Tips, races, odds and weather for today

When Majborough beat Marine Nationale 19 lengths to win the Dublin Chase at the start of February, Timeform rated it the best performance of the season so far.

The 2024 Triumph Hurdle winner who fluffed his lines when beaten into third after a couple of near catastrophic mistakes in the Arkle 12 months ago, returns to the Cheltenham Festival today a probable odds-on shot for the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase.

However, the race itself has been something of a graveyard for odds-on shots; seven of the last 10 being beaten, four of them (Un de Sceaux at 4-6, Douvan at 2-9, Chacun Pour Soi at 8-13 and El Fabiolo at 2-9) trained by Majborough’s trainer Willie Mullins.

Apart from Favori de Champdou, who looks nailed on for the Glenfarclass Cross-Country, the rest of the racing looks very open on day two of the Festival. Act of Innocence can take the Turners’ and get the day off to a good start for an in-form Nicky Henderson and the trainer could also win the BetMGM Cup with Iberico Lord.

Cheltenham Festival day 2 tips and results

1.20: Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1 )

• Marlborough’s tip: Ballyfad
• Marcus Armytage’s tip: Act of Innocence
  Only defeat came when giving masses of weight to a four-year-old, solid representative from a yard in good form coming into meeting.
• Charlie Brooks’ tip: King Rasco Grey
  Paul Townend/Willie Mullins – say no more.

2.00: Brown Advisory Novices’ Steeple Chase (Grade 1)

• Marlborough’s tip: The Big Westerner
• Marcus Armytage’s tip: Oscars Brother
  Could be one of the stories of the day, one of just two horses trained by Connor King. Comfortable winner of last two starts in Grade 2s.
• Charlie Brooks’ tip: Kitzbuhel
  His run at Kempton was unbelievable.

2.40: BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)

• Marlborough’s tip: Storm Heart
• Marcus Armytage’s tip: Iberico Lord (Nap)
  Comfortable winner of only start over this trip, needs to run career best but can do.
• Charlie Brooks’ tip: Jingko Blue
  Beaten last time by Kabral du Mathan, who goes for tomorrow’s Stayers’ Hurdle.

3.20: Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase

• Marlborough’s tip: Favori de Champdou
• Marcus Armytage’s tip: Favori de Champdou
  Seems revitalised by going cross-country despite a fall first time. Runaway winner over course last time with a nice weight thanks to presence of Stumptown.
• Charlie Brooks’ tip: Favori Des Champdou
  Looked so good over course and distance in January.

4.00: Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1)

• Marlborough’s tip: Majborough
• Marcus Armytage’s tip: It Etait Temps
  One time ante-post favourite for this has become the forgotten horse of the race after fall last time. Better ground can help.
• Charlie Brooks’ tip: Irish Panther
  Brilliant run at Leopardstown last time, finishing close to Romeo Coolio.

4.40: Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase (Grade 3)

• Marlborough’s tip: Be Aware
• Marcus Armytage’s tip: Jour d’Evasion
  Novice chaser who has developed a winning habit.
• Charlie Brooks’ tip: Rubbed
  Represents top trainer/jockey and has a touch of class.

5.20: Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Grade 1)

• Marlborough’s tip: Love Sign d’Anjou
• Marcus Armytage’s tip: Bass Hunter
  Looks the pick of the British. If he gets his way in front he might prove hard to pass.
• Charlie Brooks’ tip: Love Sign D’Aunon
  Patrick rides for Willie and Goliath Du Berlais is going to be a great sire.

Big-race trends

Turners Novices’ Hurdle
Another race where market prominence is a big factor. Six of the last 12 winners have been sent off as favourite, with 10 also having been trained in Ireland. In what are important considerations for novice races, every winner had at least two runs over hurdles, with 11 winners boasting at least two wins over hurdles coming into Cheltenham.

Brown Advisory Novice Chase
Previous course form is the name of the game here. Ten of the past 12 winners have won at Cheltenham before winning again in this Grade 1. It is also worth noting that 10 of the last 12 winners had won over the distance before, a stat that will be tested now that the two-and-a-half mile Grade 1 novice chase is no more. This is also a race in which horses arriving fresh should be treated with caution. Every single winner in the last 12 years had at least one run in the 77 days before the festival.

Queen Mother Champion Chase
A race where it pays to be wary as a punter. Only four of the last 12 winners have been sent off favourite, although 11 of the last 12 where in the top three in the betting. Despite the relatively poor record of favourites in the race, it is worth noting that 11 of the last 12 winners has at least won a Grade 1 chase.

Cheltenham Festival day 2 ground and weather

Underfoot on the Old Course, around which every race on Wednesday takes place, the going is rated as good to soft. No rain is forecast for Wednesday during the race programme although some showers could roll through in the morning.

Betting on Cheltenham?

There’s a lot of competition between bookmakers for customers during the festival and they will often run their best promotions of the year, especially earlier in the week. Take a look at these Cheltenham betting offers to find free bets to use throughout the week.

How to watch Cheltenham Festival day 2

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the first five races of the day on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 12.45pm GMT every day until 5pm GMT. The races can also be streamed via ITVX. There is a preview show each morning from 9am GMT to 10am GMT which is shown on ITV4 and ITVX.

The final race of each day will not be shown on ITV but will be live on Racing TV. Subscriptions for the channel, which shows every race from the Festival, are available through Sky and Virgin Media and online through its website and app.