Sink or Swim? How Will The DAY TWO Cheltenham Runners Act on Heavy Ground?

With the opening day of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival seeing a deluge of rain hitting the Prestbury Park track the ground has turned heavy (soft in places) – so, with that in mind we thought we’d take a look at the main DAY TWO runners and if they’ve got form with cut underfoot.

Cheltenham Festival Day Two Runners: How Will They Fare On Heavy and Soft Ground?

We analyse the top horses in the betting in ALL six races at Cheltenham on Wednesday and their ability to handle the soft/heavy ground.

Note:There are also new revised off times as the Cross Country Chase today has been called off due to a waterlogged track (won’t be rescheduled)

Wednesday 13th March 2024   

• 1.45: Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle (2m 5f)

Ballyburn – The opening day hot-pot and many people’s meeting banker has won on soft/heavy in the past – so no ground issues with this big day two Willie Mullins runner.

Ile Atlantique – Was a 19-length winner on heavy ground at Gowran Park in November, so the likely second favourite here and another Mullins runner, will be fine in conditions.

• 2.30: Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (3m)

Fact To File – Billed as a potential Gold Cup winner of the future and another of the big day two bankers. With wins in soft and yeilding/soft in his last two races, this JP McManus runner has acted well in the ground before.

Stay Away Fay – Has won on soft ground twice before, but has never raced on anything worse, so really heavy ground is a slight question mark.

Monty’s Star – Bolted up at Punchestown on heavy ground the last day and the Henry De Bromhead camp have already been in the Festival winners’ enclosure.

• 3.15: Coral Cup (Handicap Hurdle) (2m 5f)

Sa Majeste – Beat the 2022 Grand National winner Noble Yeats by 4 1/2 lengths at Limerick over Christmas and has two wins in France on very soft ground. Should be fine.

Built By Ballymore – Was a 12-length winner at both Punchestown and Limerick in his last two races on heavy ground, so will relish conditions here.

Langer Dan – This Dan Skelton runner has wins on soft ground but pulled up on heavy ground at Sandown the last time he raced on it. Should handle it, but a small bit to prove on heavy – plus is also last year’s winner off the same mark.

• 4.00: Queen Mother Champion Chase (2m)

El Fabiolo – Another of the day two bankers – coming here 5-from-5 over fences. Won at Cork on soft/heavy in December and last time took the Dublin Chase at Leopardstown on yeilding/soft.

Jonbon – Saw the back on El Fabiolo in the Arkle last season and the best UK horse racing betting sites think it will be more of the same. Won the Tingle Creek this season on heavy ground, but the form of the Henderson horses is the big question ahead of his chance. (Non-runner)

• 4.50: Grand Annual Handicap Chase (2m)

Saint Roi – Has won on soft and yeilding in the past but has been beaten each time there is ‘very soft’ or ‘heavy’ in the description. Bit to prove.

Libberty Hunter – Heavy ground winner at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day – up just 7lbs for that and top jockey in Harry Cobden booked to ride.

• 5.30: Champion Bumper (2m)

Jalon D’oudairies – Soft-heavy ground winner at Leopardstown at the end of December and hails from the Elliott yard, who has won the Bumper twice since 2017.

Jasmin De Vaux – 2-from-2, including winning last time at Naas on soft. Yet to race on anything like heavy ground, but French-bred and sure to suit.