The Queen Mother Champion Chase is the highlight on day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival and although it does not look to be a vintage renewal as in previous years, there is a decent field assembled including long time favourite Sire De Grugy and former winner Sizing Europe.
A total of 11 horses were declared at the 48 hour stage for the feature race tomorrow with no real surprises in the field. Tony Martin’s Benefficient had a question mark over him until the last minute but his connections have decided to go with the Ryanair Chase on Thursday instead.
Willie Mullins appears to lead the Irish contingent in the race with Arvike Legionniere while Mouse Morris has last year’s Arkle runner up, Baily Green engaged. Henry De Bromhead also has Special Tiara, the mount of Davy Russell, along with former winner Sizing Europe.
Champion Trainer, Nicky Henderson has two entered with Captain Conan and Kid Cassidy while his counterpart, Paul Nicholls relies on Hinterland who will be the mount of Noel Fehily. Module, Somesby and Wishfull Thinking complete the lineup in what should be a tightly fought race.
As expected, last year’s Champion Bumper winner, Briar Hill was removed from the Neptune Novice Hurdle field as he is to take on the Albert Bartlett instead. Willie Mullins will rely on Faugheen and Rathnvinden in the 16 runner field. David Pipe’s Red Sherlock and Nicky Henderson’s Royal Boy are both declared.
Mullins also holds a strong hand in the Champion Bumper with the top three in the Market on BETDAQ. He runs Black Herculaes, Shaneshill and Killutagh Vic and there are 23 horses declared for the Grade 1 finale to day 2.
There is a relatively large field of 15 declared for the RSA Chase where Richard Johnson replaces the injured Jason Maguire on Corrin Wood. All the leading hopes have stood their ground in the Three Mile Novice Chase including Irish hopes Ballycasey, Carlingford Lough, Don Cossack and Morning Assembley.
Johnson also replaces Maguire on leading Coral Cup fancy Clondaw Kaempfer. Former Champion Bumper winner, Dunguib heads the weights in the 28 runner field. Former winner, Son of Flicka is also entered along with last year’s runner up, Meister Eckhart.
The Cross Country race sees 16 runners go to post headed by former winner Balthazar King, while last year’s winner, Big Shu is the mount of Paul Carberry. Enda Bolger has a strong string of four with Quantitativeasing, Love Rory, Quiscover Fontaine and Star Neuville.
A full field of 24 have been declared for tomorrow’s the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle including six runners from Ireland. Willie Mullins saddles impressive Naas winner, Ivan Grozny.
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