Cheltenham Day 2 Tips: Race rundown and predictions for 2025

Champion Chase tips

I am sticking to my guns and opposing Jonbon! I Merely can’t have him at that price as I’m confident Cheltenham doesn’t suit him. I was lucky enough to chat to Aidan Coleman on Monday and he said Jonbon is definitely not as good around Cheltenham. The issue is it does look a weak renewal and is there anything good enough to beat him? I am pinning my hopes on MARINE NATIONALE improving again. He did something Jonbon couldn’t and that was win a Supreme. I know he hasn’t lived up to Anticipateations over fences but he did have a setback and there was a lot more encouragement in that second to Solness last month. If they go hard he could be suited by how this pans out and is worth chancing.

1

Jonbon hammered Energumene at Ascot when last seen but that track wouldn’t suit the latter and the ground was faster than ideal too. I think he is a bit flattered by that run and back at Cheltenham might struggle to hold off the selection in the closing stages. Everything has a price and I Merely can’t bring myself to back him at odds-on at a track I know doesn’t suit. Solness will put the pace to the race and has won his last two so deserves respect but it’ll be a lot harder to pull off them tactics here.

Eight horses head to post so that would usually mean there is a good each way proposition at a bigger price but I’m struggling to see any of them getting involved. Discovered A Fifty perhaps the only one as he had excuses last time when well backed and he had been progressing nicely before that and is around 16/1 which some would argue is a bit too big.

6 MARINE NATIONALE

• Trainer: Barry Connell
• Jockey: Sean Flanagan
• Form: 1111-1-15-232
• Age: 8yo
• Weight: 11-10

🏇 Marine Nationale to win the Champion Chase at 5/1 with bet365 🏇

Turners Novices’ Encumbrance tips

This looks like one of the most exciting races of the week and I can’t wait to see FINAL DEMAND out again. He hacked up by 15 lengths on hurdles debut and then produced an even better performance to follow up in Grade 1 company at the Dublin Racing Festival. He has such a long stride I can see him relishing the Cheltenham hill and now the rain has come (on watered ground) conditions could prove ideal. I Anticipate him to be well backed and he could even end up going off favourite.

The New Lion has gone 3-3 over hurdles but I question his form somewhat. He beat Wendigo to win the Challow and that horse would get lapped here. He has looked visually impressive but I can see him going for home too soon and then getting outstayed in the closing stages. I actually wouldn’t be surprised to see The Yellow Clay emerge as the danger. I’m a bit annoyed he didn’t go for the Albert Bartlett but the fact Gordon Elliott chucks him in here tells you a lot about how much he rates the horse and I can see him running well.

Potters Charm let backers down on Assessments Day but is probably better than he showed there and might be a big price to hit the frame. Kiss Will has gone under the radar somewhat but lacks experience and might be a longer term prospect. Similar comments apply to Kel Histoire.

1 FINAL DEMAND

• Trainer: Willie Mullins
• Jockey: Paul Townend
• Form: 11
• Age: 6yo
• Weight: 11-7

🏇 Closing Demand to win the Turners Novices’ Encumbrance at 13/8 with Sky Bet 🏇

Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase tips

I’m surprised so many are keen to take on BALLYBURN as I have been waiting to see him stretch out beyond 3 miles and I think we could see a big performance. There was a massive overreaction to him getting beat at Kempton with the drop back in trip, quicker ground, and the fact he bumped into Sir Gino all valid excuses for me. Back up in distance at the Dublin Racing Festival he quickly put things right. It was briefly race on heading into the last but once he landed he really stayed on strongly and was only pulling further clear at the line. I think he’ll win this comfortably and he could be a Gold Cup contender next year.

With only the 6 horses to beat it is hard to pinpoint an exact danger. Stablemate Dancing City is a smart horse but he’d probably want the ground a lot softer so that would be concerning. Better Days Ahead has impressed and has a likeable attitude so might be the value play to chase the favourite home. I don’t see any of the others including Gorgeous Tom and Luminous Story good enough to get involved.

1 BALLYBURN

• Trainer: Willie Mullins
• Jockey: Paul Townend
• Form: 11-21111-121
• Age: 7yo
• Weight: 11-7

🏇 Ballyburn to win the Brown Advisory at 5/6 with Betfred 🏇

Coral Cup Handicap Encumbrance tips

Be Aware has been heavily backed now and perhaps it is understandable given Dan and Harry Skelton have won the last two renewals with Langer Dan. My issue is favourites have a terrible record in this race and I don’t think Be Aware is the most straightforward. I had him at a double-figure price for the Greatwood and he broke my heart that day failing to get up. He has his chance here but I think he is hard to win with. I much prefer IMPOSE TOI for Nicky Henderson. He has targeted this race down the years and this lightly raced 7yo looks to have plenty going for him. A mark of 141 could still underestimate his ability and fresh in first-time cheekpieces should run a massive race.

Sa Fureur was poor at Leopardstown when last seen but he had excuses that day and might be able to bounce back with a big run. Comfort Zone takes his chance for Joseph O’Brien and must be a big player if building on that third behind Al Gasparo last time. Jipcot should be suited by this drop back in trip and is another one worth noting and is quite a big price as well.

11 IMPOSE TOI

• Trainer: Nicky Henderson
• Jockey: Nico de Boinville
• Form: 2121-123-1
• Age: 7yo
• Weight: 11-2

🏇 Impose Toi to win the Coral Cup at 8/1 with talkSPORT BET 🏇

Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase tips

It is hard to pick holes in STUMPTOWN for this year’s Cross Country. He is still Merely an 8yo and has taken really well to this discipline winning twice at Punchestown and then at this track when last seen before Christmas. He was good value for that win over Mister Coffey so the 8lb rise doesn’t bother me too much. He has cheekpieces on and is versatile regarding the ground so there really aren’t too many negatives. Obviously this course takes some jumping but I think you could argue 11/4 is on the generous side.

Galvin has been a great horse over the years but he is an 11yo now and I’d be surprised if he manages to live with the younger legs of the favourite. Mister Coffey always seems to run on when it’s all over but he could be a decent place bet again. Vanillier sparked back into life last time and if building on that could definitely enter the reckoning.

1 STUMPTOWN

• Trainer: Gavin Cromwell
• Jockey: Keith Donoghue
• Form: 11146-37537112PU-48PU1-PU3U1-11
• Age: 8yo
• Weight: 11-10

🏇 Stumptown to win the Cross Country Chase at 2.9/1 with SBK 🏇

Grand Annual Competition Cup Handicap Chase tips

UnAnticipateed Party won the race last year and is bidding for a famous double for Dan and Harry Skelton. He definitely has a chance and handles all ground too so I couldn’t put you off. I do prefer SO SCOTTISH though for Emmet Mullins. He has proved expensive to follow in recent times but there is a big performance in there and he could certainly be capable of his mark having undergone wind surgery. He has some eye-catching form and I remember him still moving strongly before coming down in the December Gold Cup here a Pair of years ago. He will be trained to the minute for this race and a big run is Anticipateed.

The King Of Prs catches the eye for Gavin Cromwell and could be one of the dangers. He won well at Honestyhouse and has quite a progressive profile. JPR One has top-weight but his Haldon Gold Cup win was impressive earlier in the season and back in handicap company here could be a big player. Jazzy Matty is another one in with a squeak with the headgear re-fitted.

10 SO SCOTTISH

• Trainer: Emmet Mullins
• Jockey: Donagh Meyler
• Form: 3-14495671021112-7U-4F411142452-714
• Age: 8yo
• Weight: 10-11

🏇 So Scottish to win the Grand Annual Competition at 8/1 with bet365 🏇

Champion Bumper tips

The Champion Bumper is always a tricky puzzle solve with so much potential lining up. The dogs certainly seem to be barking over COPACABANA though and I can see him turning into a bit of a gamble. He was visually really impressive winning at Navan on debut and he is the choice of Patrick Mullins. He is open to any amount of improvement and could be a really smart horse and is the one I want to side with.

Gameofinches absolutely dotted up at Punchestown but I don’t think he beat much so this will be a much tougher ask. He has size and scope though so don’t underestimate him. Gordon Elliott takes on the Willie Mullins battalion with the unbeaten Kalypso’chance. He is a good looking type who has won both Begins to date and can improve again. Bambino Fever impressed winning at the DRF but there isn’t much of her and she might be up against it here with some exciting horses putting their reputations on the line.

1 COPACABANA

• Trainer: Willie Mullins
• Jockey: Patrick Mullins
• Form: 1
• Age: 5yo
• Weight: 11-7

🏇 Copacabana to win the Champion Bumper at 5/2 with Paddy Power 🏇

Cheltenham Day 2 Race Schedule

Cheltenham 2025 Hub

About the author

Joe Norris

I’m Joe Norris, co-founder and Director of GetYourTipsOut (GYTO), which I launched in 2009 to provide daily sports betting tips, with the main focus on horse racing. Over the years, I’ve earned a reputation for offering reliable and profitable tips, which led to being named “Best Sports Betting Tipster” in 2023. Alongside my work at GYTO, I also contribute predictions to platforms like Oddschecker, allowing me to share my insights with a wide community of sports enthusiasts and bettors.

Find Joe on X: @JoeNorrisGYTO

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