The second day of the Cheltenham Festival was a dedicated to the memory of Michael O’Sullivan.
The two horses involved in the double of Cheltenham in 2023 of O’Sullivan, Navy navy and Jazzy Matty, prevailed in the champion Chase and the great annual Chase. Their victories coming just under a month after his tragic death of the injuries suffered during a fall in Thurles.
With the tragic passage of O’Sullivan always at the forefront of the spirit of all in the horse racing community, the attention in terms of events on the fences of Cheltenham will be concentrated on the obstacle of the stayers and the pursuit of Ryanair.
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1,20 – Novice pond obstacle
The most recent addition to the festival calendar, having been directed for the first time in 2016, coach Willie Mullins hopes to restore his domination of this race.
Mullins formed the first five winners, but the last four editions were won by four different coaches. Mullins endured a sterile race at that time, but has seven runners in it. Aurora Vega (9-1) is his best blow, but Sixandahalf is the 3-1 favorite.
2.00 – Jack Richards Novice Chase
Reintroduced this year’s program after being managed from 2005 to 2020, the 13-2 Nurburgring is the favorite for Joseph Patrick O’Brien. However, Caldwell Potter (16-1) is the only winner of the first year in the field of 20 people, making it a decent chance for coach Paul Nicholls.
2.40 – Host Hosting Handicap Sentemps
Given as something of a springboard for younger horses with creations on bigger and better things in the jump race, Nico de Boinville hopes to bounce back from his disappointment aboard the champion’s pursuit. He goes up 15-2, the favorite, Jeriko of the Reponet.
3.20 – Ryanair Chase
Run on two miles and four stadiums, this is the first race for horses whose ideal distance is somewhere between that of the Chase Chase and the Gold Cup. The fact of Mullins to be deposited is the 5-4 favorite, but the 7-1 Protektorate aims to win for the second successive year for the Jockey Harry Skelton and the coach Dan Skelton.
4.00 – Hordle des Stayers
Thursday belongs to the long distance hedges while they attack this three -thousand competition. Teahupoo (13-8) is the favorite to win as he did in 2024 for Gordon Elliott, who also has the second favorite in the screen stadium (6-1). Lucky Place (7-1) offers another opportunity for De Boinville to atone for his Wednesday disappointment.
4.40 – Festival Place Handicap
This pursuit by Handicap has often proved a springboard towards the success of Grade 1.. The winner of last year, Shakem Up’arry (18-1), is on the ground, but Jagwar favorite of 9-2 won in Cheltenham in January.
5.20 – Kim Muir Handicap Chase
A long-distance race limited to amateur jockeys offers the possibility of another emotional victory while the brother of Michael O’Sullivan, Alan, Monte 5-1 Walking on Air during his beginnings in Cheltenham.
Weather report
Time is defined for Thursday. There will be partially cloudy conditions with a summit of seven degrees Celsius.
How to look
In the United Kingdom, you can watch all the races on ITV Racing and Racing TV. Racing TV is available via Sky and Virgin Media.
If you are not near a TV, you can broadcast the event via ITV Racing and Racing TV.
