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Megan Nicholls Cheltenham Festival Day 2 Tips – Champion Chase, Grand Annual & more

WEDNESDAY RACING TIPS

Cheltenham 1.20 – Turners Novices’ Hurdle

I’m a big fan of The New Lion (7/4) here.

I know the Challow Hurdle has historically not been a good trial for races at the festival but this season’s wasn’t like previous runnings as it wasn’t run on bad ground.

In any case I was blown away by what The New Lion did at Newbury – had Harry Skelton really pushed the button he could have won by miles. The form has been boosted too and I really fancy him.

If he was trained in Ireland and done what he did at the Dublin Racing Festival he would be odds-on – so the fact we’re getting a price of around 2/1 makes him a great bet.

Final Demand (13/8 fav) was superb at Leopardstown but I think he should have run in the Albert Bartlett as he looks like a stayer to me.

The English need a top novice hurdler and I’m hoping The New Lion is just that.

Megan’s Tip: The New Lion WIN

Cheltenham 2.00 – Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase

Ballyburn (10/11 fav) is my NAP of the whole meeting. The step up in trip here should really suit him as he’s clearly a stayer.

The try at two miles against Sir Gino proved that and I expect him to show his class here.

I was shocked at his price last week and even though he’s now odds-on, I think that’s more than fair.

Dancing City (4/1) is a nice horse in his own right but I’m not sure he wants good ground and Ballyburn has beaten him before.

I don’t see any reason why that won’t happen again.

Megan’s Tip: Ballyburn WIN

Cheltenham 2.40 – Coral Cup

I like Comfort Zone (15/2) for this.

He’s a strong travelling horse, who we know goes well in these big-field handicaps. He was probably a little unlucky at Leopardstown last time where he just got squeezed for room at a crucial time and his trainer, Joseph O’Brien, has a really good record in these races.

Given BetMGM is paying six places on this race another one I like the look of is Sandor Clegane (14/1).

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He’s been running in much better races than this and now drops down to a handicap for the first time.

A 2m 5f run at a good gallop could be just what he wants and he looks a big price on some of his best form.

The other really solid one is Ballyadam (10/1).

He goes really well at Cheltenham as shown by his second in this contest 12 months ago. He might find one or two too good, but I can certainly see him filling the placings.

Megan’s Tips: Comfort Zone WIN; Sandor Clegane EW; Ballyadam EW

Cheltenham 3.20 – Cross Country

He’s done us a favour before and I’ll be sticking with Stumptown (9/4 fav).

He won convincingly last time and I don’t see any reason to desert him. His trainer has targeted this race for him and I think he’s a very worthy favourite.

At an each-way price, Mister Coffey (13/2) deserves his day in the sun.

He clearly loves this sphere and is better off at the weights with Stumptown, so I can see him going well too.

Latenightpass (11/) fell at the first at Ascot last time, but he’s gone very well over the Cross Country fences before and that’s never a bad formula here.

Megan’s Tips: Stumptown WIN; Mister Coffey EW; Latenightpass EW

Cheltenham 4.00 – BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase

This is Jonbon’s (5/6 fav) race to lose in my opinion.

He’s looked better than ever this season and I think he’s really matured as a racehorse.

The big question mark is his Cheltenham record but his prep for this has been better than his rival’s and he’s by far the most likely winner in my eyes.

This is the year he puts the doubters to bed and shows why he’s the best in this division.

If you’re looking for one to follow him home, you could do worse than Solness (7/1).

He was beaten a long way by Jonbon in the Tingle Creek but you can’t fault his last two runs. He’s really tough and I can see him plugging on and making the places.

Megan’s Tip: Jonbon WIN; Solness EW

Cheltenham 4.40 – Grand Annual

It’s not really a race for favourites this one, so I’ll be looking for one at a price.

Jazzy Matty (15/2) will be carrying my money. He won the Fred Winter in 2023 and had a nice prep for this over hurdles.

He was second at this track in October and I have a feeling he might still have a few pounds in hand which is always a big bonus in this race.

The other one I like is The King Of Prs (7/1), who has improved heaps this season. He won pretty well at Fairyhouse and he’s a horse that does his best work at the finish so the hill at Cheltenham could really suit him.

Gavin Cromwell is about as shrewd as they come and his runners always need considering.

Megan’s Tip: Jazzy Matty EW; The King Of Prs EW

Cheltenham 5.20 – Champion Bumper

I was at a preview with Ruby Walsh last week and I know the Mullins team are all very keen on Copacabana (9/4 fav), so I’m not surprised he’s been very well-backed.

His work has reportedly been very good at home and he’s the contender here who has the most speed which could be crucial on drying ground.

His stablemates are all very talented but are viewed as more as staying types and Copacabana might just have more pace which will likely be important on the forecast good ground.

I would give a good mention to my dad’s No Drama This End (12/1). He’s a very sound-minded horse and the occasion here won’t get the better of him.

The team are big fans and I wouldn’t be surprised if he ran really well.

Megan’s Tip: Copacaban WIN; No Drama This End EW

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