In his unmissable column our ace tipster has scoured the second day of the Cheltenham Festival for the best value and has three recommendations
Bring out your Beastly side for the Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual. RELEASE THE BEAST (4.40) looks well suited to the demands of this competitive 2m handicap chase. He had some useful novice form last season and kicked off this term with a decent effort when runner-up at Wexford in October.
The 2m3f distance and lack of race fitness probably cost him the victory and he ran even better when second behind Addragole in a competitive Leopardstown contest on Boxing Day. There’s no doubting his potential and it’s interesting his trainer Paul Nolan puts a hood on him for the first time. Have 1pt each-way at 10-1. Sky Bet is paying out on six places.
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QUILIXIOS (4.00) hasn’t run since falling at the last in the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase 12 months ago. He was the only danger to Marine Nationale when he came down and he would have probably finished a gallant second if he had stayed on his feet.
It might not seem a good preparation to miss the whole of the last year but Henry de Bromhead’s hope has a superb record when returning from a break. He beat Marine Nationale at Naas on his first start of last season and he’d made a successful chase debut off the back of a 20-month gap the previous year.
With serious question marks against the main contenders, it is worth chancing that he can perform to his best today. He’s also got plenty of other crucial Festival form having also won the 2021 Triumph Hurdle. Have 1pt each-way at 10-1.
BECKETT ROCK (2.40) hasn’t really taken to fences this season and he should be happier returned to hurdles in the BetMGM Cup. He was a creditable sixth in this race last year despite having to pick his way through traffic turning into the home straight.
That was a decent effort to run so well in this competitive handicap on just his sixth race and he should be coming to his peak now. He’s also lower in the weights this time due to his disappointing spell chasing. Have 1pt each-way at 25-1. Plenty of firms are offering six places.