TEMPLEGATE is gearing up for an exhilarating second day at the Cheltenham Festival, eager to rack up some wins.
He offers insights into his selections for an action-packed afternoon at Prestbury Park, spotlighting the Champion Chase, set to take place at 4pm.
To place your wagers, just click on the odds below. Best of luck!
Cheltenham 2025 – everything you need to know
COMFORT ZONE (2.40 Cheltenham, nap)
This outstanding six-year-old, under the skillful training of Joseph O’Brien, is anticipated to excel in this tough handicap. He boasted an impressive flat season last year, culminating in a fantastic victory at Naas in October. Although he faced some difficulties during a hurdle run at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting due to limited space, he still finished strongly.
FINAL DEMAND (1.20 Cheltenham, nb)
This horse trained by Willie Mullins demonstrated his talent with a stellar performance at Leopardstown, posting a notably impressive time. He possesses significant stamina and is expected to show substantial improvement on his fourth outing at the racecourse.
UNEXPECTED PARTY (4.40 Cheltenham, treble)
Set to defend his title in the Grand Annual, the Skeltons have meticulously conditioned him for today’s race. The brothers excel in targeting Festival handicaps, and he recently showed great form by finishing second at Windsor. Despite a shift in the betting odds, he received a composed ride, finishing strongly despite the winner being long gone. His jumping remains reliable, and the 6lb rise from last year shouldn’t impede his chances.
Templegate’s Detailed Analysis for Day Two at Cheltenham
1.20 Turners Novices’ Hurdle
FINAL DEMAND is expected to take the win in the Turners.
This horse trained by Willie Mullins has made a renowned impression with his recent victory at Leopardstown and is predicted to triumph against the Skeltons’ The New Lion in what should be a thrilling race.
Here’s my breakdown of the competitors rated out of five stars:
FINAL DEMAND 5 stars
A brilliant winner at Leopardstown with a strong time. Great stamina with plenty more potential to unleash.
FORTY COATS 1
Desperately needs enhancement. Struggled in three lower-tier races.
KAID D’AUTHIE 1
Outclassed in prior Grade 1 events and seems unprepared.
KAPPA JY PYKE 2
Not quite at the needed standard. Showed decent performance in muddy conditions at a lower level but requires significant improvement.
KEL HISTOIRE 3
Unlucky last time out; an increased distance should be favorable. Might be the strongest among the long shots.
KISS WILL 2
Showing steady improvement; displayed stamina at Fairyhouse. Could secure a place as an outsider.
POTTERS CHARM 3
A winner at Gr1 Formby on soft ground and showed good form here previously, but needs to step up on Sixmilebridge.
SIXMILEBRIDGE 4
Prevailing in Gr2 here last time out and possesses ample stamina, making him a solid option if ground conditions favor.
SUPERSUNDAE 2
Best performances were on heavy ground; has faced difficulties in Gr1s recently and needs heavy rain to improve.
THE NEW LION 4
A strong contender, displaying earlier brilliance in the Challow at Newbury. Exhibits impressive staying capabilities and potential for growth.
THE YELLOW CLAY 4
Completely reliable; secured a Gr1 at Naas and excels at this distance. Can adapt to various ground conditions and is in the running.
2.00 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
GORGEOUS TOM is expected to make significant progress as he tackles three miles for the first time.
After a novice-like fall at Tipperary upon returning, he gathered momentum for Henry De Bromhead, winning a Cork Grade 3 by six lengths in November.
This achievement qualified him for the prestigious Drinmore at Fairyhouse, where he finished a narrow second.
That race was over 2m4f, and his strong finish indicates this extended distance will suit him well.
Ballyburn has elevated his performance, capped with a decisive five-length victory at the Dublin Racing Festival.
While he appears to manage the longer distance well, he needs to back up his performance here. He can be prone to minor errors, but his class keeps him competitive.
Dancing City has excelled on firm ground but also thrived in muddy conditions at Naas last time. A seasoned Grade 1 veteran over hurdles, he might find the faster pace challenging.
Stellar Story, last season’s Albert Bartlett winner over hurdles, holds potential if he can refine his jumping.
Better Days Ahead is a proven runner over long distances, having won last year’s Martin Pipe. Rain would further boost his chances.
Cheltenham Day Two – Insights and Trends
TEMPLEGATE (Steve Mullen) has carefully analyzed key statistics for all 28 races at the Festival.
He offers a DO DO for each race — these insights aim to uncover potential winners.
Additionally, a HOODOO is noted to assist you in avoiding less favorable betting options over the next four days.
Turners Novices’ Hurdle
DO DO: Wager on horses that won their last race; nine of the last ten winners have adhered to this trend. Irish yards and previous bumper winners have consistently performed well here.
HOODOO: The reigning Challow Hurdle champion has a poor track record, similar to those who raced on the Flat previously.
Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
DO DO: Back horses that have at least achieved second in a Grade 2 chase. Pay attention to competitors with just one hurdle season behind them.
HOODOO: A mare hasn’t won this event in nearly thirty years; avoid any horse that finished outside the top two last time.
Coral Cup
DO DO: Keep an eye on outsiders; horses priced at 50-1, 33-1, and 28-1 have triumphed since 2019. Look for competitors who previously finished in the top four at a Festival.
HOODOO: Just one favorite has succeeded in the last two decades. Despite having 50 entries, Willie Mullins has only secured one victory.
Cross Country Chase
DO DO: Bet on horses that have previously run over this course this season, with Gordon Elliott and JP McManus enjoying strong success here.
HOODOO: Horses younger than eight typically struggle here. Despite numerous attempts, Paul Nicholls and Willie Mullins have yet to find victory.
Queen Mother Champion Chase
DO DO: Seek horses that have won at the Cheltenham Festival previously. Aim for no more than three-season runs and odds not exceeding 6-1.
HOODOO: Nine of the last twelve odds-on favorites have been defeated. A fall or being unseated during the season presents considerable risk.
Grand Annual
DO DO: Focus on horses not older than nine; most winners have Festival experience. A strong form at Cheltenham is a significant advantage.
HOODOO: Favorites have seen modest success, with only two out of the last twenty winning before this final race. Horses with over nine chase runs often face difficulties.
Champion Bumper
DO DO: Trust in Willie Mullins, who has trained 13 winners. Irish trainers have dominated, winning 25 of the last 32 races, so ensure your pick has won their last outing.
HOODOO: Cue Card was the last four-year-old to win; your pick must have participated in multiple bumpers leading into this event.
2.40 Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle
COMFORT ZONE is the top entry in this fiercely competitive handicap, under the watchful guidance of Joseph O’Brien.
This six-year-old had a stellar flat season, culminating in a significant victory at Naas last October.
His only hurdle attempt since was at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting, where he faced some setbacks yet finished respectably, indicating retained potential.
Stepping up the distance appears to be a strategic choice, and he looks well-placed under Mark Walsh.
Owner JP McManus likely has another strong contender with Impose Toi, from Nicky Henderson’s stable.
His exceptional performance at Newbury was notable, and he also achieved victory in a large field here in November.
First-time cheekpieces may boost his performance for this task.
Be Aware is a classic entry from Dan Skelton; he achieved a solid second at the Greatwood here before finishing third in a large field at Ascot.
After demonstrating stamina when placing second at Kempton last year, he stands to improve further.
Jimmy De Seuil carries strong credentials, having finished second last year in the Turners Novice Hurdle.
After a lengthy break, Willie Mullins is set to ensure he performs impressively.
Lossiemouth (not the mare from yesterday!) is a Grade 2 winner returning after a long absence.
Encouraging signs were evident in his recent outing at Chepstow, placing him in the each-way discussions.
Betting has favored Bunting, owned by Brighton Chairman Tony Bloom.
He seldom misses his targets, following commendable performances in last year’s Triumph Hurdle.
After a significant layoff, he returned with a rusty second at Clonmel in January and could pose a strong threat.
Ballyadam finished second last year, benefitting from a 4lb reduction, which suggests he could replicate that performance.
3.20 Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
BUSSELTON drew attention during an impressive performance at December’s meeting on this course.
He navigated the obstacles smoothly and finished in sixth place.
Improving from his initial run, connections have maintained his rating by having him compete over hurdles last time.
He performed well in a Grade 2 at Navan in February and should now be in peak condition. His stamina is a benefit for this race format and will be enhanced by softer ground.
This race is a handicap, presenting some challenges for Stumptown, who must concede weight to all opponents.
A subsequent 8lb rise followed his win at the December meeting, and cheekpieces have been fitted after a somewhat lackluster performance.
He remains a strong contender. The horse who finished closely behind him last time, Mister Coffey, may also secure a podium finish.
Despite various strong performances, it remains puzzling why he hasn’t yet claimed a chase victory, yet he seemed favorable for this task previously; he should definitely be included in your Placepot.
Galvin might be showing signs of aging at 11 years but carries rich experience over this course and nearly won the American Grand National last October.
Although that was a hurdles contest, his adaptability suits him well here.
Vanillier didn’t shine with a ninth-place finish on this course in December but ended a three-year losing streak with a victory in April over the banks course at Punchestown.
A repeat performance would position him competitively.
4.00 Queen Mother Champion Chase
SOLNESS has been somewhat overlooked following his fantastic win at Leopardstown last month.
His commanding victory has established him as a leading contender, showcasing impressive speed.
He exhibited exceptional jumping skills and showed no signs of fatigue during the final effort.
A slight distance reduction may assist with the stamina needed for the hill, favoring his prospects.
Jonbon appears to be a formidable rival and is enjoying an exceptional season.
Remaining unbeaten with Nico De Boinville riding, he demonstrated his prowess at Ascot recently.
As a supporter of Solness, I must highlight that all three of his career losses occurred at Cheltenham, two of which were during the Festival.
Marine Nationale finished two lengths behind Solness last time; however, his earlier Cheltenham outing ended in victory in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, making him a contender worth considering.
If the ground isn’t sufficiently soft, Energumene may face challenges, compounded by age, possibly making a placement more realistic.
4.40 Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase
UNEXPECTED PARTY is set to defend his Grand Annual title for the Skeltons, who have meticulously prepared him for today’s race.
The Skelton brothers have a track record of effectively targeting Festival handicaps, as he illustrated with a second-place finish at Windsor last time out.
He faced some market fluctuations before being ridden conservatively, finishing well behind the winner who had already crossed the finish line.
His strong jumping abilities put him in a favorable position, even with a 6lb increase from last year.
My Mate Mozzie represents a solid each-way option after a commendable return to chasing, having finished second at Leopardstown last month. His quick pace suits this distance, and he typically stays competitive.
So Scottish may be viewed as a strategic choice from astute Emmet Mullins.
He finished seventh in the 2023 Plate and was performing effectively in the December Gold Cup before an unfortunate fall.
Having primarily raced over hurdles since with inconsistent results, he returns to chasing at a more favorable mark.
A market shift in his favor while donning JP McManus silks wouldn’t be surprising.
JPR One shows promise, particularly with the class drop.
Having raced in the Arkle last year, he performed respectably in the Tingle Creek before a quieter outing at Newbury last time.
Carrying substantial weight, his talent could see him contending for additional placements.
The King Of Prs showcased dominance over a longer distance at Fairyhouse last January.
General Medrano surged ahead at Doncaster but was narrowly outpaced at the finish.
The brisk pace of this race will likely benefit him, along with a 2lb rise in weights enhancing his prospects.
Dancing On My Own deserves consideration for each-way betting following a solid third-place finish last time amidst Henry De Bromhead’s less impressive performances.
5.20 Champion Bumper
I’m putting my faith in Townend to excel in the Champion Bumper — I have confidence in Jody over his brother Paul.
She rides BAMBINO FEVER, who benefits from a pleasant 7lb allowance for being a mare.
Jody was aboard during her impressive win in a Grade 2 event at Leopardstown last month.
She powered to victory, finishing over seven lengths ahead with plenty of energy left.
This burst of speed should serve her well today, making her a strong competitor. Another notable challenger is Aqua Force, who presents a significant threat.
After a 28-length triumph under one of Ireland’s smaller trainers, Miguel Gunn, she has now transitioned to Willie Mullins.
Now carrying JP McManus colors, she could show improvement under a champion trainer, even for a brief period.
Kalypso’chance made a favorable impression with a victory at Navan last December, even as a newcomer.
Though he hasn’t seen action since, Gordon Elliott’s preparation should have bolstered his development during this interval.
Copacabana has also garnered attention for this contest, demonstrating impressive agility in his recent Navan victory. He is expected to show significant improvement here.
Gameofinches was effortlessly dominant in his debut outing at Punchestown last month.
While he may benefit from a tougher contest to sharpen his skills, he remains a crucial contender alongside Paul Townend.
He Can’t Dance was a notable acquisition, finishing closely in a Grade 2 race at Leopardstown last month.
Building on that performance could open up a route to placement.
Idaho Sun stands out among a rather thin British representation. He performed adequately at Windsor last time, but this race calls for even higher quality competitors.
The Skeltons’ Fortune De Mer triumphed in a Listed race over this course and distance, potentially placing him in contention.
Templegate’s complete tips
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