed on specials markets or boosts will not count. In the event of a dead heat second, half of the stake will be refunded as a free bet on both selections, up to a maximum of £5 free bet per customer. In the event of dead heat first, offer does not apply Does not apply to Antepost bets. Does not apply to bets placed on unnamed favourites/unnamed 2nd favourites. Five or more runners must start the race for the offer to qualify. Free Bets credited within 24 hours of qualifying bets being settled. Bets using existing Free Bet funds do not count. Free Bets awarded from this promotion will be valid for 7 days, any Free Bet funds that are unused after 7 days will be removed. Betfred reserve the right to exclude certain customers from this offer at our discretion due to internal risk policies and/or account staking restrictions. Usual Betfred.com rules apply, see website for details.
https://www.betfred.com/
Petfre (Gibraltar) Limited
1967
5/2 Waterport Place, Gibraltar,
FORM PICK
It’s the second big handicap of the day, but a smaller field than normal with “only” seventeen going to post. Don’t get your bets mixed up with the two market leaders Madara 6/1 and Maskada 7/1 who both hold strong form claims in this.
However, at a bit more value, we like the look of the Dan Skelton trained FRERE D’ARMES 28/1 EW who put in a nice effort here last time when 6th of 13 and this is sure to be a fast run race and this one looks to have a decent each-way squeak in a race that should be run to suit.
17:30 The Weatherbys Champion Bumper (A Standard Open NH Flat Race) (Grade 1)
The final race on Day 2 is the Champion Bumper and often referred to as an Irish benefit, such is the power of the entrants that the top Irish trainers fire at this race.
We noted three horses at the end of January that were well fancied in the betting and listed these on our main 2024 Cheltenham Festival Preview page.
Once the final declarations are out, well take a look at the Irish challenge and see if we can spot any horses from the home team that might be able to cause an upset.
- This promo allows you to pick how many places you wish to bet at with place odds terms reducing the more places you pick.
- Pick Your Places is available on all UK and Irish horse racing.
£5
Malta Gaming Authority under license: MGA/CRP/121/2006-05
31/12/2023
Terms and Conditions See full terms and conditions bellow Conversion rates When we convert currencies, we consider £10 to be equal to: €10 (euro) AU$20 (Australian dollar) CA$20 (Canadian dollar) CHf15 (Swiss franc) Kr80 (Danish krone) HK$115 (Hong Kong dollar) ¥1300 (Japanese yen) Kr120 (Swedish krona) S$20 (Singapore dollar) US$10 (US dollar) 1. General restrictions a. We expect you to be fair when you take part in promotions. We consider certain types of play to be unfair and to break these terms and conditions. These unfair types of play include the following. Using ‘minimal risk wagering patterns’ (that is, a set pattern of bets or stakes that unfairly minimises risks). Using more than one account in order to get more than the number of bonuses allowed for each customer. Sharing personalised promotions (that is, promotions only available to specific customers we offer them to) with others. This includes taking part in any personalised promotion forwarded to you by someone else when it was not intended for you. Taking part in a promotion that is not available in the country you live in. Colluding with other customers (that is, plotting with others to gain an unfair advantage). Using more than one account per person, per household or per IP address. b. If you take part in any play that we consider to be unfair, we may cancel any bonuses or promotions applied to your account, reclaim any bonus you have received as part of any promotion we have cancelled, and either: settle bets at the correct odds, not the bonus or promotion odds; void any free bets or bets funded by a bonus (that is, treat them as if they had never been placed); or remove any winnings relating to any bonus. 2. General conditions a. Regardless of anything else set out in these terms and conditions, you can withdraw funds from your main balance at any time, except where we must withhold the funds to meet our legal or regulatory obligations. b. You cannot take part in this promotion if we have previously banned you from taking part in promotions, or from betting or playing any games on our website. c. We can withhold or refuse to pay any winnings from a bonus if funds you paid into your main balance (including any amounts you have already used) are cancelled or denied by any payment service (for example, your card provider). d. We can change or cancel this promotion, or change these terms and conditions: without giving you notice, if the change or cancellation is needed because of any change in law or regulation; or by giving you notice beforehand, if the change or cancellation is for any other valid reason (for example, if there is a fault in the software or systems we use to provide this promotion, or we identify a mistake in this promotion or these terms and conditions). We can also award an equivalent bonus to the one referred to in this promotion. e. We will not be responsible for any technical, hardware or software failures, or any unavailable or lost network conditions which may result in incorrect information being displayed, or affect your ability to enter or take part in the promotion. If there is any dispute over your eligibility for the promotion, our decision will be final. f. Your use of our website, and your gaming or betting, is governed by our terms and conditions of using our website or telebetting service (the general terms). You must read the general terms and these terms and conditions before you take part in this promotion. If any of these terms and conditions conflict with the general terms, these terms and conditions will apply. g. These terms and conditions are governed by, and interpreted in line with, the laws of England and Wales. Any legal action in connection with these terms and conditions will be dealt with in the courts of England and Wales h. This promotion is offered, managed and made available on our website (williamhill.com) by us, WHG (International) Limited.
https://sports.williamhill.com/
William Hill PLC
1934
William Hill Global PLC, Tagliaferro Business Centre, Level 7, High Street, Sliema SLM 1549, Malta
FORM PICK
The concluding race is the bumper and of course the Irish have a very strong hand with Mullins and Elliot both sending powerful teams. However, this could just go the way of the Brits this year and at a nice double figure each way price, we like the chances of ROYAL INFANTRY 25/1 EW for Dan and Harry Skelton.
Unbeaten in two starts this season, with the latter coming in a Listed event.
Final Thoughts
Another cracking days racing, and the Champion Chase promises to be a classic with El Fabiolo, Jonbon, and Edwardstone looking to serve up a classic in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
