As the countdown begins to the 2022 Cheltenham Festival, it’s that time of year when everyone who loves horse racing begins to examine the racing betting Betdaq odds to try and pick their favourites. The annual Prestbury Park-based meeting is just about the biggest racing fixture on the calendar, attracting fans from up and down the country, and around the world too.
As the excitement and anticipation starts to build, let’s look back at some of the events of last year’s Cheltenham Festival, focusing on day two of the meeting.
Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle – Bob Olinger
The second day of the 2021 Festival began with the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle, where Rachael Blackmore rode Bob Olinger to victory for trainer Henry de Bromhead. The jockey-trainer duo were fresh from their Champion Hurdle success with Honeysuckle the day before, and it took a gutsy display from Bob Olinger and Blackmore to secure a seven-and-a-half-length winning margin over second-place Gaillard Du Mesnil.
Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase – Monkfish
The novices’ chases at the Cheltenham Festival are always a great opportunity to get a glimpse of the stars of years to come, and it was Monkfish who earned a fine victory for trainer Willie Mullins, with Paul Townend in the saddle. Mullins and Townend had finished second in a number of previous races at the meeting, including the Ballymore, but Townend was able to put that to one side as he guided Monkfish to a comfortable triumph.
Handicap Hurdle – Heaven Help Us
A Handicap Hurdle followed the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, and 33/1 shot Heaven Help us, ridden by Richard Condon, earned the win for trainer Paul Hennessey. It was another race that failed to grant the TV viewers a close finish, with Heaven Help Us finishing some nine lengths clear of second-place Craigneiche.
Queen Mother Champion Chase – Put The Kettle On
When it comes to day two of the Cheltenham Festival, the race that dominates everyone’s thinking is the Queen Mother Champion Chase. One of the meeting’s most famous events, it is one that causes racing fans to stop what they’re doing and watch with bated breath.
All eyes were on odds-on favourite Chacun Pour Soi, whom everyone thought would land the win for Mullins and Townend. However, in a surprising turn, it was Put The Kettle On who triumphed at odds of 17/2, after a memorable performance by Aidan Coleman in the saddle. It was another huge win for De Bromhead, whose Festival was getting better with every passing moment.
Glenfarclas Chase – Tiger Roll
The lengthy Cross Country Chase followed the Champion Chase, but it produced a popular winner in the form of Tiger Roll, who won the Grand National on two successive occasions in 2018 and 2019. This was a case of rolling back the years for the Denise Foster-trained 11-year-old, as Tiger Roll thundered clear of the chasing pack to win by a cool 18 lengths.
Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase – Sky Pirate
Next up was the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase, where Sky Pirate earned the win for trainer Jonjo O’Neill. Nick Scholfield was the man in the saddle, expertly guiding Sky Pirate to a shorthead victory over second-place Entoucas.
Weatherbys Champion Bumper – Sir Gerhard
The second day of the Festival was to finish with yet more success for Blackmore in the Champion Bumper, this time riding the Willie Mullins-trained Sir Gerhard to victory. It was a battling performance from the Irishwoman, holding off the advances of Sir Gerhard’s stablemate Kilcruit to seal the win.
