We preview the second day, Ladies Day, of the 2020 Cheltenham Festival.

The seven race card begins with the Ballymore Novices’ hurdle and includes the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Don’t forget any non-runners you can keep up-to-date via our Non-runners tool

We have detailed run through of every race, including expert picks from Charlie McCann.

Ladies Day – Wednesday, March 13 (Old Course & Cross Country)

1.30pm Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 5f £125,000

First raced in 1991 and known as the Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle, the Neptune is one of the big races at the Festival.

The race is only for novices and some of the sport’s superstars have taken this title over the years with the likes of Faugheen, Peddlers Cross, Hardy Eustace, Istabraq and Danoli all winning. Envoi Allen is looking for back to back wins at the Festival.

Confirmed field:
1 Decor Irlandais (FR)7 11 7 Noel Kelly IRE Mr John Devine Mr N. McParlan
2 Easywork (FR) h 6 11 7 Gordon Elliott IRE Gigginstown House Stud Rachael Blackmore
3 Envoi Allen (FR) 6 11 7 Gordon Elliott IRE Cheveley Park Stud Davy Russell
4 Getaway Fred (IRE) 6 11 7 Colin Tizzard Victor and Celia Goaman Harry Cobden
5 Longhouse Poet (IRE) ts 6 11 7 Martin Brassil IRE Sean & Bernardine Mulryan Mark Walsh
6 Mossy Fen (IRE) 5 11 7 Nigel Twiston-Davies Carl Hinchy and Mark Scott Sam Twiston-Davies
7 Shakem Up’arry (IRE) 6 11 7 Ben Pauling Mr Harry Redknapp Daryl Jacob
8 Shan Blue (IRE) 6 11 7 Dan Skelton Mr Colm Donlon Harry Skelton
9 Son of Camas (FR) 5 11 7 Nicky Henderson Sullivan Bloodstock Limited Nico de Boinville
10 Sporting John (IRE) 5 11 7 Philip Hobbs Mr John P. McManus Barry Geraghty
11 The Big Breakaway (IRE) 5 11 7 Colin Tizzard Eric Jones, Geoff Nicholas, John Romans Robbie Power
12 The Big Getaway (IRE) 6 11 7 W. P. Mullins IRE Mrs J. Donnelly P. Townend

Odds:
Envoi Allen (5/4), Sporting John (3/1), The Big Breakaway (5/1), The Big Getaway (6/1), Longhouse Poet (14/1), Easywork (16/1), Mossy Fen (33/1), Son Of Camas (33/1), Shan Blue (50/1), Decor Irlandais (66/1), Shakem Up’arry (66/1), Getaway Fred (100/1)

Expert view from Charlie McCann:
Day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival begins with the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle over 2m 5f and this sees the banker of the meeting for many in the shape of the unbeaten Envoi Allen.

Gordon Elliot’s six-year-old has won all eight career starts including three Grade 1’s, one of which was last season’s Champion Bumper. He is undeniably the most likely winner, but this is a deep race and at a best-priced 5/4 I have looked elsewhere for an each way alternative.

The one I have backed is The Big Breakaway (1.30) who has not been as highly tried as the favourite but is unbeaten in three career starts and was bought by his current connections for E360,000 to “be a Cheltenham horse.” His price has contracted over the last few days, and I would have preferred Colin Tizzard’s five-year-old to have had another start, given he has not raced since winning a modest novice at Newbury back in December. At 13/2 he is the each way recommendation today, but he is also one to keep on the right side of going forward.

2.10pm RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 3m 80y £175,000

Run since the 1940’s the Broadway Novices’ Chase has been associated with current sponsors Sun Alliance for nearly 30-years.

This race has become a breeding ground for gold cup winners.  Mandarin, Arkle, Ten Up, Master Smudge, Garrison Savannah, Looks Like Trouble, Denman, Bobs Worth and Lord Windermere have all won this before going onto Gold Cup glory.

Confirmed Field:
1 Allaho (FR) 6 11 4 W. P. Mullins IRE Cheveley Park Stud P. Townend
2 Aye Right (IRE) 7 11 4 Harriet Graham Mr G. Adam Callum Bewley
3 Battleoverdoyen (IRE) ts 7 11 4 Gordon Elliott IRE Gigginstown House Stud Davy Russell
4 Castlebawn West (IRE) h 7 11 4 W. P. Mullins IRE Rose Boyd/Mrs M Armstrong/J B Anderson Mark Walsh
5 Champ (IRE) 8 11 4 Nicky Henderson Mr John P. McManus Barry Geraghty
6 Copperhead 6 11 4 Colin Tizzard Mrs G. C. Pritchard Harry Cobden
7 Easy Game (FR) 6 11 4 W. P. Mullins IRE Wicklow Bloodstock (Ireland) Ltd Daniel Mullins
8 Minella Indo (IRE) 7 11 4 Henry de Bromhead IRE Mr Barry Maloney Rachael Blackmore
9 Pym (IRE) 7 11 4 Nicky Henderson Mrs Patricia Pugh Nico de Boinville
10 Slate House (IRE) ts 8 11 4 Colin Tizzard Eric Jones, Geoff Nicholas, John Romans Robbie Power

Odds:
Champ (3/1), Minella Indo (7/2), Allaho (4/1), Copperhead (4/1), Battleoverdoyen (10/1), Easy Game (10/1), Slate House (12/1), Aye Right (33/1), Pym (33/1), Castlebawn West (50/1)

Expert view from Charlie McCann:
Robbie Power – who rides The Big Breakaway – has decided to ride Slate House over Copperhead in the RSA Chase but I am not convinced he has made the correct decision. Copperhead is a terrific jumper of a fence, but he may lack the class of Allaho, Champ and Minella Indo (2.10) and the vote goes to the Henry De Bromhead-trained novice who won last year’s Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle here 12 months ago when he had Allaho 9L back in third.

The selection was not given a hard race – was hardly given a race at all – when runner up behind Laurina on his chase debut but I thought he jumped tremendously well when winning at Navan last time. He bypassed the Dublin Festival and comes here fresh and I just feel he might jump a bit better than Champ who has been off the track since falling here on New Year’s Day.

Champ finished runner up in the Ballymore last season so he has good course form but I would have preferred him to have had another run – he was due to race at Kelso last month before that card was abandoned – to see if his confidence had been affected by his mishap here at the beginning of the year.

2.50pm Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) 2m 5f £100,000

The Coral Cup, run over two miles and five furlongs, was introduced in 1993 and is one of the season’s most competitive handicaps.

The 2008 winner Naiad Du Misselot was the first Festival winner to succeed by the then recently introduced new distance of a nose. 

Confirmed Field:
1 Kilfenora (IRE) 8 11 12 Edward Harty IRE Mr John P. McManus Simon Torrens (7)
2 Cracking Smart (FR) bl,ts 8 11 11 Gordon Elliott IRE Gigginstown House Stud Gavin Brouder (7)
3 Eglantine du Seuil (FR) 6 11 7 W. P. Mullins IRE Sullivan Bloodstock Limited Rachael Blackmore
4 Bachasson (FR) 9 11 6 W. P. Mullins IRE E. O’Connell Mr P. W. Mullins
5 Ballymoy (IRE) 7 11 6 Nigel Twiston-Davies Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Daryl Jacob
6 Franco de Port (FR) 5 11 6 W. P. Mullins IRE Bruton Street V P. Townend
7 Top Moon (FR) 5 11 4 Joseph Patrick O’Brien IRE Mr John P. McManus Mark Walsh
8 Birchdale (IRE) 6 11 4 Nicky Henderson Mr John P. McManus Aidan Coleman
9 Canardier (FR) h 8 11 3 W. P. Mullins IRE Slattery Bloodstock Ltd Daniel Mullins
10 Coko Beach (FR) p 5 11 3 Gordon Elliott IRE Gigginstown House Stud Luke Dempsey
11 Sayo 6 11 3 W. P. Mullins IRE Miss M. A. Masterson Mikey Fogarty
12 Stratum 7 11 3 W. P. Mullins IRE Anthony Bloom Robbie Power
13 Protektorat (FR) h 5 11 2 Dan Skelton Sir A Ferguson G Mason J Hales & L Hales Harry Skelton
14 Mister Blue Sky (IRE) 6 11 2 W. P. Mullins IRE Shanakiel Racing Syndicate David Mullins
15 Black Tears p 6 11 2 Gordon Elliott IRE Mrs C Walsh/Mr J Lightfoot Davy Russell
16 The Mighty Don (IRE) 8 11 1 Nick Gifford Golden Rose Partnership James Davies
17 Traffic Fluide (FR) p 10 11 0 Gary Moore Galloping On The South Downs Partnership Joshua Moore
18 Chesterfield (IRE) 10 11 0 Seamus Mullins The Rumble Racing Club Jeremiah McGrath
19 Alfa Mix 5 11 0 Gavin Cromwell IRE Mr John P. McManus Jonathan Moore
20 Champagne Well (IRE) ts 7 10 13 Fergal O’Brien The Bolly Champagne Crew Paddy Brennan
21 Dame de Compagnie (FR) h 7 10 12 Nicky Henderson Mr John P. McManus Barry Geraghty
22 Honest Vic (IRE) v 7 10 12 Henry Daly Carole Daly & Partners Richard Johnson
23 Thosedaysaregone (IRE) 7 10 11 Charles Byrnes IRE Byrnes Bloodstock Ltd Kevin Brouder (3)
24 Golan Fortune (IRE) p 8 10 11 Phil Middleton P Middleton, M Lowther Mr Sam Lee (7)
25 Burrows Edge (FR) p 7 10 10 Nicky Henderson Mr Michael Buckley Nico de Boinville
26 Fagan 10 10 10 Alex Hales Mr Ben Brackenbury Kielan Woods
R27 Bold Plan (IRE) 6 10 10 Evan Williams Mr & Mrs William Rucker
R28 Everybreathyoutake (IRE) 6 10 9 Gordon Elliott IRE Pioneer Racing

Odds:
Dame De Compagnie (7/1), Protektorat (8/1), Alfa Mix (10/1), Birchdale (10/1), Canardier (10/1), Thosedaysaregone (12/1), Franco De Port (12/1), Cracking Smart (14/1), Bachasson (14/1), Kilfenora (16/1), Stratum (16/1), Black Tears (16/1), Traffic Fluide (16/1), Burrows Edge (16/1), Eglantine Du Seuil (16/1), Champagne Well (20/1), Coko Beach (25/1), Ballymoy (25/1), Sayo (33/1), Mister Blue Sky (33/1), The Mighty Don (33/1), Chesterfield (33/1), Honest Vic (33/1), Golan Fortune (33/1), Fagan (33/1), Bold Plan (33/1), Everybreathyoutake (33/1), Top Moon (33/1)

Expert view from Charlie McCann:
Leading owner JP McManus has five chances in the Coral Cup headed by market leader the mare Dame De Compagnie who is trained by Nicky Henderson. She must hold every chance, but the Lambourn handler also saddles Birchdale (2.50) and he gets the each way vote at 12/1. The selection has only had one run so far this season when disappointing at Ascot over fences, but I remember thinking he was going best at the top of the home run before his stamina gave out in the 3m Albert Bartlett last year. This drop back to 2m 5f should suit.

3.30pm Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1) 1m 7f 199y £400,000

The leading minimum-distance chase in the National Hunt calendar, the Queen Mother Champion Chase is one of the highlights of the Festival. Run since 1959.

The list of winners for the race reads like a who’s who of racing – Sprinter Sacre, Master Minded, Moscow Flyer, Flagship Uberalles, Viking Flagship, Barnbrook Again, Pearlyman, Badsworth Boy and Altior are just some of the superstars to have won this.

Confirmed Field:
2 Bun Doran (IRE) 9 11 10 Tom George Crossed Fingers Partnership Jonathan Burke
4 Defi du Seuil (FR) 7 11 10 Philip Hobbs Mr John P. McManus Barry Geraghty
5 Dynamite Dollars (FR) 7 11 10 Paul Nicholls Mr Michael Geoghegan Harry Cobden
6 Politologue (FR) ts 9 11 10 Paul Nicholls Mr J. Hales Harry Skelton
7 Sceau Royal (FR) 8 11 10 Alan King Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Soued Daryl Jacob

Odds:
Defi Du Seuil (4/11), Dynamite Dollars (8/1), Sceau Royal (16/1), Politologue (20/1), Bun Doran (50/1)

Expert view from Charlie McCann:
Altior and Chacun Pour Soi are late defections from the Champion Chase which is a shame. Leaving Defi Du Seuil (3.30). His form had swayed me towards him and this dual Festival winner looked better than ever when landing the Clarence House Chase last time.

4.10pm Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase 3m 6f 37y £65,000

The Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase was introduced at The Festival in 2005 and was initially run as a handicap until switching to a conditions race in 2016.

Balthazar King and Garde Campetre are both two-time winners and Cause of Causes is looking to equal that this year. Tiger Roll is looking to win for a third successive year ahead of his bid to win the Grand National – also for a third time.

Confirmed Field:
1 Arlequin d’Allier (FR) bl,ts 10 11 4 Emmanuel Clayeux FRA Mr Yves Maupoil Mr Derek O’Connor
2 Chic Name (FR) ts, p 8 11 4 Richard Hobson The Boom Syndicate Jonathan Burke
3 Diesel d’Allier (FR) ts 7 11 4 Emmanuel Clayeux FRA Mr Yves Maupoil Charlie Deutsch
4 Easysland (FR) ts, p 6 11 4 D. Cottin FRA Mr John P. McManus Jonathan Plouganou
5 Fact of The Matter (IRE) ts, p 10 11 4 Jamie Snowden The Sandylini Racing Partnership Gavin Sheehan
6 Josies Orders (IRE) p 12 11 4 Enda Bolger IRE Mr John P. McManus Mark Walsh
7 Kingswell Theatre p 11 11 4 Michael Scudamore Mr John J. Murray Tom Scudamore
8 Might Bite (IRE) 11 11 4 Nicky Henderson The Knot Again Partnership Nico de Boinville
9 Neverushacon (IRE) ts, p 9 11 4 Mrs J. Harrington IRE Mr D. R. Scott Paddy Kennedy
10 Outlander (IRE) p 12 11 4 Richard Spencer Gowing’s Eleven James Bowen
11 Out Sam v,ts 11 11 4 Gordon Elliott IRE Mr D Charlesworth
12 Sumkindofking (IRE) ts, p 9 11 4 Tom George Mr D. W. Fox Mr Noel George
13 Tiger Roll (IRE) bl,ts 10 11 4 Gordon Elliott IRE Gigginstown House Stud Keith Donoghue
14 Urgent de Gregaine (FR) ts, p 12 11 4 Emmanuel Clayeux FRA A. Rasquier Felix de Giles
15 Utility (GER) 9 11 4 Sophie Leech Mr James Finch Mr Damien Skehan
16 Yanworth p 10 11 4 Enda Bolger IRE Mr John P. McManus Darragh O’Keeffe

Odds:
Tiger Roll (4/5), Easysland (3/1), Urgent De Gregaine (12/1), Might Bite (12/1), Yanworth (14/1), Neverushacon (14/1), Diesel D’Allier (16/1), Out Sam (25/1), Josies Orders (25/1), Arlequin D’Allier (33/1), Outlander (33/1), Kingswell Theatre (33/1), Sumkindofking (50/1), Chic Name (50/1), Fact Of The Matter (50/1), Utility (100/1)

Expert view from Charlie McCann:
The Cross Country Chase sees Tiger Roll (4.10) attempt to add a third win in this unique test to his Festival triumphs in the Triumph Hurdle and NH Chase as well as two Grand Nationals. French raider Easyland has won his last six including over today’s C&D, but he has not yet met a horse of the calibre of the Tiger who will be in many doubles with Envoi Allen in the opener. Gordon Elliot’s equine superstar is a best priced Even money.

4.50pm Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) 2m 87y £80,000

The Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, run over an extended two miles, was one of the new races introduced to The Festival in 2005 when the meeting was extended from three to four days.

Confirmed Field:
1 Mick Pastor (FR) h,ts 4 11 10 Paul Nicholls Mr John P. McManus Barry Geraghty
2 Aramax (GER) 4 11 8 Gordon Elliott IRE Mr John P. McManus Mark Walsh
3 Palladium 4 11 7 Nicky Henderson A. Meade, G. Van Geest, E. Kelvin-Hughes Nico de Boinville
4 Langer Dan (IRE) 4 11 5 Dan Skelton Mr Colm Donlon Harry Skelton
5 Blacko (FR) 4 11 5 Alan King Apple Tree Stud Tom Bellamy
6 Zoffee 4 11 4 Philip Hobbs Mr Alan Peterson Richard Johnson
7 Clemencia (IRE) ts 4 11 4 Tim Vaughan Mr D. W. Fox Alan Johns
8 Galahad Quest (FR) 4 11 4 Nick Williams Holt, Macnabb, Robinson & Jeffrey Sam Twiston-Davies
9 Saint d’Oroux (FR) ts 4 11 3 Gordon Elliott IRE Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede Daryl Jacob
10 Thyme White (FR) h 4 11 3 Paul Nicholls The Stewart Family Harry Cobden
11 Night Edition (FR) 4 11 3 David Pipe Mr Stuart & Simon Mercer & John Gent Tom Scudamore
12 Bajan Excell (IRE) v 4 11 3 Gavin Cromwell IRE Mr Brendan Keogh Conor McNamara (5)
13 Fraser Island (IRE) 4 11 2 Nicky Henderson Mr A. D. Spence Jeremiah McGrath
14 Recent Revelations (IRE) ts 4 11 2 Gordon Elliott IRE Half Married Syndicate
15 Sacchoandvanzetti (IRE) 4 11 2 John Queally IRE Mr M. A. Ryan Jody McGarvey
16 Group Stage (GER) 4 11 1 Alan King McNeill Family & Niall Farrell A. P. Heskin
17 Gerolamo Cardano 4 11 1 D. J. Jeffreys Mr Mark E. Smith Kielan Woods
18 Theatre of War (IRE) 4 11 0 Gavin Cromwell IRE Clara Jug Syndicate Jonathan Moore
19 Repetitio (IRE) h 4 11 0 Nigel Hawke Atlantic Friends Racing David Noonan
20 Goa Lil (FR) h 4 11 0 Nigel Twiston-Davies Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede James Bowen
21 Tronador (IRE) bl 4 10 13 Gordon Elliott IRE Mr M. Wasylocha Davy Russell
22 Gealach (IRE) 4 10 13 Gordon Elliott IRE Bronx Boys Partnership
R23 Manucci (IRE) 4 10 12 Amanda Perrett John Connolly & Odile Griffith Ben Jones (3)
R24 Scorched Earth (IRE) 4 10 11 Dan Skelton The Blind Squirrels

Odds:
Aramax (5/1), Mick Pastor (7/1), Tronador (8/1), Thyme White (10/1), Palladium (10/1), Recent Revelations (14/1), Theatre Of War (14/1), Repetitio (14/1), Night Edition (16/1), Blacko (16/1), Saint D’Oroux (16/1), Bajan Excell (20/1), Fraser Island (20/1), Group Stage (20/1), Goa Lil (20/1), Zoffee (20/1), Galahad Quest (20/1), Sacchoandvanzetti (25/1), Gealach (25/1), Langer Dan (25/1), Gerolamo Cardano (33/1), Clemencia (33/1)

Expert view from Charlie McCann:
I would have been confident of a big run from Zoffee in the Fred Winter on decent ground but is not going to be the case and I am hearing good reports coming out of the Elliot yard surrounding Aramax (4.50). The selection had useful form in his native France and ran his best race yet when scoring at Naas last month and this has long been the target. The each way recommendation is a general 13/2 chance. It could be a very big day for both owner McManus and trainer Elliot.

5.30pm Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Grade 1) 2m 87y £75,000

The Champion Bumper is the most prestigious flat race, or “bumper”, in the National Hunt calendar. The contest was introduced at The Festival in 1992.

The Irish have dominated this race over the years and trainer Willie Mullins has had nine winners.

Confirmed Field:
1 Adrimel (FR) ts 5 11 5 Tom Lacey Lady Bamford & Alice Bamford Richard Johnson
2 Appreciate It (IRE) 6 11 5 W. P. Mullins IRE Miss M. A. Masterson Mr P. W. Mullins
3 Ask A Honey Bee (IRE) 6 11 5 Fergal O’Brien Lewis, Lawson and Hope Paddy Brennan
4 Brief Ambition 6 11 5 Fergal O’Brien C Coley, D Porter, H Redknapp, P Smith Adam Wedge
5 Can You Call 5 11 5 Andrew Martin Mr Andrew J. Martin Mr James Martin
6 Eskylane (IRE) 6 11 5 Gordon Elliott IRE K Haughey/Laura Haughey/Kieran T Byrne Davy Russell
7 Ferny Hollow (IRE) h 5 11 5 W. P. Mullins IRE Cheveley Park Stud P. Townend
8 Five Bar Brian (IRE) 6 11 5 W. P. Mullins IRE Beswick Brothers Bloodstock Partnership David Mullins
9 Good Time Jonny (IRE) ts 5 11 5 A. J. Martin IRE A Shiels/Donal Gavigan/Niall Reilly
10 Israel Champ (IRE) h,ts 5 11 5 David Pipe John White & Anne Underhill Tom Scudamore
11 Julies Stowaway (IRE) 6 11 5 Ms Margaret Mullins IRE Mr M. O’Callaghan Daniel Mullins
12 Linelee King (FR) 5 11 5 Olly Murphy Mrs Diana L. Whateley A. P. Heskin
13 Mahler Allstar (IRE) 6 11 5 Jonathan Sweeney IRE Patrick Pyne Mark Walsh
14 One True King (IRE) 5 11 5 Nigel Twiston-Davies Teme Valley 2 Sam Twiston-Davies
15 Snowpiercer (FR) 6 11 5 Lady Susan Brooke Lady Susan Brooke Miss Lorna Brooke
16 Third Time Lucki (IRE) 5 11 5 Dan Skelton Mike and Eileen Newbould Harry Skelton
17 Darling Daughter (IRE) 6 10 12 Gordon Elliott IRE Gigginstown House Stud Ms L. O’Neill
18 Queens Brook (IRE) 5 10 12 Gordon Elliott IRE Noel Moran/Mrs Valerie Moran
19 The Glancing Queen (IRE) 6 10 12 Alan King Dingwall, Farrell, Hornsey & Murray Tom Cannon
20 Audacity 4 10 11 Warren Greatrex The Audacity Partnership Gavin Sheehan
21 Let Me Entertain U 4 10 11 Michael Scudamore Mr Mark Dunphy Brendan Powell
22 Ocean Wind 4 10 11 Roger Teal Rockingham Reins Limited Aidan Coleman
23 Panic Attack (IRE) 4 10 4 David Pipe Bryan Drew Brian Hughes

Odds:
Appreciate It (6/4), Queens Brook (6/1), Panic Attack (8/1), Ferny Hollow (8/1), Israel Champ (10/1), Ocean Wind (12/1), Third Time Lucki (16/1), The Glancing Queen (16/1), Eskylane (16/1), Darling Daughter (20/1), Adrimel (25/1), Julies Stowaway (25/1), Ask A Honey Bee (25/1), Five Bar Brian (33/1), Good Time Jonny (33/1), Linelee King (50/1), Mahler Allstar (50/1), One True King (50/1), Audacity (50/1), Let Me Entertain U (50/1), Brief Ambition (66/1), Can You Call (66/1), Snowpiercer (200/1)

Expert view from Charlie McCann:
Willie Mullins has saddled the winner of the Champion Bumper nine times previously and he saddles three in his quest for a tenth success including Appreciate It (5.30) who looked a potential star when scoring at Leopardstown in a Grade 2 last time. That is the best form on offer although at 2/1 he has hardly gone under the radar.