Preview, card and easy methods to watch
Day Two of the Cheltenham Competition was one devoted to the reminiscence of Michael O’Sullivan.
Each horses concerned in O’Sullivan’s 2023 Cheltenham double, Marine Nationale and Jazzy Matty, prevailed within the Champion Chase and the Grand Annual Chase. Their wins coming just below a month after his tragic dying from accidents sustained in a fall at Thurles.
With O’Sullivan’s tragic passing nonetheless on the forefront of the thoughts of everybody within the horse racing neighborhood, consideration when it comes to occasions over Cheltenham’s fences will probably be targeted on the Stayers’ Hurdle and the Ryanair Chase.
Card
1.20 – Mares Novices’ Hurdle
The newest addition to the Competition calendar, having first been run in 2016, coach Willie Mullins will probably be hoping to re-establish his dominance of this race.
Mullins skilled the primary 5 winners, however the final 4 editions have been gained by 4 totally different trainers. Mullins has endured a barren run in that point, however has seven runners on this one. Aurora Vega (9-1) is his finest shot, however Sixandahalf is the 3-1 favorite.
2.00 – Jack Richards Novices’ Chase
Reintroduced to the programme for this yr having initially been run from 2005 to 2020, 13-2 Nurburgring is the favorite for Joseph Patrick O’Brien. Nonetheless, Caldwell Potter (16-1) is the one Grade 1 winner within the 20-strong discipline, making him a good likelihood for coach Paul Nicholls.
2.40 – Pertemps Handicap Hurdle
Seen as one thing of a stepping stone for youthful horses with designs on greater and higher issues in leap racing, Nico De Boinville will probably be hoping to bounce again from his disappointment aboard Jonbon within the Champion Chase. He rides 15-2 favorite Jeriko Du Reponet.
3.20 – Ryanair Chase
Run over two miles and 4 furlongs, that is the premier race for horses whose supreme distance falls someplace between that of the Champion Chase and the Gold Cup. Mullins’ Truth to File is the 5-4 favorite, however 7-1 Protektorat is aiming to win for the second successive yr for jockey Harry Skelton and coach Dan Skelton.
4.00 – Stayers’ Hurdle
Thursday belongs to the lengthy distance hurdlers as they sort out this three-mile Grade 1 contest. Teahupoo (13-8) is the favorite to prevail as he did in 2024 for Gordon Elliott, who additionally has the second favorite in The Wallpark (6-1). Fortunate Place (7-1) offers one other alternative for De Boinville to atone for his Wednesday disappointment.
4.40 – Competition Place Handicap
This handicap chase has usually proved a springboard to Grade 1 success. Final yr’s winner Shakem Up’Arry (18-1) is within the discipline, however 9-2 favorite Jagwar gained at Cheltenham again in January.
5.20 – Kim Muir Handicap Chase
An extended distance race restricted to beginner jockeys offers the chance for an additional emotional victory as Michael O’Sullivan’s brother Alan rides 5-1 favorite Strolling On Air on his Cheltenham debut.
Climate
The climate is about truthful for Thursday. There will probably be partly cloudy situations with a excessive of seven levels Celsius.
Learn how to watch
Within the UK, you may watch all of the races on ITV Racing and Racing TV. Racing TV is offered by way of Sky and Virgin Media.
In the event you’re not close to a TV set, you may stream the occasion by way of ITV Racing and Racing TV.
