As the Cheltenham Festival 2026 moves into its second day our horse racing expert Steven Mullington identifies his three best bets for Champion Chase Day.
1.20pm The Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 5f
Former top Festival rider Ruby Walsh believes KING RASKO GREY will come forward from Leopardstown and will be a player in this Grade 1. That was only his second start over hurdles and he will have learned plenty from the experience.
Finishing just half a length behind Talk The Talk was no mean feat as that horse has won three from four hurdling contests already, which makes the six-year old dangerously unexposed and an interesting bet at odds of 6/1.
3.20pm The Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase 3m 6f
Gavin Cromwell’s STUMPTOWN has taken extremely well to cross-country races and is unbeaten in two starts over the cross-country course at Cheltenham.
He won with plenty more in hand at the December meeting last season before following up at the Festival in first-time cheekpieces, finishing strongly up the hill to score by seven lengths.
He’s since won the Velka Pardubicka in the Czech Republic and has had a well earned rest since. If he can fend of Gordon Elliott’s Favori De Champdou then he takes this prize again.
5.20pm The Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Grade 1) 2m
WITH NOLIMIT split Broadway Ted and Charismatic Kid at Leopardstown at the Dublin Racing Festival and appears to be flying undetected off the betting radar for this contest.
He shaped well at the DRF and he was only just pipped to the post by a short-head. Hailing from the Gordon Elliott yard, the former point-to-point scorer should not be underestimated, even if he is a 25/1 shot. I personally think he should be half those odds.
*Odds subject to change - prices accurate at the time of writing*
