The grieving girlfriend of late jockey Michael O’Sullivan said she felt like “he is here with us” as his two previous Cheltenham-winning horses triumphed again weeks after his death.
Marine Nationale and Jazzy Matty claimed astonishing wins within 40 minutes of each other, having previously been O’Sullivan’s only winners at the Festival.
The races took place 24 hours after O’Sullivan’s girlfriend, Charlotte Giles, and brother joined commemorations alongside jockeys ahead of the opening race at Cheltenham. Giles had been wiping away tears amid a sombre mood at Prestbury Park ahead of the specially renamed Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Mares Hurdle on Tuesday.
But on Wednesday, after joining Queen Camilla in the Queen Mother Champion Chase trophy presentations, Giles was ecstatic at O’Sullivan’s former horses enjoying success.
“Michael’s legacy will always live on,” the 23-year-old told Telegraph Sport. “In moments like this, we get a great sense of, you know that he is here with us. I think it’s moments like this that show that he is here with us, and he’ll always be there with us.”
First, Marine Nationale, ridden by Sean Flanagan for owner-trainer Barry Connell, won a dramatic Queen Mother Champion Chase by 18 lengths from favourite Jonbon.
Then the Cian Collins-trained Jazzy Matty, under Danny Gilligan, landed the Grand Annual Chase. Marine Nationale had won the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle two years ago in the same yellow and blue colours for O’Sullivan, who died aged 24 following his injuries at Thurles Racecourse.
“Michael loved the horse very much and obviously they started a career together,” said Giles, from Ireland. “They went on a journey together and the horse certainly put his whole heart and soul into today. It means very, very much. At the last jump, I got a bit of a fright. Michael was certainly with Marina every step of the way, and it was certainly incredible to watch it. I think the horse has shown how much of a connection there was between him and Michael. They had a real bond between each other, and they understood each other. Michael always rated the horse so highly as well, even when he was going through injuries and everything. Michael never had a bad word to say about the horse.”
05:36 PM GMT
See you tomorrow
That’s all for today on another memorable day at Cheltenham. This place creates stories better than any other and today was one doused in emotion after both Marine Nationale and Jazzy Matty – the two horses the late Michael O’Sullivan won on in the same day in 2023 – both tasted success.
Looking ahead to tomorrow, it’s the Ryanair Chase and the Stayers’s Hurdle to take centre stage – click here for our full day three preview and tipping guide.
05:29 PM GMT
Free bets on Thursday
05:28 PM GMT
Champion Bumper – result
-
Bambino Fever (Willie Mullins) 4/1
-
Heads Up (John McConnell) 33/1
-
Shuttle Diplomacy (Thomas Cooper) 66/1
05:25 PM GMT
BAMBINO FEVER WINS THE BUMPER
Willie Mullins again in the Champion Bumper. That’s 14 wins for him in this race now.
05:21 PM GMT
They’re off...
...in the Champion Bumper!
05:20 PM GMT
The sun bathes the runners...
...down at the start for the final race of the day.
05:12 PM GMT
Which of the Mullins battalion wins this then?
Gameofinches, Copacabana, Bambino Fever and Aqua Force have all produced superb performances in bumpers already this season and are all trained by Willie Mullins. Splitting them is anyone’s guess for me. Kalypso’chance for Gordon Elliott is also very well fancied.
05:04 PM GMT
Free bets
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05:03 PM GMT
Telegraph Sport tips – Champion Bumper
Marcus Armytage: Bambino Fever was a wide-margin winner of two bumpers and point-to-point and Paul Townend’s going let his sister win one isn’t he?
Charlie Brooks: Copacabana. I suspect Patrick had first choice of Willie Mullins’; that’s good enough for me.
Marlborough: In another race where Willie Mullins holds a good hand, Aqua Force may surprise a few, much like she did on her sparkling debut last month for her previous connections
05:02 PM GMT
Champion Bumper – betting market
-
Bambino Fever 10/3
-
Kalypso’chance 10/3
-
Copacabana 10/3
-
Gameofinches 4/1
-
Aqua Force 10/1
-
No Drama This End 11/1
-
Fortune De Mer 14/1
-
16/1 Bar
04:58 PM GMT
Cheltenham free bets
04:55 PM GMT
Emotion from winning rider
04:55 PM GMT
What happened in the Cross Country?
Sean Flanagan, who went on to win the Champion Chase on Marine Nationale, set off to make the cross-country a test of stamina on Vanillier, a Grand National runner up. At the third, the Canal Turn, he jumps it a bit too straight and appears to go straight on. The jockey takes a look behind him as if he is being shouted at by his fellow jockeys and pulls his mount round to the left just in time. However he has lost his pitch and any chance he had of dictating the pace of the race because he has gone from first to about third last.
Did it cost him the race? It’s is very hard to say. He probably lost as much ground as he was beaten by but it was too early to say but it meant the plan to make the running went out of the window. Nevertheless it was a good National trial and the trainer Gavin Cromwell also trained the winner so he will not feel too bad about it.
04:51 PM GMT
Grand Annual – result
-
Jazzy Matty 15/2
-
Unexpected Party 11/2F
-
Midnight It Is 25/1
-
My Mate Mozzie 13/2
04:48 PM GMT
JAZZY MATTY WINS THE GRAND ANNUAL
Great battle up the run-in with Unexpected Party. That’s now the two horses that Micheal O’Sullivan won on at the festival in 2023, winning again a matter of weeks after his passing. You could not write it.
04:42 PM GMT
They’re circling at the start...
...and are away in the Grand Annual.
04:34 PM GMT
Market mover
Primoz has been wildly popular in the run-up to this race. He is trained by Lucinda Russell, who celebrated success yesterday with Myretown – a horse, like Primoz, running in a handicap chase off a very low weight.
He’s into 11/2 having been at double-figure odds earlier in the day.
04:32 PM GMT
Telegraph Sport tips – Grand Annual
Marcus Armytage: A faller at the second last a year ago, The King Of Prs beginning to put together a good profile for this race now.
Charlie Brooks: Conyers Hill. This is a good race for a novice, as they aren’t totally exposed, and I liked the way he battled and showed a turn of foot last time out at Down Royal.
Marlborough: Unexpected Party looks to have very much been brought along with this race in mind again this season and looks sure to play his part once more.
04:30 PM GMT
Touching moment
Queen Camilla has just presented the prize to winning connections, including the late Michael O’Sullivan’s girlfriend Charlotte.
04:28 PM GMT
Cheltenham Festival free bets
The Grand Annual Handicap Chase looks almost impossible to call. Sign up with one of our recommended bookmakers to claim your Cheltenham Festival free bets for Wednesday’s penultimate race.
04:27 PM GMT
Championship race delivers again
Much like the Champion Hurdle yesterday, the Champion Chase delivered drama in spades there. Jonbon’s error blew the race wide open but in the end Marine Nationale was much too good. He might well have won anyway had the favourite not made that shuddering error.
The post-script is both about connections and, of course, the late Michael O’Sullivan – who had such a strong association with the horse and died last month after a fall at Thurles.
04:24 PM GMT
Grand Annual – betting market
-
Jazzy Matty 6/1F
-
Primoz 6/1
-
Unexpected Party 13/2
-
My Mate Mozzie 7/1
-
Jpr One 15/2
-
General Medrano 11/1
-
American Mike 12/1
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So Scottish 12/1
-
14/1 Bar
04:17 PM GMT
Cheltenham free bets
04:16 PM GMT
More reaction...
...this time from trainer Barry Connell.
04:14 PM GMT
Raw emotion from Flanagan
04:13 PM GMT
What of Jonbon?
Connections will be left to wonder what might have been. A heavy error down the back straight ended his chances in truth but he plugged on bravely for second, even is he was a long, long, long way behind the winner.
04:10 PM GMT
Queen Mother Champion Chase – result
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Marine Nationale (Barry Connell) 5/1
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Jonbon (Nicky Henderson) 5/6F
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Captain Guinness (Henry De Bromhead) 25/1
04:08 PM GMT
MARINE NATIONALE WINS THE QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE
A resounding win, made easier by the fall of Quilixios at the last. This will be an emotional win for the Barry Connell team. Marine Nationale was the horse the late Michael O’Sullivan partnered to the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in 2023.
04:07 PM GMT
Marine Nationale looks the one...
....round the home turn.
04:06 PM GMT
Big error from Jonbon
A horrible error. That should be the end of his race in truth.
04:04 PM GMT
No errors...
...from any of the runners through the first three fences.
04:04 PM GMT
Energumene leads...
....along with Quilixios. Jonbon settles in mid-division.
04:03 PM GMT
This time...
...they’re away! Solness out into a early lead as expected.
04:03 PM GMT
AND THEY’RE OFF IN THE QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE
No. No. It’s another false start.
04:00 PM GMT
Favourite a touch buzzy...
...in the preliminaries, though he is reknowned for that. Thought Marine Nationale and Found A Fifty looked a picture.
03:56 PM GMT
Jonbon support continues
Having been far from popular in the market this morning, Jonbon is now the pick of the punters in the moments before the Champion Chase. He’s rock-solid at 4/5 with nibbles coming for Energumene and for Found A Fifty at bigger prices.
03:49 PM GMT
Cheltenham betting offers
Will Marine Nationale and Jonbon fight out the Champion Chase finish? Take a look at the top day two Cheltenham betting offers if you’re having a punt on Wednesday’s feature race.
03:49 PM GMT
Queen Camilla in the parade ring
03:46 PM GMT
Marlborough on the big-race runners
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Captain Guinness: Winner of this race last year but not been in the same form this season and needs a sharp uplift in his form to feature.
-
Energumene: Never been out of the 3 in 14 starts over fences, dual winner of this race. Fancied to run very well again despite advancing age.
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Found A Fifty: Most consistent performer who can give a good account of himself once again but might come up short against a couple of these; each-way player.
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Jonbon: Unbeaten everywhere bar Cheltenham, where his form figures read 22121. Clear form pick nevertheless and fancied to take all the beating.
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Libberty Hunter: Solid horse at a level and very respectable record at Cheltenham. This is by far his toughest assignment however and he looks a place chance at best.
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Marine Nationale: 2023 Supreme winner who has taken to fences well despite not winning since his chasing debut. Fancied to go close.
-
Quilixios: Good chaser but a touch disappointing last time behind some of these at Leopardstown and will likely need a career-best to be in the shake up here.
-
Solness: Been on the go for a long time now but seems to be improving with every start still; any further progress sees him go very close.
03:45 PM GMT
Telegraph Sport tips – Champion Chase
Marcus Armytage: Jonbon is the preeminent two mile chaser, don’t listen to the popular argument that he does not like Cheltenham.
Charlie Brooks: Energumene. I don’t think he likes Ascot much, and so has a chance of turning things around with the favourite on a track he much prefers.
Marlborough: An interesting renewal of the Champion Chase, with cases made for a few here. Jonbon has a pretty impeccable record in his career to date and, while he may save his very best for other tracks, he is sure to take an awful lot of beating in this race, with the front-running Solness fancied to be the one to give the selection the most to think about.
03:44 PM GMT
WATCH: Queen Camilla arrives at Cheltenham earlier this afternoon
03:43 PM GMT
Champion Chase – betting market
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Jonbon 4/5F
-
Marine Nationale 9/2
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Energumene 5/1
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Solness 10/1
-
Found A Fifty 11/1
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Captain Guinness 28/1
-
Libberty Hunter 33/1
-
Quilixios 35/1
03:40 PM GMT
Cheltenham free bets
03:33 PM GMT
Cross Country Chase – result
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Stumptown (Gavin Cromwell) 5/2F
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Latenightpass (Tom Ellis) 11/1
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Vanillier (Gavin Cromwell) 15/2
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The Goffer (Gordon Elliott) 6/1
03:31 PM GMT
STUMPTOWN WINS THE CROSS COUNTRY!
That looked unlikely at one stage but he’s eventually won with consummate ease under Keith Donoghue. Great run from Latenightpass in second.
03:29 PM GMT
Another lead change...
...now Escaria Ten leads. Stumptown is paddling a little bit here.
03:27 PM GMT
French Dynamite takes it up...
...Stumptown, Vanillier and Mister Coffey all still up there. 10 more to jump.
03:26 PM GMT
They’re all...
...over the 16th. Mister Coffey is going nicely up front.
03:24 PM GMT
Stumptown and Mister Coffey...
...set the early tempo here. Escaria Ten is tucked in just behind.
03:23 PM GMT
Vanillier almost...
...runs out after the Aintree fence there. To be honest that looked more like jockey error than anything.
03:22 PM GMT
Now they are off...
...Vanillier jumps into an early lead.
03:20 PM GMT
And they’re...
...off in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase. Or not. False start. Let’s try again boys.
03:19 PM GMT
Jack Kennedy...
...has been stood down from his rides for the rest of the day. He’s hoping to ride for the remainder of the week from tomorrow. Derek O’Connor takes the ride on Galvin here.
03:16 PM GMT
Could this be the day?
Heart ruling the head here but would love to see Mister Coffey win this race for Nicky Henderson. He has not won a race since November 2020 but has, on many an occasion, performed admirably – including at this meeting. He’s well overdue a win.
03:07 PM GMT
Betting offers
Backing Stumptown, Galvin or another fancy in the Cross Country Chase? Choose from £100s-worth of Cheltenham betting offers if you’re having a wager on the action.
03:06 PM GMT
I think they might have just backed a winner
03:04 PM GMT
Cross Country time
Love it or loathe it, the Cross Country Chase is nothing if not unique. A hosts of different jumping tests over 3m5½f and, for the first time this season, run as a handicap. Here is the market as things stand:
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Stumptown 11/4
-
Galvin 4/1
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Mister Coffery 11/2
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Busselton 13/2
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The Goffer 7/1
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Vanillier 15/2
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Chemical Energy 14/1
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20/1 Bar
02:57 PM GMT
Telegraph Sport tips – Cross Country Chase
Marcus Armytage: Escaria Ten seemed rejuvenated by his first crack at cross-country when a close fourth to Stumptown and should, at least, outrun his odds of 50-1.
Charlie Brooks: Mister Coffey. He has run some great races in defeat, but every dog has his day and this could be his.
Marlborough: Despite conceding weight to all, it is hard to look past Stumptown, who was a ready winner over today’s course and distance in December and can make his presence felt again.
02:55 PM GMT
Coral Cup – result
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Jimmy Du Seuil (Willie Mullins) 16/1
-
Impose Toi (Nicky Henderson) 13/2
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Ballyadam (Henry De Bromhead) 16/1
-
Beat The Bat (Harry Fry) 11/2
02:51 PM GMT
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02:50 PM GMT
Mullins affair
For most trainers, Ballyburn’s blow up would be something disastrous, not so for Willie Mullins who has racked up two winners to ease the pain of of his young chaser’s poor display in the last race.
02:47 PM GMT
JIMMY DU SEUIL WINS THE CORAL CUP
He’s won that easily in the end. Backers of Impose Toi will have dared to dream turning for home but in the end the winner has proved just too good.
02:43 PM GMT
Al Gasparo leads...
...Might I is up there as well. Be Aware is dropped in at the back.
02:41 PM GMT
They are...
...off first time in the Coral Cup! I will eat my hat.
02:38 PM GMT
False start likely
Or at least I’d have thought so. 26 runners all keen for a position. If they get away first time here, I’ll eat my hat.
02:30 PM GMT
Needle in a haystack
Right, 26 runners in the upcoming Coral Cup so trying to keep track of all of this as they go round might be a touch tricky.This is often the most competitive handicap of the entire week. All the best folks.
02:28 PM GMT
More Ballyburn reaction
02:25 PM GMT
Cheltenham free bets
The 26-runner Coral Cup is the kind of handicap puzzle where bookies’ offers come in very handy. Check out these Cheltenham free bets ahead of the race.
02:23 PM GMT
Coral Cup – betting market
-
Be Aware 16/5F
-
Comfort Zone 5/1
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Beat The Bat 6/1
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Impose Toi 6/1
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Bunting 17/2
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Jipcot 12/1
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Jimmy Du Seuil 16/1
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Ballyadam 20/1
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Sandor Clegane 20/1
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22/1 Bar
02:19 PM GMT
Telegraph Sport tips – Coral Cup
Marcus Armytage: Impose Toi is an under-the-radar Henderson runner who was once too keen to handle this trip, now wants it.
Charlie Brooks: Bunting. Paul Townend wasn’t overly hard on him over half a mile shorter than this in his prep race at Clonmel, where he was a good second.
Marlborough: Typically competitive heat and a flyer is taken on Beat The Bat, who had his supporters last time and can appreciate the step back up in trip for his respected trainer.
02:15 PM GMT
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02:15 PM GMT
Astonishing stuff
Ballyburn gave Paul Townend a woeful round there. His jumping lacked accuracy and he was far too keen throughout. In the end nothing went right but take nothing away from Lecky Watson, who has performed superbly well in what is a clear career-best.
Here’s winning riding Sean O’Keefe...
02:09 PM GMT
Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase – result
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Lecky Watson (Willie Mullins) 20/1
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Stellar Story (Gordon Elliott) 22/1
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Better Days Ahead (Gordon Elliott) 13/2
02:07 PM GMT
LECKY WATSON WINS THE BROWN ADVISORY!
A stunning upset as the outsider upsets Ballyburn. The pair are stablemates but few predicted they would have finished in that order.
02:06 PM GMT
Ballyburn trying to bridge...
...the gap as they go over the third last.
02:05 PM GMT
Dancing City and Better Days Ahead...
...lead ahead of Lecky Watson and Gorgeous Tom. Ballyburn still at the rear with four to jump.
02:04 PM GMT
Ballyburn slow again...
...at the first of two fences in front of the stands.
02:03 PM GMT
Terrible error from Ballyburn!
Paul Towned loses an iron after a jumping mistake. He’s still in touch though.
02:02 PM GMT
Quai De Bourbon makes...
...an ugly error and impedes Ballyburn just a touch.
02:01 PM GMT
Ballyburn showcasing...
...his extraordinarily low head carriage hear. His nose is basically on the floor as he gallops.
02:01 PM GMT
Dancing City and Better Days Ahead...
...bounce out in front. Ballyburn just tucked in on the rail in mid-division.
02:00 PM GMT
They’re lining up...
...and they’re off in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase.
01:55 PM GMT
All the rage
Ballyburn is being smashed by punters. He’s now a 8/15 shot to win.
01:51 PM GMT
On we move
And this race is all about the Willie Mullins-trained Ballyburn. Last year, he produced arguably the performance of the meeting in winning the Turners and now he has the chance to officially mark himself as a Gold Cup contender of the future in this three-mile test.
Dancing City, Better Days Ahead and Gorgeous Tom are all worthy adversaries but this is all about Ballyburn. He is a class act on everything we’ve seen so far. He has to be the pick. If you don’t fancy getting involved at 4/7 then keep you money in your pocket and enjoy.
01:45 PM GMT
Telegraph Sport tips – Brown Advisory
Marcus Armytage: Ballyburn was last year’s two and a half mile novice hurdle winner and looks ready made for this step up in trip.
Charlie Brooks: Ballyburn. His defeat by Sir Gino was no disgrace and he looked back in his comfort zone over a longer trip at Leopardstown. This is the right race for him.
Marlborough: Ballyburn can thrive up to 3 miles for the first time; he has barely put a foot wrong all his life and looks one of the bankers of the week.
01:44 PM GMT
Cheltenham offers
Ballyburn is the hot favourite to win the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase. Take a look at these Cheltenham offers if you’re backing the Willie Mullins gelding.
01:41 PM GMT
Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase – betting market
-
Ballyburn 4/9
-
Dancing City 15/2
-
Better Days Ahead 8/1
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Gorgeous Tom 11/1
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Quai De Bourbon 16/1
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Stellar Story 22/1
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Lecky Watson 28/1
01:36 PM GMT
Race reaction
In truth, favourite Final Demand looked to be outpaced in the closing stages there, with the fears about him dropping back down in trip coming to fruition. The Yellow Clay has runner a stormer but both have been undone by a horse of superior class over the trip and ride of the highest quality from Harry Skelton.
01:33 PM GMT
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01:31 PM GMT
What performance that was
Friendless in the market before the race but connection were fully convicted that this horse was the one to beat in this race and so it’s proved. Quiet assurance from trainer Dan Skelton and superb result for his team and JP McManus.
01:28 PM GMT
Turners Novices’ Hurdle – full result
-
The New Lion (Dan Skelton) 3/1
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The Yellow Clay (Gordon Elliott) 5/2
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Final Demand (Willie Mullins) 6/4F
01:26 PM GMT
THE NEW LION WINS THE TURNERS!
Fabulous race and a classy ride from Harry Skelton. So confident throughout and produced just at the right time.
01:25 PM GMT
The Yellow Clay looks a danger...
...over the second last. But here’s Final Demand!
01:25 PM GMT
Potters Charm really...
...pressing for the lead now. The New Lion is held up and tracks Final Demand.
01:24 PM GMT
Final Demand travelling...
...well within himself as they clear the fifth and pass halfway.
01:23 PM GMT
Potters Charm and The Yellow Clay...
...make a move to try and cut into the leads advantage as they run away from the stands.
01:23 PM GMT
The third is jumped...
...cleanly by all the runners. Sixmilebridge taking them along at a decent clip.
01:22 PM GMT
Sixmilebridge leads over...
...the first two hurdles. Final Demand, The Yellow Clay and The New Lion all held up off the pace.
01:21 PM GMT
Now they are off!
The Yellow Clay goes off second favourite after being clipped into 5/2.
01:21 PM GMT
AND THEY’RE OFF IN THE TURNERS
Or not...false start. We’ll try again.
01:17 PM GMT
Intriguing betting market
The Yellow Clay at 100/30 is the big mover but neither Final Demand or The New Lion have really moved in price at all this morning. Punters appear to be split ahead of this one.
01:11 PM GMT
Horses in parade ring
Final Demand and The New Lion really do pop in the preliminaries. They really are two stunning-looking horses.
01:07 PM GMT
Cheltenham free bets
The bookies are back with more Cheltenham free bets for day two of the Festival, including some great offers for the Turners Novices’ Hurdle at 1.20.
01:02 PM GMT
Telegraph Sport tips – Turners Novices’ Hurdle (1.20)
Marcus Armytage: Challow Hurdle winners have a poor record at Cheltenham but there’s never been an easier winner of it than The New Lion and this horse can change that.
Charlie Brooks: Final Demand. The fact that he was entered by Willie Mullins in the Supreme and the Albert Bartlett tells you he has an abundance of speed and stamina.
Marlborough: Final Demand has looked right out of the top drawer on both of his starts over hurdles; he looks destined for the very top.
01:01 PM GMT
Harry Skelton’s day
Few jockeys will be feeling the pressure quite like Harry Skelton this afternoon. The stable jockey to his brother Dan looks likely to ride no less that three very-well fancied runners this afternoon. The New Lion (1.20), Be Aware (2.40) and Unexpected Party (4.40) have been all very-well backed for their respective races.
Skelton has been sporting one hell of a black eye this week after being kicked in the eye by a foal.
12:55 PM GMT
Updated Turners Novices’ Hurdle market
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Final Demand 11/8F
-
The New Lion 11/4
-
The Yellow Clay 3/1
-
Potters Charm 11/1
-
Sixmilebridge 18/1
-
33/1 Bar
12:51 PM GMT
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12:50 PM GMT
Jonbon on the drift
The favourite for the Queen Mother Champions Chase (4.00) is friendless in the market so far today. He’s drifted from 4/5 this morning out to even-money, with support coming for 2022 and 2023 winner Energumene, who has been clipped into 6/1.
In our opener, it’s The Yellow Clay who looks to have have caught the eye of punters. He has nearly halved in price this morning and is a best-priced 100/30 as we speak from 6/1 earlier today.
12:34 PM GMT
Who wins today?
Arguably the biggest fight of the week is not between the horses on the track but between punters and bookmakers. After dodging near-record liabilities on day one with the defeats of Majborough and Constitution Hill, the bookies certainly took the first round of the contest.
12:31 PM GMT
Wide-open contest
Tough to really get a handle on this race. The New Lion has been so visually impressive but there are questions over the substance of the form of his win in the Challow Hurdle. What’s more, winners of that race have a wretched record at the festival.
Favourite Final Demand was very good over a longer trip at Leopardstown last time and considering he is trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend has to be taken with the utmost severity when considering a selection.
For me, the Irish horse holds the edge here. He beat more than The New Lion last time and just looks the type to progress even further now. A slight easing in the ground will be his liking also.
12:21 PM GMT
Right then folks...
...an hour until the first and it’s about time me marked our card. The market for the Turners Novices’ Hurdle (1.20) is as follows:
-
Final Demand 11/8F
-
The New Lion 5/2
-
The Yellow Clay 10/3
-
Potters Charm 12/1
-
Sixmilebridge 20/1
-
Kaid d’Authie 28/1
-
33/1 Bar
12:03 PM GMT
Thom Gibbs in Benidorm
11:39 AM GMT
Marlborough’s Champion Chase race guide and verdict
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Captain Guinness: Winner of this race last year but not been in the same form this season and needs a sharp uplift in his form to feature.
-
Energumene: Never been out of the 3 in 14 starts over fences, dual winner of this race. Fancied to run very well again despite advancing age.
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Found A Fifty: Most consistent performer who can give a good account of himself once again but might come up short against a couple of these; each-way player.
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Jonbon: Unbeaten everywhere bar Cheltenham, where his form figures read 22121. Clear form pick nevertheless and fancied to take all the beating.
-
Libberty Hunter: Solid horse at a level and very respectable record at Cheltenham. This is by far his toughest assignment however and he looks a place chance at best.
-
Marine Nationale: 2023 Supreme winner who has taken to fences well despite not winning since his chasing debut. Fancied to go close.
-
Quilixios: Good chaser but a touch disappointing last time behind some of these at Leopardstown and will likely need a career-best to be in the shake up here.
-
Solness: Been on the go for a long time now but seems to be improving with every start still; any further progress sees him go very close.
An interesting renewal of the Champion Chase, with cases made for a few here. JONBON has a pretty impeccable record in his career to date and, while he may save his very best for other tracks, he is sure to take an awful lot of beating in this race, with the front-running Solness fancied to be the one to give the selection the most to think about.
11:28 AM GMT
Chalk and cheese
11:24 AM GMT
Key namesake
As well as the graded action there are three superb handicaps to get stuck into the afternoon, starting with the Coral Cup (2.40), which is arguably the most competitive race of the entire week.
Be Aware has been heavily supported this morning for Dan Skelton and is now a best-priced 4/1 favourite for a race his trainer has won the last two years.
Bunting is also something of a talking horse. Not only is he trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend but he also shares a name with an icon of British sport – darts player Stephen Bunting. If you’ve never seen his walk-on act, do yourself a favour and seek it out this very instant.
11:18 AM GMT
Full race schedule – Wednesday
1.20: Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
Race conditions: £150,000 | 2m5f | 10 hurdles | Old Course
2.00: Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
Race conditions: £200,000 | 3m½f | 20 fences | Old Course
2.40: Coral Cup (Grade 3)
Race conditions: £100,000 | 2m5f | 10 hurdles | Old Course
3.20: Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase (Listed)
Race conditions: £75,000 | 3m6f | 32 obstacles | Old Course
4.00: Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1)
Race conditions: £400,000 | 2m | 13 fences | Old Course
4.40: Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
Race conditions: £150,000 | 2m½f | 14 fences | Old Course
5.20: Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Grade 1)
Race conditions: £80,000 | 2m½f | 14 fences | Old Course
11:16 AM GMT
Confirmed Cheltenham Gold Cup field
We’re two days away but we now know the confirmed line-up for the biggest race of the week – the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Click here for a full run down of the confirmed Gold Cup field.
11:12 AM GMT
Cheltenham free bets
11:07 AM GMT
Here come the crowds
10:43 AM GMT
And now for something completely different
Yesterday, rather than taking in the sunny, if a little chilly, conditions at Cheltenham, our man Thom Gibbs opted for something rather different.
A trip to southern Spain, a big screen and a few beers by a pool in Benidorm in fact. This is the Cheltenham Festival with a difference. Read all about it here.
10:36 AM GMT
Going update
The official ground description remains good to soft, good in places but the GoingStick moving from 5.5 to 5.1 shows a slight easing from yesterday.
In truth, that difference is minimal so the ground should ride very similarly to yesterday, if slightly tackier.
10:31 AM GMT
Champion Chase tips
The Queen Mother Champion Chase (4.00) is today’s showpiece race. Here is how our Telegraph Sport experts see things.
Marcus Armytage: Jonbon is the preeminent two mile chaser, don’t listen to the popular argument that he does not like Cheltenham.
Charlie Brooks: Energumene. I don’t think he likes Ascot much, and so has a chance of turning things around with the favourite on a track he much prefers.
Marlborough: An interesting renewal of the Champion Chase, with cases made for a few here. Jonbon has a pretty impeccable record in his career to date and, while he may save his very best for other tracks, he is sure to take an awful lot of beating in this race, with the front-running Solness fancied to be the one to give the selection the most to think about.
10:27 AM GMT
Revision...
Perhaps I need to retract my earlier statement about the snow being just a light dusting.
10:26 AM GMT
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow
10:23 AM GMT
Cheltenham betting offers
Our first race of day two, the Turners Novices’ Hurdle, is still a while away, giving you time to find some free bets to bolster your betting bank. Take a look at our expert’s top Cheltenham betting offers.
10:13 AM GMT
Watch: Willie Mullins string in the snow
10:12 AM GMT
Snow in Cheltenham but racing goes ahead!
The big news overnight has little to do with the action on the course but rather the weather. It snowed, at least a little bit, in Cheltenham overnight, meaning horses out working on the gallops this morning did so on a beautiful white backdrop.
The good news is that the weather will have no impact on today’s action whatsoever, with clerk of the course Jon Pullin saying earlier this morning: “We’ve got a good covering of snow at the moment, but the forecasts in the next hour say it’ll turn to sleet and then disappear. As we’re talking, it’s turning into sleet now.
“Providing everything goes as the forecast says, we’ll be fine and should be okay. The going will remain good to soft and temperatures could get up to 7C.”
10:05 AM GMT
Day two is upon us
By Marcus Armytage
Nicky Henderson may have won nine Champion Hurdles but if he is synonymous with one race at the Festival it is, by virtue of the greatness of Remittance Man and his dual winners Sprinter Sacre and Altior, the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase, a race he has only won six times so far.
In Jonbon he has another superstar but to join Henderson’s great two milers he has to win today’s race. He is unquestionably the best horse in it but as yesterday’s Champion Hurdle proved that can sometimes count for nothing and, tactically it is one of the most fascinating races of this year’s Festival because of the presence of the Joseph O’Brien trained Solness.
When Solness won a Grade One at Leopardstown at Christmas the expert view was that JJ Slevin and the seven-year-old should be arrested for burglary. However when the horse repeated the feat to beat Marine Nationale two lengths at the Dublin Racing Festival, it looked like the new tactic was bringing the best out of Solness.
There are many ways of winning from the front. On the Flat Frankie Dettori is the master of controlling the pace, slowing it down and then kicking before anyone else. If he has a trademark ride it is it. More traditionally over jumps it is to make the most of a horse’s long stride to pile the pressure on those chasing and maintain a lead by out jumping the opposition who then find themselves constantly on the back foot. It often puts their jumping under pressure.
Solness has found a novel way to make the running which is to post some very strong fractions mid race for a mile, say from half a mile to a mile and a half, get a breather in while the others play catch up, go again and hope you have enough left to repel any late challenges.
In many ways Cheltenham lends itself to that tactic and Slevin can kick on and open up down the hill away from the stands and try and win it there. The dilemma for Nico de Boinville, the best big race jockey riding in Britain at the moment, on Jonbon is whether to go with Solness or sit and let him go 10 or 15 lengths clear. Or a bit of both. Either way de Boinville will have a plan.
There is an argument which has gained some traction in this sport of opinions that Jonbon is not overly in love with Cheltenham but I cannot have that. He has started there five times winning the Shloer twice, finishing second to Constitution Hill in the Supreme and El Fabiolo in the Arkle and arguably his best run was to get within a head of winning the Clarence House after all but capsizing the fourth last.
If he was once a tricky customer at home he has now matured into the finished article and I expect him to become Henderson’s fourth great two miler rather than join the likes of Douvan and Well Chief as top two milers who never won a Champion Chase. Last year Captain Guinness did a ‘Golden Ace’ picking up the piece of a race which had fallen apart but he cannot, surely, be that lucky twice.
If Energumene, now 11 wins, he would become the first horse since Badsworth Boy 1983-5 to win it three times and, of course, if Marine Nationale, the horse that propelled the late Michael O’Sullivan into the big time, that would also be a poignant winner.
The New Lion can win the opening Turners Novice Hurdle for the Skeltons who must have thought the Arkle theirs yesterday before Jango Baie appeared from out of the clouds while Ballyburn should double his Festival tally by winning the Brown Advisory Novice Chase. Escaria Ten can massively outrun his odds of 50-1 in the Glenfarclas Cross-Country, a once gimmicky race which has now won its place in racegoers’ hearts, without winning it.
Through Gordon Elliott saddles six of the 16 runner field - his best shot looks like last year’s Grand National fourth Galvin - Gavin Cromwell has good chances with both Stumptown and the well weighted Vannilier. Riding out for Elliott this week I have sat on Coko Beach and, yesterday, The Goffer who felt better than he did when fifth in the Ultima last year and will enjoy the ground.
