Don Poli Can Be Winning Jolly Adding To Bookie Misery

Willie Mullins Fancied To Dominate Another Day At Cheltenham As Punters Draw First Blood

Punters were very much the victors on Day One but the bookies lived to fight another day after Annie Power’s unlucky fall at the last in the Mares’ Hurdle.

Another top class day of racing awaits and Willie Mullins has a strong hand to play once again.

 

Bookies May Have A Canyon To Climb After Day Two Opener

 

It would be no surprise if Willie Mullins continued his domination of the Cheltenham Festival given he saddles both the 4/1 joint favourites in this race.

Nichols Canyon, placed in Group 3 company on the flat and the highest rated of these, is the choice of Ruby Walsh and there is no reason why he shouldn’t be the choice of the punters.

His previously sketchy jumping improved last time when allowed to bowl along in front (a tactic that worked well for the horse on the flat) and as he won over 14f on the flat, he should appreciate the step up to 21f here as much as any other runner.

He can make it a third Grade 1 win.

 

Mullins has won this race 3 times in 7 years so his other joint favourite Outlander should also be noted.

His form doesn’t look quite as strong as Nichols Canyon’s though so it is no surprise that Walsh made the selection he did.

 

Some will fancy fellow Irish raider Windsor Park (9/2) to improve plenty over this trip but he’ll very much need to having already been beaten by both of Willie Mullins’ pair.

Parlour Games (6/1) may have more of a say than Windsor Park though and he can put his course experience to good use by following Nichols Canyon home.

 

Don The One To Be On In Trappy RSA Chase

 

This is getting boring now but Willie Mullins may well repeat his feat from day one by training the winner of the first two races.

Don Poli looks the standout pick in the RSA Chase at 2/1. He was an impressive handicap winner over hurdles here last season and has an unblemished record over fences this season.

He started off winning a beginners’ chase at Gowran Park by 2.5 lengths and it is worth noting that the second home, Wounded Warrior, has since easily won a Grade 2 Chase and he reopposes here.

Don Poli followed up with another easy win, this time in a Grade 1, beating Apache Stronghold who has since won at Grade 1 level and is well fancied for the JLT Novices’ Chase on Friday.

All in all Don Poli’s form is extremely strong and he has important course form to boost confidence further.

 

It may well be 7/2 second favourite Kings Palace that follows him home.

He may have flopped at last year’s Festival but he’s won his other 3 starts here and he looks better in smaller fields, which is a bonus here.

His form just doesn’t stack up in the same way as Don Poli’s though.

 

Previous Course Form Holds The Key In Cross Country Chase

 

The Cross Country Chase is always an interesting contest and favourite Any Currency, an 11/2 chance, may have damaged his chances of winning this having won easily over this course in December.

That has resulted in a 9lb rise leaving him 17lbs higher than when beaten a short head in this last year.

He struggles to get his head in front at the best of times (just 4 wins from 29 chase starts) so should be passed over here for win purposes.

 

Sire Collonges finished 2.25 lengths ahead of Any Currency over course and distance in November and is now 7lbs better off so should be backed to confirm that form at 7/1.

He’s been put away since then to protect his mark.