Cheltenham Festival Tips – An Each-Way Lucky 15 To Hit The Bookies
A full field of runners line up at the start of the Cheltenham Festival
2021 Cheltenham Festival Day 2 Lucky 15 Tips
Birchdale 16/1 (Coral Cup, 2.30pm Wednesday)
Eight in last year’s renewal, he ran admirably having been caught wide and behind a wall of horses as the field turned for home. He made good progress on the run the final flight before tiring on the run-in, which is forgivable given the effort me put in to close the distance initially while it’s worth noting that he was having his first run for nearly four months.
Two pounds lower this term, he’s still only had four starts over hurdles while he now has the benefit of experience in a big field handicap, while he had an eye-catching run in a Jumpers’ Bumper in preparation for this. He’s long been held in high regard, with Nicky saying in an interview that he’s “the prime candidate” for this race; words which should be heeded given his and JP’s impressive record in the race.
On The Slopes 20/1 (Grand Annual, 4.15pm Wednesday)
Some may remember that On the Slopes was the ante-post favourite for this race last season but he didn’t get in, which resulted him heading to Kempton instead where he won comfortably.
Plenty was expected of him this term but it hasn’t gone quite to plan; he looked as if in need of the run on his first outing and he was consequently well backed on his next run. However, Richard Johnson reportedly heard a noise as he faded tamely into fifth and he subsequently went for a wind operation. It’s worth noting that the two handicaps he ran in earlier this season have provided four of the past ten winners of the Grand Annual.
He returned in an al-weather bumper, presumably as a prep run with this race in mind and given that he’s just a seven-year-old with none starts over fences, there are reasons to think that there is more to come with him. A mark of 140 is workable while his forward style of running will suit in a race of this nature, especially with it now being run on the sharper old course.
Some Neck 12/1 (Cross-Country Chase, 3.40pm Wednesday)
In a race where there are significant question marks about those at the head of the market, a chance is taken on Some Neck who did very well to win over the Cheltenham cross-country course on his first attempt which is no mean feat
Richard Johnson hasn’t ridden in this race for a few years but he rode Balthazar King to his two victories back in 2012 and 2014 so encouragement is taken from that, while the horse had a spin round over hurdles in preparation for this; we’ve seen that work well in previous renewals with the likes of Tiger Roll and Sizing Australia.
He was a good horse for Willie Mullins a couple of years ago, with his C.V including a Grade 2 victory and he can give a good account of himself here.
Grangee 20/1 (Champion Bumper, 4.50pm Wednesday)
With ten winners in the race, Willie Mullins knows what it takes to win the Champion Bumper and he looks to have an excellent chance of adding another success to his tally this term.
Interestingly, his past five winners all came at double-figure odds while mares have done well in recent renewals; Fayonagh and Relegate recorded victories for the girls in 2017 and 2018 respectively while Queens Brook finished third last season.
With that in mind, Grangee appeals as an each-way alternative to the front two especially considering that she’ll arrive at Cheltenham on the back of a career-best effort having won a Grade 2 mares race at the Dublin Racing Festival.
