We look set for another great day of horse racing action with day two of the Cheltenham Showcase meeting.
I was surprised when looking at the entries to find no declared runners from Paul Nicholls. We know they have started the season off slow, with the suggestion that most of his will need their first run of the season. But to see not one single entry only raises more concerns as to what may be effing team Ditchit.
Here’s hoping that it is nothing serious.
But on day two of the Cheltenham Showcase meeting, there are seven races to find your next winner.
Gavin Cromwell looks to keep his good run of form going with the exciting Bottler’secret in the Masterson Holding Hurdle, while John McConnell’s Intense Approach is out for compensation since coming second in the Welsh Champion Hurdle.
Here, you will find my best betting tips for day two of the Cheltenham Showcase meeting and the best online horse racing bookmakers to make your next bet a winning one.
Best day two Cheltenham’s Showcase Meeting betting tips
Cheltenham 1:10 – Marv Michael 6/1
Cheltenham 2.20 – Broadway Boy 4/1
Cheltenham 3:30 – Bottler’secret 1/1
Cheltenham 4:05 – Theatre Man 9/4
Cheltenham 1:10 – William Hill Top Price Guarantee Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (2m4f)
This is wide open, and many can have a case made for them.
Garud You Dream looks well-weighted compared to his best form over hurdles, and the win first time up over fences will do him all the good in the world. But if he is to continue with his front-running tactics, he needs to work on his technique to go with the Henry de Bromhead-trained MARV MICHAEL.
Marv Michael was just another average hurdler who took seven goes to get off the mark when winning at Tramore in August. There was no hanging around after that win, and like many of Henry’s horses, he has looked to have found market improvement when sent over fences.
He was bucked out in front at Kilbeggan and gave his rivals a jumping lesson to win, pulling away by seven lengths.
There is no doubt that Marv Michael has more to offer, and given Henry’s record at Cheltenham, he is one that they all must fear.
Current Betting: Gaurd Your Dreams 5/1, Marv Michael 6/1, Lord Of Thunder 15/2, Riskintheground 8/1, Doughmore Bay 17/2. Weveallbeencaught 9/1, Dutch Schultz 9/1, 10/1 bar.
Bet on Marv Michael with Paddy Power
Cheltenham 2:20 – William Hill Committed To Top Prices Handicap Chase (3m1f)
This is another handicap chase that can be won from the front by a horse who loves it around Cheltenham: BROADWAY BOY.
This has been a happy hunting ground for the Nigal Twiston-Davies runner, with three wins from four visits, with that defeat coming at the hands of two-time Stayers Hurdler winner and now facile Kerry National winner Flooring Porter.
He comes in here off just 3lb higher than when winning a Premier Handicap at the end of January in a field that included Threeunderthrufive and the now-Ryanair Chase winner Protekorat.
There will be no worries with him first time out as he beat the Paul Nicholls trained Mofasa by over nine lengths when making his seasonal return last year.
You know what you will get with Broadway Boy, and that is a bold front-running ride. Even given the mark of 149, it will take a very well-handicapped horse to get past him up the famous Cheltenham hill.
Some Scope became frustrating in his last two runs of the season, but this should be run to suit and may prove Broadway Boy’s most significant danger.
Current Betting: Broadway Boy 7/2, Some Scope 11/2, Senior Chief 6/1, Le Milos 17/2, Chasing Fire 10/1, Does He Know 11/1, Pepe Le Moko 11/1, 16/1 bar.
Bet on Broadway Boy with bet365
Cheltenham 3:30 – Masterson Holdings Hurdle (2m1/2f)
I wasn’t planning on putting up BOTTLER’SECRET here because I thought he would be long odds on when Salver was removed from the equation.
But that is not the case because, as of now, you can get EVS.
He is the clear form pick with a Grade 2 Juvenile win on only his second start over hurdles, where Givemefive was over 14 lengths behind the selection.
He backed that run up with a just over one length second to Kargees in the Grade 1 Champion Four-Year-Old Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival, with the now Galway Hurdle winner Nurburgring back in third.
That is standout form here, and even given weight away to the whole field, I cannot see that being enough to stop Bottler’secret getting his season off to a winning start.
If you are looking for an alternative to Bottler’secret, a small each-way bet on Balboa at 28/1 may be worth exploring.
Current Betting: Bottler’secret EVS, Givemefive 10/3, Dodger Long 9/2, Royal Way 14/1, Hasten Slowly 14/1, An Beandan Feasa 22/1, Balboa 28/1, Latin Verse 50/1.
Bet on Bottler’secret with Betano
Cheltenham 4:05 – William Hill Most Top Prices Novices’ Chase (3m1/2f)
This looks like a good opportunity for THEATRE MAN to finally get off the mark over fences.
Four runs over fences have resulted in two second-place finishes, a third, and an early fall in the TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, in which he was sent off 100/30 favourite.
When staying on his feet, Theatre Man has not been beaten more than just under five lengths, with the standout run being a second to Turners Novices’ Chase second, Ginny’s Destiny.
He had won on the back of a break before and ran second to Inch House the first time out last season, and with the five pounds he gets off Yeats Star and Hyland, he should be forward enough to take full advantage.
Current Betting: Theatre Man 9/4, Yeats Star 3/1, Hyland 4/1, Transmission 13/2, Moon D’orange, Bowtogreatness 17/2.
Bet on Theatre Man with Betfred
About the author
Andrew Halligan
My name is Andrew Halligan, horse racing pundit and founder of YouTube’s The Finishing Line Podcast. Horse racing is a thrilling spectacle that captivates audiences around the world with its blend of drama and excitement. Whether you’re a jumps or flat fan, I will use my experience of working within the horse racing industry to bring the best of what this sport has to offer.
You can follow Andrew on X (@Halligan88).
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