Stephen Harris’ Cheltenham Festival Day 2 Tips

Ben Pauling has his team in blistering form ahead of the Cheltenham Festival, with six winners in the last 14 days at a 19pc strike rate. His strong travelling, quirky chaser returned to winning form at Sandown in February and should relish this fast run two-mile handicap on improving ground.

He needs producing as late as possible up the final hill by regular rider Kielan Woods (idles badly and has chucked away races before), but there will be a very strong pace on here in a big field and he looks the value call in a typically competitive renewal of the Grand Annual.

Martin Brassil’s unexposed novice has created a big impression in winning two of his four career starts over hurdles so far, with real improvement coming since he was upped in trip on deep ground at Limerick and Punchestown.

His opening handicap mark looks on the generous side, with his connections less feared than some of the bigger trainers in Ireland, and he has plenty of scope to keep on improving granted a through test of stamina over this trip.

Henry de Bromhead’s young chaser has always been held in the highest regard at home, and his proven stamina for three miles could count for plenty if this becomes a real slog in the mud up the sapping final climb for home (which seems likely with a few confirmed frontrunners in the line-up).

He is a sound jumper who maintains a relentless gallop from the tape and remains open to more improvement after just two starts over fences (with regular rider Rachael Blackmore likely to be positive and have him out of trouble throughout).