Cheltenham Festival Day 2 Lucky 15 Tip on Wednesday

Cheltenham Day 2 Lucky 15 Tips

Salver - 14:00
Jingko Blue - 14:40 
Pied Piper - 15:20
Ballysax Hank - 16:40

Best price 28391/1 with bet365.

0.5pts ew stake advised.

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Salver - 14:00

Best Original Odds: 33/1
Shortest Live Odds: 20/1
Swing: 23.53%
Best Price: 25/1

At a big price, Salver could be worth chancing to outrun his odds if things fall his way. The Gary Moore-trained runner arrives in good heart after landing a Grade 2 at Windsor, scoring with plenty in hand and suggesting there is still more improvement to come as he gains experience.

His earlier run in the Kauto Star Novices' Chase can also be upgraded. On that occasion he was pushed along much earlier than ideal in an attempt to get involved with the winner Kitzbuhel, which ultimately left him vulnerable late on. The way that race unfolded didn’t suit, but it still hinted that he belongs in this level of company.

A longer trip and slightly easier ground should both play to his strengths, as he appears to be the type who improves as stamina comes more into play. His next run suggested that too, when he was ridden with more patience and finished his race far more strongly.

With Caoilin Quinn in the saddle, Salver looks overpriced compared to rivals such as Wendigo in the betting. If building on his recent progress and getting a race run to suit, he has the potential to surprise a few and get seriously involved.

Jingko Blue - 14:40 

Best Original Odds: 9/1

Shortest Live Odds: 5/1

Swing: 25%

Best Price: 6/1

Jingko Blue looks an interesting contender in the BetMGM Handicap Hurdle, with the profile of a horse who could still have more to offer off his current mark. The seven-year-old has been lightly raced this season, with just two runs under his belt, which suggests he could arrive here fresher than many of his rivals and ready to peak at the right time.

His latest effort in the Relkeel Hurdle reads well in this company, where he finished second to Kabral du Mathan, a horse set to take his chance in the Stayers' Hurdle later in the week. Dropping back into handicap company after competing at that level looks a significant positive, particularly as he now gets the chance to exploit what appears to be a workable mark.

Course form is another tick in the box. Jingko Blue was second at Cheltenham in January, proving he handles the track well, and he also has a previous victory at Windsor to his name. The drying ground should play to his strengths too, and his French-bred pedigree often points to horses who can thrive in races like this.

Trainer Nicky Henderson enjoyed success yesterday and has a strong record targeting races like this during the week, so confidence around the yard will be high. With several factors in his favour and odds around 11/1, Jingko Blue makes plenty of appeal as a horse capable of improving again and getting seriously involved if putting in a clean round of jumping.

Pied Piper - 15:20

Best Original Odds: 22/1

Shortest Live Odds: 10/1

Swing: 43.48%

Best Price: 12/1

Pied Piper looks overpriced for this contest given the level of class he brings and his excellent record at the track. Gordon Elliott’s gelding has consistently run well here, with form figures of 131232, including a close second while conceding a big weight in October, which highlights just how effective he is around Cheltenham.

He arrives after finishing 10 lengths behind Favori De Champdou at Leopardstown, but that run may not tell the full story, particularly as he now receives an 11lb swing in the weights with that rival. If the race develops into the steady early tempo that often unfolds in this discipline, his turn of foot could become a major asset.

There is a question over the trip on his first attempt at this test, but his pedigree hints he may stay further, and the drying ground should play to his strengths. Carrying a light racing weight also gives him a chance to travel comfortably before being produced late.

Ballysax Hank - 16:40

Best Original Odds: 14/1

Shortest Live Odds: 8/1

Swing: 20%

Best Price: 11/1

Ballysax Hank looks an appealing each-way contender in this competitive handicap and may be capable of bouncing back to his best under the right conditions. The Fergal O'Brien-trained runner showed plenty of quality last summer when producing a dominant performance to land a Grade 3 at Market Rasen Racecourse, powering clear to score by five lengths.

He also proved he can compete at a higher level when finishing second by a head in a Grade 1 in the United States in October, a performance that highlights the level of ability he possesses on his day. While his last couple of runs have been slightly below that standard, they may well have been part of a plan to bring him to the boil for this race.

Conditions look set to suit much better this time around. His most recent start came on soft ground, where he raced a little too freely before fading late over 2m1f, but the drying ground should play much more to his strengths, as evidenced by his Market Rasen success. The likely strong pace should also help him settle and allow his stamina to come into play.

A change of rider to James Bowen catches the eye, and with Ballysax Hank running off the same mark in this Class 1 handicap, he looks capable of being far more competitive. With five places on offer and odds around 11/1, he shapes as a solid each-way proposition with the ability to get seriously involved if things fall his way.