13:45 Cheltenham

We welcome the second day of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival, and I’ll be on hand to try and navigate you through the ITV7 this week, where you would win up to £100,000 if you were able to pick seven winners from the selected races. Entries must be made by 13:30 each day ahead of the competition. 

Best of luck. 

Ile Atlantique

The Grade 1 Gallagher Novices' Hurdle (Race 1) should be a straight-forward start if the form of yesterday’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle is anything to go by. Ballyburn comfortably beat Slade Steel last time out. 

However, I’ll take a chance on his stablemate, ILE ATLANTIQUE. He was unlucky to be mugged on the line last time out, and his trainer, Willie Mullins, has had this race mapped out for him. With conditions to suit, he can hopefully cause a minor upset in the opener. 

13:50 Huntingdon

Politacus

The Follow Us On X At BetRhino Mares' Handicap Hurdle (Race 2) is the first of three races at Huntingdon in today’s ITV7. It has a wide-open feel about it, but POLITACUS could leave previous form behind her and emerge as a serious contender at the business end of this race. 

This will be her easiest assignment over hurdles, and despite failing to translate her bumper form to this sphere so far, she is worth another roll of the dice. Her fourth-place finish behind Dysart Enos in a Grade 2 race at Aintree remains a standout piece of form. 

14:30 Cheltenham

Fact To File

In the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase (Race 3), I am struggling to see past FACT TO FILE. He is my best bet of the day, and the form of his latest win over Gaelic Warrior in a Grade 1 race at Leopardstown has worked out really well, given that the latter hammered his rivals in the Arkle yesterday. 

Willie Mullins has continually spoken very highly of this seven-year-old, and a special performance could be forthcoming over this longer distance, which should really suit. 

14:30 Huntingdon

Jour d’Evasion

The second of three ITV7 races at Huntingdon is the Read Henry Brooke On Blog RhinoBet Novices' Hurdle (Race 4). Inedit Star sets the standard based on rating and form in France, but his latest finishing was alarming, and he’ll do well to beat JOUR D’EVASION. 

Henry Daly has been among the winners of late, and this five-year-old returned a comfortable winner at Ludlow just under two weeks ago. He should be competitive.

15:15 Cheltenham

Guard Your Dreams

A mass field will assemble for the Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (Race 5). The one I am going to take a chance on is the former Grade 2 winner, GUARD YOUR DREAMS. 

The eight-year-old has been well beaten in his last couple of starts, but he has proven form on this ground and gets into this race with a nice weight and mark. 

This race tends to go to a horse with a touch of class, and he certainly has a bit of class about him when he’s in the mood, so he’s the choice at a whopping price. 

Recommended Bet: 0.5pt E/W, 28/1 (Six Places)

15:10 Huntingdon

Jackpot Cash

Sean Bowen will be hoping he’s among the winners at Huntingdon, with his main ride being JACKPOT CASH in the Daily Cheltenham Offers At Rhino.Bet Maiden Hurdle (Race 6).

Evan Williams’ charge has improved with each start and shaped a lot better than the beaten margin suggested when third last time out. He should do a lot better and could open his account. 

16:00 Cheltenham

El Fabiolo

The final race in the ITV7 is the big race of the day, the Champion Chase (Race 7). EL FABIOLO has conquered every single rival over fences to date and was so impressive in last season’s Arkle at this meeting. 

The seven-year-old surely has more to come; he won’t mind conditions, and his trainer and jockey have won this race for the last two years. He can confirm his superiority over Jonbon by extending his unbeaten record.