Best of Bets’ Oliver Holmes has his selections primed for Day Two’s offerings of Cheltenham Festival.
Yesterday’s racing provided some incredible jump racing including Constitution Hill, who more than lived up to the pre-race hype, and cemented his status as one of jump racing’s greats by maintaining his unbeaten record in the Champion Hurdle. Impressively, his odds of 4/11 has made Constitution Hill the shortest priced winner in the history of the race.
Away from Constitution Hill, much of the pre-race talk surrounded Honeysuckle and her chance to round of an incredible career by claiming a win of the Mares’ Chance. The nine-year-old mare and her pilot, Rachael Blackmore, showed the roaring audience at Cheltenham how it was done as the mare showed off her incredible stamina and talent one final time.
Cheltenham Day 2: Selections and Naps
NAP: EDWARDSTONE – Queen Mother Champion Chase – 6/4 General
Edwardstone was the one to take out of the Clarence House Chase. Despite that being on the New Course, his win in the Arkle was absolutely fantastic over on the Old Course. I think that Energumene will still be a threat, but Edwardstone is a class act.
E/W BET: Ramilies – Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase – 22/1 General
I already had an antepost bet at 12/1 in late February. And, despite the demotion last time out, he can stay on really well and was entered for the National Hunt Chase. Soft ground is a big plus, and came sixth in last year’s Albert Bartlett, which is good guide for this race.
Handicap Best: HMS Seahorse – Coral Cup – 11/1 William Hill
Fourth in last year’s Fred Winter, it was the only time he finished outside the top three on hurdles starts. He’s been handicapped well after winning last time out at Navan. Double figure price might just be a little too big for him.
Selections:
13:30 – Hermes Allen
14:10 – Galia Des Liteaux (RAMILIES E/W)
14:50 – HMS SEAHORSE (San Salvador e/w)
15:30 – EDWARDSTONE (NAP)
16:10 – Delta Work (No Bet)
16:50 – Dinoblue (Thyme White e/w)
17:30 – Fun Fun Fun (Captain Cody e/w)
The very best of luck!
Cheltenham Day Two: Detailed Race-by-Race Preview
This expanded preview complements the selections above with context, race-by-race analysis and practical betting considerations for Day Two at Cheltenham. The commentary is written for the informed UK racing follower and aims to explain why the naps and each-way choices make sense without promising outcomes.
Selections Explained: Why Each Nap and E/W Picks
Edwardstone is the clear NAP for the Queen Mother Champion Chase on form and adaptability, especially returning to the Old Course where he showed his best speed and precision. Ramilies and HMS Seahorse are logical each-way and handicap picks respectively, based on staying ability, recent form and conditions suited to their profiles.
Edwardstone Assessment: Champion Chase Prospects
Edwardstone’s tactical speed and racecraft over two miles give him a significant edge on a day when precise jumping matters most, and his Arkle performance underlined his class on Old Course ground. While Energumene and other rivals bring quality and pace, Edwardstone’s balance of speed and experience makes him a justifiable top selection rather than a speculative pick.
Ramilies and Brown Advisory: Novice Chase Notes
Ramilies has shown he handles a testing trip and soft ground, traits that transfer well to the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham where stamina often decides the placings. His form in the Albert Bartlett and a willingness to stay when asked are the main reasons he is considered a value each-way contender at longer prices.
HMS Seahorse: Handicap Form and Coral Cup Chance
HMS Seahorse arrives with a progressive profile, and his recent Navan win suggests the handicapping mark may underestimate his Cheltenham potential on softish ground and a testing trip. In large handicaps like the Coral Cup, consistency combined with a trainer who targets Cheltenham is as important as raw ability, which is why he ranks highly for conservative each-way support.
Race Conditions, Ground and How They Influence Bets
Soft or heavy ground at Cheltenham tends to favour proven stayers and horses that have run well on similar ground in the past, which should be central to any selection process for Day Two. Monitor the official going updates pre-race and re-assess any selection whose form is exclusively on good ground, as their chance can materially reduce in testing conditions.
Betting Markets to Consider for Day Two Cheltenham
Aside from win and each-way markets, consider alternative markets such as place-only terms, head-to-head matchups and extra distance markets where available, especially in novice chases and handicaps. These markets often reveal value if you have a clear view on relative stamina or a runner expected to improve markedly for Cheltenham.
Staking Plan and Bankroll Protection Tips for Racers
Use a consistent staking approach that reflects your confidence level: a smaller base stake for speculative each-way plays and a higher unit for your strongest nap where the data supports it. Always set a session limit and avoid chasing losses, keeping betting as entertainment rather than a financial strategy, and confirm you are 18+ before placing bets.
How Soft Ground Alters Tactics and Trainer Choices
Soft ground often means races are ridden more conservatively early and decided by stamina late, boosting chances for trainers who target Cheltenham with proven mud horses. Also watch trainers who enter multiple runners and declare very specific plans; those yards often prepare a horse for Cheltenham’s unique demands rather than a general seasonal target.
Key Pace and Jockey Considerations for Each Race
Pace maps and known riding styles matter greatly at Cheltenham, where a leader can be exposed in soft going and a hold-up horse can steam through in the straight; this should influence each way and lay bets. Jockey bookings also tell a story, so take note of last-minute changes as they can shift market confidence and the likely riding plan.
Trainer Form and Trends Worth Noting Today
Identify trainers with strong Cheltenham preparation records and those who traditionally get horses tuned for Festival targets; these patterns often repeat and can be a decisive edge in small-margin races. Conversely, beware of horses making uninspiring short-notice switches without obvious Festival form, as these entries sometimes underperform when class alone is stretched.
How to Interpret Odds and Find Value at the Meeting
Value is about price relative to realistic chance; an each-way shot at 20/1 with genuine stamina and course form can be preferable to a 4/1 favourite whose best ground is unlikely to be present. Comparing odds across bookmakers and looking at place terms are essential steps for value hunting, while remembering no bet is risk-free.
Specific Tips for Each Selection Listed Above
For Edwardstone, favour a standard stake on the NAP with a reduced each-way cover only if the market extends significantly and place terms are generous. For Ramilies, a conservative each-way stake is sensible given his staying profile and the soft-ground angle, and for HMS Seahorse a mid-range each-way unit aligns with his current mark and recent win.
Practical Checklist Before Placing Any Bets
Before committing funds, confirm race conditions, final declarations, jockey confirmations and any late market movement that could affect value; act on facts rather than emotion. Ensure you are 18+ and consider using bookmaker tools such as bet-limits and reality checks to keep staking responsible and within your planned budget.
Managing Expectations and Responsible Gambling Advice
Betting on the Cheltenham Festival should be treated as entertainment; there are no guaranteed winners and even the best selections can fail due to the unpredictable nature of racing. If you choose to bet, do so only with money you can afford to lose, set limits, and seek help from organisations such as BeGambleAware if gambling becomes a concern.
Additional Horses to Watch and Alt-Strategy Ideas
Keep an eye on last-minute improvers, trainer declarations and late non-runners, which can create fresh value in antepost and tote markets; sometimes a small, late market shift reveals an underpriced chance. Alternate strategies such as focusing on two or three races you understand well and avoiding broad festival coverage often lead to a clearer risk profile and better decision-making.
How Weather Forecasts Could Shift Day Two Outcomes
Heavy overnight rain can transform testing ground into very soft, altering the chances of speed horses and increasing the merit of proven mud performers, so check forecasts in the hours before racing. Localised weather at Cheltenham can differ from regional reports, so use official going announcements and course updates to finalise any selections.
Post-Race Analysis and Learning for Future Festivals
After each race, review how your selections and markets behaved relative to expectations, focusing on factors such as jumping, stamina and positioning through the race. Learning from how the ground rode and which trainers got their horses ready will improve your selection process for the rest of the Festival and future meetings.
Where to Compare Bookmaker Offers and Odds Responsibly
Compare odds and sign-up offers across reputable bookmakers to find the best terms, but avoid switching purely for bonuses without considering long-term value and fairness of terms. You must be 18+ to open accounts, and only use offers as part of a responsible betting plan rather than an attempt to guarantee profit.
When to Skip a Race: Practical Criteria
Skip a race if you do not have a clear edge in form, the ground condemns all plausible picks, or if market movement makes value implausible; discretion is often the highest-value move. Staying disciplined and preserving bankroll for clearer opportunities is a cornerstone of professional approach to festival betting.
Final Summary and Practical Takeaways for Day Two
Edwardstone as the NAP, Ramilies each-way and HMS Seahorse in the handicap are selections rooted in form, stamina and suitability to likely ground, but none are certainties and each requires careful stake sizing. Keep bets proportionate, monitor going and jockey declarations, and focus on informed decisions rather than emotional responses to market swings.
How should I size stakes for Cheltenham Day Two races?
Size stakes relative to your written bankroll plan, using a small base unit for speculative each-way bets and larger units only for your strongest selections. Never stake more than you can afford to lose, and confirm you are 18+ before placing any bets.
Is Edwardstone a safe Nap for the Queen Mother Chase?
Edwardstone is a strong and credible NAP based on recent performances and suitability to the Old Course, but no selection is guaranteed and race-day variables can change outcomes. Treat this as an informed view rather than a certainty.
What market types suit novices and Brown Advisory entrants?
Each-way markets, place terms and head-to-head matchups can be useful for novice chases where form lines are less settled and stamina differences decide placings. Consider place-only or each-way coverage to reflect uncertainty in novice events.
Does soft ground change each horse’s winning chance much?
Yes — soft or heavy ground generally boosts the claims of proven mud horses and stayers while reducing the chances of speed-only types, so ground form should be a primary filter. Always check the official going and recent form on similar ground.
Where to compare bookmaker odds and free bets safely?
Use reputable comparison tools and bookmaker sites to check odds and welcome offers, ensuring you read terms and conditions and confirm you are 18+. Comparison should be part of a responsible approach to betting, not a search for guaranteed profit.
How to spot value in long-priced E/W selections today?
Look for horses with course form, proven stamina, or trainer trends that suggest better performance than market implies, and ensure place terms justify the each-way stake. Value arises when probability is underpriced relative to realistic chance, not from wishful thinking.
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