BetUKBetUK

Cheltenham Festival: Day Two Tips

On Wednesday of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival, we will see the second day of racing with the premium event of the day being the Queen Mother Champion Chase. One of the most popular days for online sports betting, the second day boasts seven fantastic races where several high-odds winners have made their name at the festival. The racing starts at 13:30 with the Ballymore Novices Hurdle and ends with the final race at 17:30 with the Weatherbys Champion Bumper, the most prestigious flat race in the Horse Racing National Hunt calendar. Day two features races on both the old course and the new course, so be sure to check out which course is featured in the race you're betting on.

Ballymore Novices' Hurdle Tips & Predictions

Ballymore Novices' Hurdle Betting Tips

Before assembling your best Ballymore Novices' Hurdle betting tips, it may prove helpful to get a brief breakdown of the history of this race, how it came to be, and why it remains such a popular betting event.

Open to horses aged four and above, the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle takes place over 2 miles and five furlongs over ten hurdles.

Eight of the last eleven runnings of this race have been won by an Irish horse, with four of the past six winners coming in as short-priced favourites.

Ballymore Novices Hurdle Betting Odds

1.30 - Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1, 2m5f)

Number of Runners: 8

**Favourite: Ballyburn - 2/5

The Gallagher lacks the same strength in depth we often see and the door is open for BALLYBURN to justify prohibitively short odds following an impressive Grade 1 strike over two miles at the Dublin Racing Festival. On pedigree this extra five furlongs should suit him even better.

Ile Atlantique, who is a smart performer in his own right and almost struck at the highest level when last seen, is taken to follow home his stablemate.

Selection: Ballyburn to win - 2/5

Understanding the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle

A race brimming with classic match-ups and encounters down the years, the inaugural event was held in 1971 and is now the first race of the second day at Cheltenham.

The race is often seen as a benchmark for future Champion Hurdle contenders and can count the likes of Envoi Allen (2020), Samcro (2018), and Faugheen (2014) as those finishing first past the post.

Some see this race as one of the strongest of the four Novices Hurdles at the 2024 festival.

Top Ballymore Novices' Hurdle Contenders

Our Cheltenham Ballymore Novices hurdle tips will centre around a couple of frontrunners and one bigger-priced sort in what looks set to be a highly competitive race.

Standing tall at the top of the market is Ballymore, trained by Willie Mullins, who has a phenomenal record in this race, with six winners to his name.

At the time of writing, it is another Mullins horse who is sat in second place. However, it is expected that Ballyburn and Mystical Power will race in different races rather than against each other as Mullins looks to claim victory in both races.

It may also be worth watching Readin Tommy Wrong, trained by Mullins. The 6-year-old edged past the competition in the grade 1 novice hurdle at Naas last time out and the Maiden hurdle at Cork before that. It doesn't matter how they win, just that they do and Readin' Tommy Wrong is definitely worth a look after wins in his last four.

Ballymore Novices' Hurdle Betting Tips

Types of Bets Available

Looking to act on one of your Cheltenham Ballymore Novices Hurdle tips? Check out the different types of bets available below.

Win Bet Fancy a horse to win a race outright? This is the bet for you! You are punting on your fancy to cross the finishing line first, and you will get winnings according to the odds.

Each Way Bet Double the stake for a chance at winnings, even if your horse doesn't finish first past the post. One half of your stake goes on the Win Part, and the other half on the Place Part, which refers to 2nd or 3rd-placed finishers. In some instances, including special offers on the biggest races, Place Parts can extend to up to seven places. Most races will reduce each-way odds for the place part by pre-defined amounts. For example, if you back a horse £5 each way (total stake £10) at odds of 5/1 with a 1/5 pre-race definition, your returns will amount to £10. If it wins, you will win £40 in total.

Place Bet Your returns will only amount to the odds of the horse finishing in the places. That means you are getting much-reduced odds in comparison to the Win Bet. It's a much safer flutter, but the returns are greatly reduced.

Strategies for betting on the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle

Players can follow many strategies to maximise their chances of returning a winning bet from the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle. Here are a few of them:

Assessing The Form of the Horses The Cheltenham Festival is often called the greatest show on turf and celebrates the best in the business. But many of these runners have worked hard throughout the season to earn a right to race here.

That's why assessing the recent form of all horses is crucial before landing on a pick. Watch replays of recent performances, check out the record of the jockey booked for riding, and look into its pedigree to give you a clear picture of the horse.

Identifying the Value Bets The best value bets in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle will revolve around the horses you deem overpriced. Has the handicapper been generous? Does the rating make sense?

Bankroll management Like all gambling, setting deposit limits, loss limits, and time-out safeguards are critical to ensuring a safe and fun Cheltenham experience. Only spend what you can afford to lose.

Factors to Consider When Looking for Tips

Plenty of different aspects of a race require contemplation! Some of them include:

Ground Conditions Some horses prefer give in the ground. If you are backing a horse that thrives in stamina-testing slogs, you will be hoping for heavy or soft racing ground. If your horse is a speedster, you will be looking for some dry weather in the build-up to the festival.

Many horses can act on all types of turf, but ground conditions represent a crucial consideration for bettors ahead of the festival.

Weight Carried by the Horse Before the race, a handicapper assigns weight to horses to give each runner an equal chance of winning. In most cases, the best horses can see off additional weight and remain competitive at the head of affairs.

Sometimes you may think the handicapper has got it wrong, which can present an opportunity. That's why engaging in detailed assessments of your horse is crucial before any race.

Jockey's Riding Style Some jockeys like to bide their time on their horse before unleashing it down the home straight. Others like to lead from the front and attempt to wear down the field.

Consider if the jockey booked for your horse has the riding style to match its recent form.

Ballymore Novices' Hurdle Tips, Trends and Statistics

Historical Trends and Statistics

Six-year-olds have won the Ballymore in 15 of the last 17 runnings of this race.
Only one winner has returned odds of 8/1 or more since 2007. No winner of the Ballymore Hurdle has been rated below 146 over the previous ten years.

Analysis of Recent Results A race whereby class is a factor, and it will take some going to find a winner in 2024, given the vast swathes of quality on show.

How to Use Trends and Statistics to Pick Your Tips

Ultimately, your interpretation of the recent form of the horse, the rating, the jockey, the ground, the conditions, and much more should come under the umbrella of your betting strategy.

No definite method guarantees a profit, but in-depth research is vital to giving you the best chance possible of succeeding.

*ODDS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Ballymore Novices Hurdle FAQ

When is the Ballymore Novices Hurdle?

The Ballymore Novices Hurdle takes place at 1.30 pm on Wednesday 13th March.

Who is the Favourite to Win the 2024 Renewal?

The current favourite to win the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle is the Willie Mullins-trained Ballyburn.

Who Won the 2023 Renewal of the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle?

The short-priced Impaire Et Passe won last time out ahead of Gaelic Warrior and Champ Kiely as Willie Mullins picked up a 1-2-3 in this race last year.

What is the Distance of the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle?

Horses battle it out over a testing 2 mile 5-furlong course.

Who is the Most Successful Trainer in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle?

Willie Mullins has trained six winners in this race – Impaire Et Passe (2023), Sir Gerhard (2022), Yorkhill (2016), Faugheen (2014), Mikael d'Haguenet (2009), and Fiveforthree (2008).

Brown Advisory Novices Chase Tips & Predictions

Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase Tips

The second race on day two of the Cheltenham Festival is the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (also known as the Broadway Novices Chase or the RSA Chase). It takes place over 3m½f on the Old Course and it is open to novice chasers. 

A maximum field of 20 runners can line up for the Grade One contest and this year the entries are dominated by Irish runners, with Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins set to saddle some of the leading contenders.

Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase Betting Odds

Mullins holds the record for the most wins in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase with five triumphs. His latest success came in 2021 with Monkfish. The last horse to win this race and then prevail in the Cheltenham Gold Cup a year later was Lord Windermere, the winner of the Blue Riband event in 2014.

Brown Advisory Novices' Chase Betting Tip

Number of Runners: 6

Favourite: Fact to File - 4/5

Willie Mullins is responsible for another short-priced favourite with Fact To File dominating the Brown Advisory market. However, this is no walk in the park as he embarks over a new distance with his stamina to prove.

There is no guarantee he will stay and a war of attrition makes horses like Stay Away Fay and MONTY’S STAR of interest. While Stay Away Fay has achieved more, preference is for Monty’s Star, who might prove to be the classier operator. The stage is set for a big run.

Selection: Monty’s Star

Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase FAQs

Who has won the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase?

YearWinnerTrainer & Jockey
2023The Real WhackerSam Twiston-Davies & Patrick Neville
2022L'Homme PresseCharlie Deutsch & Venetia Williams
2021MonkfishPaul Townend & Willie Mullins
2020ChampBarry Geraghty & Nicky Henderson
2019TopofthegameHarry Cobden & Paul Nicholls
2018Presenting PercyDavy Russell & Patrick G Kelly

When is the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase?

The Brown Advisory Novices' Chase takes place at 2.10pm on the second day of the Cheltenham Festival.

What distance is the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase?

The Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase is run on the Old Course at the Cheltenham Racecourse and has a total distance of about 3 miles and 80 yards or approximately 4,900 metres.

What is the prize money for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase?

The prize money for the Brown Advisory Novices Chase is £175,000 with the winner of the race getting £98,473 of that purse.

Champion Bumper Tips & Predictions

2024 Champion Bumper Tips

The Champion Bumper is the only National Hunt Flat race at the Cheltenham Festival. It is the final race on day two of the meeting. It is open to horses ages between four and six, and it takes place over 2m½f on the Old Course.

Champion Bumper Betting Odds

A maximum field of 24 runners can feature in the leading National Hunt Flat race of the season. It has been dominated by Irish trainer Willie Mullins over the last couple of decades, and he has been successful a record 12 times, including in 2022 when Facile Vega gave him a third win in four years.

Most Successful Horse: No Horse has won this race more than once.

Most Successful Jockey: Ruby Walsh & Patrick Mullins

Most Successful Trainer: Willie Mullins (4 wins)

5.30 - Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Grade 1, 2m)

Willie Mullins is responsible for nine runners in the Champion Bumper and it is significant that Patrick Mullins has chosen to ride Jasmin De Vaux.

However, Simon Munir and Isaac Souede also have a fascinating contender in C’EST TA CHANCE.

His short-head defeat on his rules debut in January was given a big boost by the winner following up easily and he looks a strong stayer. You Oughta Know is a big player on his Leopardstown trial second as well.

Selection: C’Est Ta Chance

Champion Bumper FAQs

Who has won the Champion Bumper?

The most recent Champion Bumper winners can be found below.

YearWinnerTrainer & Jockey
2023A Dream to ShareJohn Gleeson & John Kiely
2022Facile VegaPatrick Mullins & Willie Mullins
2021Sir GerhardRachael Blackmore & Willie Mullins
2020Ferny HollowPaul Townend & Willie Mullins
2019Envoi AllenJamie Codd & Gordon Elliott
2018RelegateKatie Walsh & Willie Mullins

When is the 2024 Champion Bumper?

The Grade 1 National Hunt flat race, this year's Champion Bumper is the final race of the second day of the Cheltenham Festival, starting at 17:30 on Wednesday 13th March 2024.

What distance is the Champion Bumper?

Run on the Old Course, the Grand Annual Chase? has a distance of 2 miles and 1/2 furlong, this is the equivalent of 3,298 metres.

What is the prize money for the Champion Bumper?

The total purse for the 2024 Champion Bumper is £80,000 with the winner of the race taking home £45,560.

Champion Chase Tips & Predictions

Queen Mother Champion Chase Betting Tips

The second day of the Cheltenham Festival is all about the Queen Mother Champion Chase. One of the most competitive races expected to take place at 2024 Cheltenham Festival, many horses will have this race identified as the focal point of the their season and will be looking to win. With that in mind, we'll have all of the latest Cheltenham betting offers for this feature race in our UK Horse Racing betting markets, as well as all the odds and betting tips on every race at Cheltenham.

Champion Chase Betting Odds

About The Queen Mother Champion Chase

A Grade 1 race held annually at the Cheltenham Festival, the Queen Mother Champion Chase is the shortest chase race at the Cheltenham Festival. Contested over two miles, it's usually the destination for the quickest chasers in training, and with the race being so short, one false move could scupper a horse's chances of passing the post first.

Run on the old course at Cheltenham, The Champion Chase is the feature race on Ladies Day or the second day of the Cheltenham Festival, and this year it looks set to be a face-off between superstar chasers El Fabiolo, Jonbon and Edwardstone, all of whom will look to add this pinnacle race to their list of wins.

Queen Mother Champion Chase Betting Tips

In the 2024 Cheltenham Festival build-up, we'll have all of the top UK Horse Racing Betting markets that feature all of the top Cheltenham betting odds , including Champion Chase betting. Alongside those, our resident tipster will be on hand to offer betting tips each day of the festival and pick out their top selection for this race.

If his jumping holds up EL FABIOLO should prove too good in the Champion Chase. He isn’t the most natural jumper of a fence, but that hasn’t stopped him from winning all of his chases with any amount in hand.

Old foe Jonbon is a player on his best form, but he lacks El Fabiolo’s class and disappointed last time in the Clarence House, while Edwardstone should get plenty out of their comfort zone if jumping with the same enthusiasm as he did when dominating up front in the Game Spirit last time.

Selection: El Fabiolo

Queen Mother Champions Chase Recent Winners

YearHorseWinning Trainer
2023EnergumeneWillie Mullins
2022EnergumeneWillie Mullins
2021Put The Kettle OnHenry de Bromhead
2020PolitologuePaul Nicholls
2019AltiorNicky Henderson
2018AltiorNicky Henderson
2017Special TiaraHenry de Bromhead
2016Sprinter SacreNicky Henderson
2015Dodging BulletsPaul Nicholls
2014Sire De GrugyGary Moore
2013Sprinter SacreNicky Henderson
2012Finian's RainbowNicky Henderson
2011Sizing EuropeHenry de Bromhead

Queen Mother Champion Chase Top Trainers

When browsing the Queen Mother Champion Chase racecards, two of the trainer's punters keep their eyes peeled for Nicky Henderson and Paul Nicholls, who top the trainer rankings with five wins apiece in the race. At the 2022 Cheltenham Festival, both trainers could have the horse racing betting market favourites come race day.

Top Trainer Stats

TrainerR-W-P Stats
Paul Nicholls28-5-8
Nicky Henderson12-5-6
Henry de Bromhead17-3-8
Willie Mullins15-2-5
Alan King6-1-3
Mrs John Harrington3-1-1

Queen Mother Champion Chase Top Jockeys

As well as looking at the top trainers for the Queen Mother Champion Chase, one of the other trends people tend to follow is winning jockeys, and in recent years, it's been Nico De Boinville who has a strong record in the race thanks to Altior picking up two victories.

Top Jockey Stats

TrainerR-W-P Stats
Nico de Boinville4-3-3
Paul Townend8-2-4
Jamie Moore4-1-1
Sam Twiston-Davies3-1-1
Aidan Coleman3-1-2
Harry Skelton3-1-2
Paddy Brennan10-0-3

Queen Mother Champion Chase Betting Trends

When browsing the UK horse racing online markets and looking at the Queen Mother Champion betting odds, it's also wise to look at the betting trends that could influence the markets and help you make an educated bet.

The winner of the this race has never had odds of 16/1 or higher, which rules out 42% of previous runners. All 20 winners have also come off a break of between 32 and 95 days, achieved an RPR of 159+ during the season and had odds of no more than 8/1 in their last win, which was a non-handicap race.

Queen Mother Champion Chase FAQs

History of the Queen Mother Champion Chase

The Queen Mother Champion Chase is the newest of the four highlight races contested at the Cheltenham Festival. Originally run in 1959, the race was given its name in 1980. The Queen Mother was a well-known supporter of jumps racing, and Cheltenham owners dedicated this race to celebrate the fact.

Who has won the Queen Mother Champion Chase the most?

In the '80s, one of the more successful Champion Chase runners started his winning streak. Badsworth Boy won in 1983, 1984 and 1985 and remains the horse with the most wins in the race.

Who is the most successful trainer in the Queen Mother Champion Chase?

With six wins between 1960 and 1970, Tom Dreaper is the name that tops the trainer rankings.

How long is the Queen Mother Champion Chase?

The distance of the Queen Mother Champion Chase is approximately two miles in distance.

What is the prize money for the Queen Mother Champion Chase?

The prize pot on offer for the Queen Mother Champion Chase is £400,000 with the £225,080.

What time is the Queen Mother Champion Chase?

The race is featured on day two of the Cheltenham Festival and will get underway at 15:30.

How many runners are there in the Queen Mother Champion Chase?

The number of runners in the 2024 renewal of the Champion Chase will not be confirmed until the day of the race itself. However, seven runners took part in the 2023 and 2022 runnings of the race.

Is the Champion Chase broadcast on TV?

Like all of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival, the Queen Mother Champion Chase will be broadcast on ITV.

Where can I bet on the Champion Chase?

Right here at Bet UK! We'll have all of the latest 2024 Cheltenham Festival odds in our UK Horse Racing markets, so whether you're backing the favourite or an outsider, we've got you covered.

Who won the 2023 Queen Mother Champion Chase?

The 2023 running of this race was won by mare Energumene.

*All odds from Bet UK’s online betting markets correct at the time of writing.

Coral Cup Tips & Predictions

Coral Cup Tips

At the Cheltenham Festival, there are many different categories of races, and some of the most popular are those which fall into the handicap category, which means horses will run at different weights.

These types of Cheltenham Festival races provide bettors with the chance to follow the bigger-priced horses, and one race that stands out on the festival's second day is The Coral Cup.

Coral Cup Betting Odds

A hard-fought race where many of the biggest surprises of the week are thrown up, The Coral Cup is famous for providing winners with odds of 20/1 or above. However, if you're unsure of which horse to pick as your winner of the Coral Cup handicap hurdle, following betting tips which have already picked out the key stats and trends, could help you browse the ante post and starting price markets.

2.50 - Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (2m5f)

A typically tricky running and the suggestion at a big price is GUARD YOUR DREAMS, who finished seventh in this as a five-year-old and seemed to find two miles inadequate in a couple of Grade 2 hurdles this season on his return from a long absence.

He is back on a tempting mark of 137. The handicapper admitted to finding Sa Majeste a tricky horse to assess and he could be anything, so is of obvious interest.

Doddiethegreat merits a second look on this step up in trip with his Betfair Hurdle fourth at Newbury working out well, albeit the form of Nicky Henderson's stable is a slight concern.

Selection: Guard Your Dreams

Understanding The Coral Cup

Ran on the second day of the Cheltenham Festival, which is also called Ladies Day, the Coral Cup is a national hunt handicap hurdle race which will is open to horses aged four years and older. Classed as a Grade 3 race, it's the third race on the card and is contested on the old course. The race will take in ten hurdles across a distance of 2 miles 5 furlongs in which a max of 26 horses are expected to take part.

Established in 1993, the Coral Cup is so-called due to a sponsorship deal for the race's entire history. A premier handicap originally just named as a handicap hurdle, it was upgraded to Grade 3 status in 1999, which offers even more prestige to the race.

Partnered with Imperial Cup, which takes place at Sandown a week earlier, any horse which goes on to win The Coral Cup will be given a bonus. However, this is a feat which has only been completed once in the past 29 renewals of the race.

Top Coral Cup Betting Tips

One of the things many punters will notice when browsing our Coral Cup tips for the Cheltenham Festival is that it offers punters the chance to have a bigger gamble on an each-way horse. In the last ten renewals of the race, a big-priced winner of the Coral Cup can be highlighted, so these are always worth taking a look at in the market.

Before making your selection on a horse, it’s important to check out their most recent form. Many horses will have picked up wins or each-way placings heading into the race, and these will be your first starting point in terms of horses in strong form.

A key Coral Cup contender who stands out in the betting is Harry Fry-trained Might I, who finished second on this course back in January and will only need to increase the distance slightly in this race to have a winning chance.

Another thing which can affect the performance record of a horse is weight, and a lower weight could be optimal if the going conditions are not to the horses liking or if they’re not suited to the distance of the race.

If you prefer to select a horse for their carrying weight, one runner which stands out with strong form is Irish Hill. With two recent wins, including a handicap hurdle at Ascot, he’s expected to carry 10st 5lb, and should be extra value in the betting markets.

Top Coral Cup Trainer and Jockeys

When it comes to the winning trainers of the Coral Cup, the spoils are split almost evenly between Great Britain, with ten wins and Ireland, with nine. The remaining victory in the last twenty renewals goes to France.

Across those victories, the leading trainer in the Coral Cup is Nicky Henderson, who has managed to land four winners, one of those being with outside chance William Henry. His record makes him a strong chance in our Coral Cup tips, with his runner Theatre Glory heading to this race in good form.

As the stats show, Irish trainers should also be on your radar for the Coral Cup, with Gordon Elliott taking three wins in the race, the most recent with a 50/1 chance of Commander Of Fleet. The Irish runners have also featured some successful jockeys, six of the last seven races have been won by Irish jockeys, and the most successful jockey in the race is Davy Russell.

How To Bet on The Coral Cup

After browsing our selection odds for the Coral Cup, you may be reading to place your bets on the race. However, the starting price of a horse will change as the race approaches, so this should always be taken into account as you place look to place your bet. Before you place your bets in our Coral Cup market, we’ve listed the betting types, so you’ll be informed whether you’re betting in the ante post market or just before the race.

Type of Bet

Win Bet

This bet is available on all our Coral Cup tips, and your bet will only win if they pass the post first. Our winning selection for this Irish Hill who is currently odds of 16/1 in the betting market.

Each Way Bet

The each-way betting market for the feature races at the Cheltenham Festival allows you to bet on which horse you feel may finish either first or the runner-up positions.. It’s these bets which offer punters the chance to choose larger-priced odds. Following the betting trends, a strong chance is Mill Green, who is trained by Nicky Henderson.

Strategies for betting on the Coral Cup

Assessing The Form Of A Horse

Before placing any bets, our Coral Cup tips will identify how the horses with the best form. These will be identified by the numbers listed on the right of the race card. Horses who have managed to land a win or place in their most recent wins will be higher in the betting odds.

Setting a budget

When betting on horse racing and following our Coral Cup tips, one of the most important strategies to follow is a betting budget. Setting your budget means you can still come out on top for the day, even if you don’t select a winner for every race.

Factors To Consider When Placing Your Coral Cup Bets

Going Conditions

The going conditions for each race can change each day depending on the weather conditions. Many horses will prefer to run on good, soft or heavy ground, so when looking at their form, it will important to identify if they can compete successfully on the ground, as this can also alter their odds within the Coral Cup betting markets.

Weight Conditions

The Coral Cup is a handicap chase, and this means the horses who participate in the race and feature in our Coral Cup tips will all carry a different weight. Those with a lower weight could have an advantage, especially on the heavier ground, as they will have less to carry.

Coral Cup Key Trends

Before placing any bets on Cheltenham Festival races, there are many Coral Cup trends which can not only influence your decisions but also Coral Cup betting tips. Many key trends point towards recent winners and those who have specifically won over hurdles.

Within the last 20 renewals, there are multiple trends which can help you select a winner, and we’ve highlighted some of them below:

  • 79% of the most recent runners in the race have between 2-6 career wins over hurdle obstacles
  • 89% of the most recent winners, and runners did also not run at Cheltenham last time out. While this points towards inexperience, it also offers an advantage as they have run on different ground conditions.
  • 75% of runners who also participate and go on to win within this race have also won within their last five starts.

Where to put on your Coral Cup tips

The Coral Cup is one of the most influential handicap races at the Cheltenham Festival, and if you’re looking for the chance to back a bigger-priced winner, this could be your chance, given that the stats support horses with the larger odds of landing a win. If you’re looking to make an informed betting choice, then why not take a look through all our Coral Cup tips?

Coral Cup FAQs

What day is the Coral Cup 2024?

The date of the Coral Cup is Wednesday 13th March, which is the second day of the Cheltenham Festival.

Is the Coral Cup a handicap?

Yes, the Coral Cup is a handicap race where horses will all run with different weights.

What is the distance of the Coral Cup?

The distance of the Coral Cup will be around two miles and five furlongs on the old course.

How many runners are in the Coral Cup?

There will be a max of 26 runners within the Coral Cup

How many hurdles will be jumped in the Coral Cup?

During the running of the race 10 hurdles will be jumped.

How much is the prize money for the Coral Cup?

The prize money of the Coral Cup is approximately £100,000

How Can I Bet on the Coral Cup?

Whether you're browsing the ante post market or looking to place a bet just before the race, we have all of the odds available at Bet UK.

Cross Country Chase Tips & Predictions

Cross Country Chase Tips

The Cross Country Chase is a Steeplechase on day two of the Cheltenham Festival and is run over a mammoth 3 miles and 6 furlongs.

In a race of this magnitude, both in length and field size, researching your Cross Country Chase betting tips is essential in having the best chance of landing a return from this staple of the greatest show on turf.

Cross Country Chase Betting Odds

4.10 - Glenfarclas Chase (3m5f)

Henry de Bromhead and owner Barry Maloney could be in for a big day as along with Monty's Star they are also responsible for MINELLA INDO in the Glenfarclas Chase. Minella Indo loves it as the Festival, boasting form figures of 1212P in Grade 1s there.

He took to this style of racing impressively when fourth off a big weight here in December and renews rivalries with those horses off much better terms. Galvin and Delta Work are other former top-class operators of note and will not be far away.

Selection: Minella Indo

Understanding the Cross Country Chase

The Cross Country Chase is one of the newer additions to the Cheltenham Festival, having been introduced in 2005. Initially a handicap race, organisers switched it to a conditions race from 2016 onwards.

Finding a winner in this race is hazardous work, but you can seek out value if you look hard enough. Due to the length of the course, you will need some luck in running, but a definite element of importance is stamina.

Top Cross Country Chase Contenders

Currently, the top of the market is a close-run thing between Delta Work (evens) and Minella Indo.

Former Grand National winner Minella Indo hasn't set the world alight in recent races and has arguably been on a disappointing run since the beginning of 2023. So, the favourite certainly doesn't inspire confidence. However, in its only win, it defeated Delta Work who has also underperformed since Cheltenham 2023.

As for the horses that come into the race in decent form, Coko Beach has finished in the top three in it's last four races since pulling up at the Grand National last April.

Meanwhile at higher odds, Farceur Du Large has won it's last two races and will likely drop in the betting odds if it races in this event. However, we can't see it winning here.

Cross Country Chase Betting Tips

There are several bets to try your luck, including:

Win Bet Back a horse to finish first past the post and receive winnings according to the starting price.

Each Way Bet Get paid out if your horse wins OR finishes in the places set before the race begins. You will be required to double your Win Bet stake in order to place this bet.

Place Bet You are backing the horse to finish second, third, fourth, fifth etc, depending on the number of paid places in the race.

Strategies for finding tips on the Cross Country Chase

Having strategies when betting on horses is essential because it informs decisions, the potential to maximise winnings, and minimise losses. It involves many variables, including course conditions, the jockey's performance, the horse's age and form, and so much more.

Assessing the Form of the Horses

Look at past performances, including their recent form and festival track record. Scrutinise how they have handled the famous Cheltenham course conditions, their current fitness level and any recent injuries or illnesses that may hamper their performance. Consider the jockey and trainer, too, as they can have a huge influence on a horse's race performance.

How Do You Identify Value?

You can identify value by assessing the probability of an outcome and comparing it to the odds. If the odds are higher than your perception of an event happening, then you have uncovered value. It would help to consider other factors, such as form and statistics.

Bankroll Management

Ensure you set deposit and loss limits before the festival begins for the safest possible Cheltenham Festival experience.

Factors to Consider When Placing a Bet There are several important elements to factor in before placing your bet on the Cross Country Chase:

Ground Conditions

Ground conditions are critical. Soft or heavy ground makes it harder for horses to gain traction, which makes it better suited for those bred with stamina. Firm ground makes it easier for horses to gain speed. How Cheltenham is classified before the starting call will be crucial.

Weight Carried By The Horse

Generally, lighter-weighted horses are expected to have an advantage over their heavier counterparts as they will be able to carry their speed longer and have better acceleration.

Jockey's Riding Style

The horse's performance can depend on whether a jockey knows how to effectively use their whip and body weight to adhere to their tactics.

Some jockeys prefer a more aggressive style, while others use a hands-off and passive approach, but each race and specific horse requires different techniques to be successful.

Cross Country Chase Betting Trends and Statistics

  • Avoid records from horses in this race. Nine of the previous 11 winners of this race had not run during the last year's renewal.
  • In 13 of the previous 15 renewals of the Cross Country Chase, the winner had at least one race of 30 furlongs or more under their belt.
  • The winner in eight of the last ten races has been won by horses aged between 8 and 10.

How to Use Trends and Statistics to finalise your predictions

Using trends and statistics to inform your bets is a great way to improve your chances of winning. It doesn't guarantee success, but it increases the odds in your favour.

Remember, having your eggs in a row will give you the best shot at returning a winner from the Cross Country Chase.

Cross Country Chase Tips FAQs

When is the Cross Country Chase?

The Cross Country Chase takes place at 4.10 pm on Wednesday 13th March.

Who is the Favourite to Win the 2024 Renewal?

The current favourite to win the Cross Country Chase is Minella Indo trained by Henry de Bromhead

Who Won the 2023 Renewal of the Cross Country Chase?

The 2023 champion of this race was Delta Work, who became the third horse to win back-to-back renewals of this race. However, not even the mighty Tiger Roll was able to win the race three years in a row, Delta Work could tie the legendary horse by winning three renditions of the race in a row.

What is the Distance of the Cross Country Chase?

Horses battle it out over a gargantuan 3 mile 6-furlong course.

Who is the Most Successful Trainer in the Cross Country Chase?

Enda Bolger is the most successful trainer in the history of Cross Country Chase with five wins - Spot The Difference (2005), Heads On the Ground (2007), Garde Champetre (2008, 2009), Josies Orders (2016)

Grand Annual Handicap Chase Tips & Predictions

Grand Annual Handicap Chase Tips

The Grand Annual Handicap Chase is the penultimate race on day two of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival. It takes place over two miles, and it is one of the premier handicap contests at the four-day meeting.

Grand Annual Betting Odds

A maximum field of 20 runners will contest the race on the Old Course at Prestbury Park. They will jump 13 fences before finishing with the traditional uphill climb towards the finish line. 

Andy Dufresne is the highest-rated runner with an entry this year with a mark of 155, while Champion Trainer Paul Nicholls, who has won the race a record four times, is likely to be represented by Thyme White.

Most Successful Horse: Top Twenty & Dulwich (2 wins)

Most Successful Jockey: Graham Bradley (3 Wins)

Most Successful Trainer: Paul Nicholls (4 wins)

4.50 - Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (2m)

Harry Cobden is riding better than anyone in Britain right now and can notch a deserved Festival success with LIBBERTY HUNTER in the Grand Annual.

Libberty Hunter is improving rapidly and scored a shade cosily from Arkle hope Matata on testing ground at this course when last seen. If he continues to improve, the rest may struggle to deal with him.

Joseph O’Brien’s runners here must always be respected and the progressive Solness stands out as a possible Irish plot job.

Selection: Libberty Hunter

Tips for winning the Grand Annual Chase

Unfortunately for most bettors, picking a winner for the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual is incredibly difficult, which makes Grand Annual Chase tips an essential to anyone looking to bet on the event as it takes the tips and trends and gives you more of an incline to what horse may win the race. The Grand Annual Chase has a large number of horses entered into the race but only one horse can win the race at the end of the day and picking that horse, isn't easy.

Here are some of the trends ahead of the 2024 race.

  • 6/8 of the horses ridden by Davy Russell have placed.
  • Only 3/21 favourites have won this race in the last years.
  • 21/21 winners had 3 - 7 wins in their Career
  • 21/21 winners were less than 8/1 in their last win and never placed off odds bigger than 25/1.

Grand Annual Chase FAQs

Who has won the Grand Annual Chase?

In recent years, there have been a number of shock winners in the Grand Annual Chase, find the horses who have previously won this event below.

YearWinnerTrainer & Jockey
2023MaskadaDarragh O'Keeffe & Henry de Bromhead
2022Global CitizenKielan Woods & Ben Pauling
2021Sky PirateNick Scholfield & Jonjo O'Neill
2020Chosen MateDavy Russell & Gordon Elliott
2019Croco BayKielan Woods & Ben Case
2018Le PrezienBarry Geraghty & Paul Nicholls

Are there any other names for the Grand Annual Chase?

You may recognise the Grand Annual from the name 'Johnny Henderson Grand Annual'.

When is the Grand Annual Chase?

The Grand Annual Handicap Chase is the second last race on the Queen Mother Champion Chase day of the festival, starting at 16:50 on March 13th 2024.

What distance is the Grand Annual Chase?

Run on the Old Course, the Grand Annual Chase? has a distance of 3 miles and 1 furlong, this is the equivalent of 5,029 metres.

What is the prize money for the Grand Annual Chase?

The total purse for the 2024 Grand Annual Chase is £125,500 with the winner of the race taking home £70,338.

Cheltenham Festival Tips Day 2

It’s day two of the Cheltenham Festival and there are plenty more fascinating races for punters to get stuck into.

Wednesday’s card runs from 1.30pm - 5.30pm and is headlined by the Champion Chase (3.30pm), which is always a superb sight with top two-milers jumping at speed.

We've assessed the action across the card on Wednesday at Cheltenham and picked out our best bets.

1.30 - Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1, 2m5f)

The Gallagher lacks the same strength in depth we often see and the door is open for BALLYBURN to justify prohibitively short odds following an impressive Grade 1 strike over two miles at the Dublin Racing Festival. On pedigree this extra five furlongs should suit him even better.

Ile Atlantique, who is a smart performer in his own right and almost struck at the highest level when last seen, is taken to follow home his stablemate.

Selection: Ballyburn to win

2.10 - Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Grade 1, 3m½f)

Willie Mullins is responsible for another short-priced favourite with Fact To File dominating the Brown Advisory market. However, this is no walk in the park as he embarks over a new distance with his stamina to prove.

There is no guarantee he will stay and a war of attrition makes horses like Stay Away Fay and MONTY’S STAR of interest. While Stay Away Fay has achieved more, preference is for Monty’s Star, who might prove to be the classier operator. The stage is set for a big run.

Selection: Monty’s Star

2.50 - Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (2m5f)

A typically tricky running and the suggestion at a big price is GUARD YOUR DREAMS, who finished seventh in this as a five-year-old and seemed to find two miles inadequate in a couple of Grade 2 hurdles this season on his return from a long absence.

He is back on a tempting mark of 137. The handicapper admitted to finding Sa Majeste a tricky horse to assess and he could be anything, so is of obvious interest.

Doddiethegreat merits a second look on this step up in trip with his Betfair Hurdle fourth at Newbury working out well, albeit the form of Nicky Henderson's stable is a slight concern.

Selection: Guard Your Dreams

3.30 - Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1, 2m)

If his jumping holds up EL FABIOLO should prove too good in the Champion Chase. He isn’t the most natural jumper of a fence, but that hasn’t stopped him from winning all of his chases with any amount in hand.

Old foe Jonbon is a player on his best form, but he lacks El Fabiolo’s class and disappointed last time in the Clarence House, while Edwardstone should get plenty out of their comfort zone if jumping with the same enthusiasm as he did when dominating up front in the Game Spirit last time.

Selection: El Fabiolo

4.10 - Glenfarclas Chase (3m5f)

Henry de Bromhead and owner Barry Maloney could be in for a big day as along with Monty's Star they are also responsible for MINELLA INDO in the Glenfarclas Chase.

Minella Indo loves it as the Festival, boasting form figures of 1212P in Grade 1s there.

He took to this style of racing impressively when fourth off a big weight here in December and renews rivalries with those horses off much better terms. Galvin and Delta Work are other former top-class operators of note and will not be far away.

Selection: Minella Indo

4.50 - Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (2m)

Harry Cobden is riding better than anyone in Britain right now and can notch a deserved Festival success with LIBBERTY HUNTER in the Grand Annual.

Libberty Hunter is improving rapidly and scored a shade cosily from Arkle hope Matata on testing ground at this course when last seen. If he continues to improve, the rest may struggle to deal with him.

Joseph O’Brien’s runners here must always be respected and the progressive Solness stands out as a possible Irish plot job.

Selection: Libberty Hunter

5.30 - Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Grade 1, 2m)

Willie Mullins is responsible for nine runners in the Champion Bumper and it is significant that Patrick Mullins has chosen to ride Jasmin De Vaux.

However, Simon Munir and Isaac Souede also have a fascinating contender in C’EST TA CHANCE.

His short-head defeat on his rules debut in January was given a big boost by the winner following up easily and he looks a strong stayer. You Oughta Know is a big player on his Leopardstown trial second as well.

Selection: C’Est Ta Chance

Trends for our Cheltenham Day 2 Tips

Ballymore Novices Hurdle

When looking at this race, there were only a few trends that were unique when looking at the winner of this Hurdle race. In-fact all of the last ten winners have:

  • Won 1-3 hurdle races
  • Finished in the top two last time out
  • Had won if they had run at Cheltenham before

There are a few other trends between the horses but most of them go hand-in-hand with the three sections above. Last year, Sir Gerhard was the exception to another trend which was that all of the last 8 previous winners were age six. However, at the age of seven, Sir Gerhard broke the trend and was only the second horse in history to win aged 7.

Brown Advisory Novices Chase

After winning in 2022, L'Homme Presse was the first horse to win this race in history. So, that is a trend that ended last year. These are some of the few trends that can be found with this race.

  • Ran within the last 77 days
  • Have run in 2-5 Novices Chases
  • Won or were beaten by less than 3 lengths last time out.

As previously stated, there are very few trends for this race and it is a very difficult race to predict. There some other trends, but they tend to include a large portion of horses, so we feel they aren't worth mentioning as key trends here.

Coral Cup

The Coral Cup is the event where a number of unique trends come into play, trends that make you stop and analyse the field because there is tangible data to back up the trends. Some of the top trends for this race are:

  • Had ran over hurdles in the last 22 days.
  • Have won either 2 or 3 Hurdles races.
  • 9/10 have never won a Grade 1 or 2 race before.
  • 9/10 weren't the favourite in the betting odds
  • 9/10 have never won a chase race.
  • 9/10 winners had only won once - if at all that year
  • 8/10 winners carried 6lbs+ less than the top weight.

Queen Mother Champion Chase

The feature race of the day has a few trends that could come in handy for those looking to place bets on the race, they include:

  • Have had at least 1 grade 2 win in the past.
  • 11/12 winners have ran at Cheltenham before with 7 winning previously.
  • 7/12 winners ran in the Clarence House Chase in their last run, only 4 of them won that race.
  • 9/12 winners were rated 164+
  • 10/12 winners sat in the top three of the betting odds.

Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase

At the centre of our Cheltenham Day 2 tips comes the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase. However, trends were hard to come-by for this event with only a small number of consistencies throughout, they included:

  • 11/12 winners aged 8 or older.
  • 10/12 winners sat top three of the betting odds
  • 9/12 winners had previously won a race at Cheltenham.
  • 10/12 winners rated 139+

Grand Annual Challenge Cup

The Grand Annual is well-known as an accumulator breaker for Cheltenham Festival fans, the favourite has only won the race twice in the last 12 races and we have had winners of 10/1+ three out of the last twelve races. There are a small number of trends here, they are:

  • 9/12 winners were 10/1+
  • 9/12 winners aged between 7 and 9
  • 10/12 winners had previously run at Cheltenham
  • 11/12 winners had a rating of 138+

Champion Bumper

The Champion Bumper is where we find a larger number of trends, which is convenient considering the race has a very large field of horses to choose from and stands as one of the most packed races at the Cheltenham Festival. Some of the most common trends in this race include:

  • The last 10 winners all won last time out.
  • If they had ran at Cheltenham, they had won.
  • 9/10 ran winners at least 32 days ago.
  • 9/10 had never finished outside of the top three.
  • 8/10 were trained in Ireland.

Willie Mullins has won 12/30 renewals of this race with 9 placed horses in 10 years.

Why use tips on Day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival?

Day 1 of the Cheltenham Festival tends to be the day where bettors make their choices for the week ahead, a budget is set for the week and depending on winners and losers, that may increase or decrease. However, Day 2 is typically when most bettors utilise their free bets and the difference between a good Cheltenham Festival and an excellent Festival is maximising your profit from those free bets. Finding tips and trends for races such as the Queen Mother Champion Chase, the Cross Country Chase and more are fantastic ways of picking a winning horse in these races, of course, nothing is every guaranteed but tips and trends help direct you towards horses who, on-paper, look more likely to succeed.

In horse racing, nothing is guaranteed, but there is a reason why in a 13-horse race, every horse isn't valued at 14/1 because there are attributes to each horse that determine their likely success. For example, if a horse is valued at evens, the chances of the horse winning are valued at the same price as a coin flip, which in theory, you would still lose 50% of the time, so anything you can find to tip the scales in your favour potentially should be considered.

Cheltenham Day 2 FAQs

What races are on the second day of the Cheltenham Festival?

TimeRacePrevious Winner
13:30Ballymore Novices HurdleIMPAIRE ET PASSE (5/2)=
14:10Brown Advisory Novices ChaseTHE REAL WHACKER (8/1)
14:50Coral Cup Handicap HurdleLANGER DAN (9/1)
15:30Queen Mother Champion ChaseENERGUMENE (6/5)
16:10Glenfarclas Cross Country ChaseDELTA WORK (11/10)
16:50Grand Annual Challenge CupMASKADA (22/1)
17:30Champion BumperA DREAM TO SHARE (7/2)

Last year, three out of seven favourites won the races of Cheltenham Festival Day 2.

What is the feature race of Day Two?

The Queen Mother Champion Chase is the feature race of Cheltenham Festival Day 2.

Who is the favourite for races on Day Two of the Cheltenham Festival

If we were to back all the favourites in our Cheltenham Day 2 tips, it would look something like:

Time & RaceFavourite
13:30 - Novices HurdleBallyburn
14:10 - Novices ChaseFact to File
14:50 - Coral CupSa Majeste
15:30 - Champion ChaseEl Fabiolo
16:10 - Cross Country ChaseMinella Indo
16:50 - Grand AnnualMy Mate Mozzie
17:30 - Champion BumperJasmin De Vaux

Horse Racing Free Bets

If you're new to BetUK then you will be eligible to receive £30 in free bets! All you have to do is sign-up for a new account and place a £10 bet to get your 3x£10 free bets! To read more about our free bet offer, check out the link below.

BetUK's Free Bet Offer

We're sorry!

Unfortunately, BetUK isn't available in your country.