Cheltenham Festival Day Two tips as Monty's Star napped and Edwardstone looks solid for Champion Chase

If you want to top up your winnings or try and make up for day one losses then our man has got you covered for day two.

MONTY'S STAR (2:10) can take command in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase on Day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival. Henry de Bromhead’s raider looks tailor-made for the demands of this tough three-mile Grade 1. The gelding was a quality novice hurdler who showed class and grit to land a Grade 3 at Clonmel. He was clearly feeling the effects of that run when pulled-up in the Albert Bartlett here next time. Despite those efforts, the strapping seven-year-old’s future always lay over the larger obstacles. He was certainly an eye-catcher when third to Corbetts Cross over 2m 5f on debut at Fairyhouse. The bay delivered on that promise when caning Three Card Brag over three miles at Punchestown. The chaser jumped and travelled very professionally once again so he can deny some exciting foes.

BALLYBURN (1:30) can justify cramped odds for Willie Mullins in the Gallagher Novices' Hurdle. Expectations were high for the six-year-old over timber after some impressive efforts in bumpers. The gelding didn’t please everyone when beaten by Firefox on debut over two miles at Fairyhouse. However, he silenced his critics by showing Cleatus Poolaw no mercy up in trip at Leopardstown. The bay then defied a drop in trip by crushing Slade Steel in Grade 1 company at the same venue. That was a polished performance so the rising star can triumph for Scottish owner Ronnie Bartlett.

The Closutton Ace can strike again with YOU OUGHTA KNOW (5:30) in the Champion Bumper. The six-year-old was a well-backed 3-1 shot ahead of his racecourse debut at Killarney in May. He duly delivered the goods for his supporters when absolutely bolting-up from Croke Park. The gelding raised his game again when cosily denying Toto Too after a break at the Galway Festival. The bay stayed upwardly mobile when second to Jeroboam Machin in a Leopardstown Grade 2. That is top-class form so the son of Beat Hollow can regain the winning thread at the highest level.

Fellow Scotsman Kenneth Alexander can lift the Coral Cup with DODDIETHEGREAT (2:50). Nicky Henderson’s bay stayed 2m 5f well when cruising to victory on his timber bow at Kempton. He then didn’t mind dropping back to two miles when comfortably defeating Junkanoo at Ascot. The gelding was then unlucky to encounter the talented Go Dante on his handicap debut here. He ran another stormer when staying-on strongly for fourth in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury. This huge prize has been the target ever since so the eight-year-old can prevail back up in trip.

EDWARDSTONE (3:30) looks rock-solid for Alan King in the Queen Mother Champion Chase. The star capped a glorious novice campaign with a gallant win in the Arkle at the 2022 Festival. He looked set to dominate the two-mile division when easily landing the Tingle Creek at Sandown. However, the gelding began to resent being held-up and his form tailed-off for the rest of the term. The bay seemed to be on the way back when chasing home Jonbon on his first two runs this season. That looked a false dawn when the chaser was only fourth to Bainbridge over 2m 4f at Kempton. He relished a switch to front-running when routing Funambule Sivola in the Game Spirit at Newbury. That was a personal best so this class act can put his rivals to the sword from the front once again.

COKO BEACH (4:10) can boost Gordon Elliott’s super record in the Glenfarclas Cross-Country Chase. The nine-year-old was better than ever when third to Gevrey in the Munster National at Limerick. However, he really excelled himself when brushing aside Limerick Lace in the Troytown at Navan. The grey handled the big National fences well when second to Chambard in the Becher at Aintree. He then warmed-up well for today by thrashing Genois on the cross-country tack at Punchestown. The gelding remains in peak form so he can make his abundant class tell in a competitive contest.

LIBBERTY HUNTER (4:50) can run wild for Evan Williams the Grand Annual Handicap Chase. The hurdler built up a respectable profile in novice hurdles only to flop on his final run at Taunton. He disappointed again when falling on his first attempt over fences in a strong Chepstow novice. The gelding quickly atoned by jumping and galloping Filanderer into submission at Wincanton. He was even more impressive when decisively defeating the talented Matata over track and trip. There is plenty more to come from this smart type who can bag a tricky event for his shrewd yard.

CHELTENHAM

1:30 BALLYBURN

2:10 MONTY'S STAR (NAP)

2:50 DODDIETHEGREAT

3:30 EDWARDSTONE

4:10 COKO BEACH

4:50 LIBBERTY HUNTER

5:30 YOU OUGHTA KNOW

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