Day two of this year’s Cheltenham Festival – also known as Ladies Day – didn’t disappoint. A couple of the favourites went on to win, helping punters recuperate from a disappointing Champions Day, however there were also a couple more upsets to be had, adding the to the thrills of the Prestbury Park meeting.
If you’re looking for horse racing results & today’s meetings, or just wanting to relive a classic Cheltenham outing, then read on!
Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (Grade One)
Heavy odds-on favourite Envoi Allen – trained by Gordon Elliott – looked to be out of the running as he turned the last bend onto the home straight, six lengths behind Easywork and The Big Getaway, but he somehow found some gas in his reserve to push into the lead over the last hurdle with Davy Russell powering him on to win by just over four lengths.
“He’s a very nice horse and as long as he keeps winning I’m happy,” the Irish trainer said afterwards.
- Envoi Allen 4/7F
- Easywork 12/1
- The Big Getaway 9/1
Novices’ Chase (Grade One)
Another horse to come from behind, and win in spectacular fashion, was Champ – named after the legendary jockey Sir Anthony McCoy – who was worryingly error prone throughout, making mistake at most hurdles. As pace-setters Minella Indo and Allaho turned for home, Champ was 10 lengths adrift. However, jockey Barry Geraghty forged an amazing comeback and slipped in-between the front-runners to steal the Novices’ Chase from under their noses.
“It didn’t look very likely to happen, did it? It looked like he was going to be an honourable third – I was watching the front two and all of a sudden he appeared in the picture. I was thinking, ‘how has he got here?’” trainer Nicky Henderson said.
- Champ 4/1
- Minella Indo 3/1
- Allaho 5/2F
Handicap Hurdle (Grade Thee)
Market favourite Dame De Compagnie went on to win, to add to Henderson and Geraghty’s amazing start to the Festival. The seven-year-old was always in contention throughout the race, and narrowly led on the run-in, before holding off Elliott-trained Black Tears by just over two lengths.
“She won well. We didn’t go much of a gallop, and I was happy to be just behind the pace once she was relaxed.
“She picked up from the back of the last. It was a good performance,” the jockey said.
- Dame De Compagnie 5/1F
- Black Tears 12/1
- Thosedaysaregone 10/1
- Cracking Smart 33/1
Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade One)
Defi Du Seuil – who was 2/5 favourite – was the one to beat in the absence of Altior and Chacun Pour Soi. However, the market leader never got into the race and 6/1 outsider Prolitologue, ridden by Harry Skelton, led from start to finish to land trainer Paul Nicholls his first Festival win of the year.
“The tactics were great, it was awesome. I looked in the paddocks before and I thought Politologue was a standout, and I’m just pleased we stuck to the plan and kept him fresh and fit,” the trainer said.
- Politologue 6/1
- Dynamite Dollars 7/1
- Bun Doran 33/1
Glenfarclas Chase (A Cross Country Chase)
Gordon Elliott’s Tiger Roll was hoping to land a third successive Cross Country Chase at the Festival, although 3/1 shot Easysland had other ideas. The six-year-old beat the two-time Grand National winner – whose odds have since drifted for a third-successive win at Aintree – by an outstanding 17 lengths, whilst Tiger Roll also ran impressively despite finishing second – an impressive 18 lengths ahead of Out Sam.
“I was expecting a good run from him. He seemed really well at home, his coat had changed, he was in good form and it was a really big advantage to have come here in December and to know the track. The heavy ground was also in his favour,” Easysland’s trainer David Cotton said.
- Easysland 3/1
- Tiger Roll 8/11F
- Out Sam 33/1
Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Grade Three)
As heavily backed favourite Palladium – who was never in contention – pulled-up halfway through the race, all eyes turned to the front-runners. And it was Elliott-trained Aramax at 15/2 who held-off David Pipe’s Night Edition – who was applying the pressure. The win also marked jockey Mark Walsh’s first victory of the week.
- Aramax 15/2
- Night Edition 16/1
- Saint D’oroux 14/1
- Recent Revelations 14/1