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Day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival features the Queen Mother Champion Chase and we've got all your mail right here.
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RACE 1 - BALLYBURN (1) appears difficult to beat. Winner of the G1 Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle over 3200m at the Dublin Racing Festival and previously successful among maiden company tackling a similar trip to this. HANDSTANDS (2) lacks the top-level experience of rivals. Unbeaten and progressed taking the Listed Sidney Banks Memorial Novices Hurdle at Huntingdon. JINGKO BLUE (5) is hard to overlook. Winner of a handicap novice hurdle at Sandown Park in latest. ILE ATLANTIQUE (3) holds each way claims after a narrow second in the G1 Lawlor's of Naas Novice Hurdle.
RACE 2 - FACT TO FILE (2) was the sole finisher in the G1 Ladbrokes Novice Chase at Leopardstown during the Dublin Racing Festival. Looked a class above novice counterparts and expected to follow up. STAY AWAY FAY (6) wears first time cheekpieces. Switched to open company when third in the G2 Cotswold Chase at the track last time and will stay. AMERICAN MIKE (1) took a comfortable victory in the G2 Ten Up Novice Chase at Navan during February. Strong performer. In the mix. MONTY'S STAR (4) holds each way claims. Steps up in standard following easy 5.5L Punchestown victory.
RACE 3 - DODDIETHEGREAT (21) sits near the bottom of the weights with a leading chance. Holds excellent form in big field handicap hurdles including a second at the course during December. Fourth in Betfair Hurdle when last seen. DA CAPO GLORY (3) wears first time cheekpieces. Brings useful Graded form including a third tackling the G2 Boyne Hurdle in latest. Amateur claims weight to assist. LANGER DAN (10) has been struggling to find best. Tends to come to the fore at this time of year. Won this race twelve months ago. SA MAJESTE (12) rates each way after a Limerick win.
RACE 4 - EL FABIOLO (4) sets the standard having won the G1 Dublin Chase at Leopardstown. Twelve months ago managed to win the G1 Arkle Trophy over same course and distance. Can repeat. JONBON (8) started the season with a victory in the G2 Shloer Chase tackling track and trip. Made a major jumping error when narrowly defeated by ELIXIR DE NUTZ (5) in the rescheduled G1 Clarence House Chase here last time. The latter mentioned may produce a big effort to find a placing. EDWARDSTONE (3) was ridden from the front for the first time when taking the G2 Game Spirit Chase at Newbury in latest. Interesting if similar tactics applied.
RACE 5 - FOXY JACKS (7) won over course and distance at the November meeting. Ridden with patience on that occasion and delivered hurdle outing to warm up for this race (fourth at Leopardstown). COKO BEACH (2) scored on cross-country debut at Punchestown in latest. Could be the pick of the three Elliott runners if retaining enthusiasm. Stablemate DELTA WORK (3) was sixth in the G2 Boyne Hurdle when last seen. Sixth behind the main selection in November but better off on level weights. MINELLA INDO (10) holds each way claims as the G1 Gold Cup winner. Talented and appeared to enjoy switching to cross-country when fourth at the track in December.
RACE 6 - MASKADA (3) won the race twelve months ago off a lower mark. Remains capable of a big effort after two solid thirds among Listed and G2 company. LIBBERTY HUNTER (10) is a novice from a very attractive mark in search of a hat-trick. Produced a big effort taking a novice handicap chase at this track in early January. Contender. MADARA (6) rewarded connections as one of two British runners at the Dublin Racing Festival. Managed to win a Listed handicap steeplechase at Leopardstown and can be competitive again. HARPER'S BROOK (9) wears first-time visor. Tendency to pull himself up in the closing stages but recorded a solid victory at Sandown Park last time when far enough in front.
RACE 7 - TEESHAN (16) was an expensive purchase from the point-to-point field after a debut win. Scored by 7L under rules on heavy going and capable of a big performance. JASMIN DE VAUX (9) is the pick of leading amateur Patrick Mullins. Impressive 15L winner of a Naas jumpers flat debuting. Leading chance. THE YELLOW CLAY (17) finished fourth in the G2 Goffs Future Stars INH Flat Race when last seen. Expected to be firmly in the mix. ARGENTO BOY (1) holds each way claims having debuted with a success at Fairyhouse late January.
BEST BET: Race 1 No. 1 - BALLYBURN
