Cheltenham Festival Day 2 Tips - Best Bets for Wednesday 11th March 2026
Day 2 of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival promises excitement with key races like the Turners Novices' Hurdle and the Champion Chase. Expert tips suggest betting on horses like Sortudo and Hurricane Pat for an each-way play in the Turners. For the Brown Advisory, Western Fold and Predators Gold are promising at their odds. In other races, Kopeck De Mee, Vanillier, and Release The Beast offer potential. The selections are based on current form and specific conditions ideal for each horse, providing opportunities for both secure bets and outsider shots.
- Free tips for every race on day two of the Cheltenham Festival
- We've taken a wild punt on 50/1 shot Saint Segal in the 2026 Champion Chase
- Predators Gold, Kopeck De Mee and Release The Beast also feature in my Cheltenham day 2 tips
- 1:20pm Cheltenham - Turners Novices' Hurdle Tips
- 2:00pm Cheltenham - Brown Advisory Novices' Chase Tips
- 2:40pm Cheltenham - BetMGM Cup Tips
- 3:20pm Cheltenham - Cross Country Chase Tips
- 4:00pm Cheltenham - Champion Chase Tips
- Live Stream
- 4:40pm Cheltenham - Grand Annual Tips
- 5:20pm Cheltenham - Champion Bumper Tips
- Best Bet Of The Day
Day 2 Tips
Through the card tips for day two of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival.
Ten will contest the Champion Chase on Wednesday at the Cheltenham Festival. Healthy fields have been declared for both the Turners' Novices' Hurdle and the Brown Advisory, and the Ladies' Day handicaps look typically competitive.
Here are my best Cheltenham day 2 tips, covering all seven races on the second day of the Festival.
- Tips updated at 9.35am on 11.3.2026
Cheltenham Day 2 Card - Wednesday 11th March 2026
| Time | Wednesday Races | Status | Distance |
| 13:20 | Turners Novices' Hurdle | Grade One | 2m 5f |
| 14:00 | Brown Advisory Novices' Chase | Grade One | 3m |
| 14:40 | Coral Cup | Grade Three Handicap | 2m 5f |
| 15:20 | Cross Country Chase | Class Two Handicap | 3m 6f |
| 16:00 | Champion Chase | Grade One | 2m |
| 16:40 | Grand Annual Chase | Grade Three Handicap | 2m |
| 17:20 | Champion Bumper | Grade One | 2m |
Cheltenham Wednesday Tips 2026 – Day 2 Festival Best Bets
1:20pm Cheltenham - Turners Novices' Hurdle Tips
I've really struggled with this year's Turners. At the ante-post stage, I put up Ballyfad as my selection, and I still expect him to run well. However, good ground isn't ideal for Gordon Elliott's front-runner, and I'd rather side with one who'll be ridden behind the pace with a strong finishing kick.
I was expecting SORTUDO (14/1) to take up his entry in the Albert Bartlett. However, Willie Mullins has declared his novice for the Turners and, what's more, he'll be ridden by Danny Mullins, as Patrick has picked up the ride on Sober.
Danny was in the saddle when Sortudo finished a decent seventh in last year's Champion Bumper. Willie's charge had finished second to decent sorts on his first two starts on the level, and rounded off last season by slamming I'll Sort That by 12 lengths in a bumper at Fairyhouse.
Sortudo kicked off his career over hurdles by thrashing Jalon d'Oudairies over two miles at Cork, where Danny Mullins again did the steering. Patrick jumped into the saddle for the Grade One Ballymore Novice Hurdle and, in fairness, gave the favourite a good ride to finish second to the front-running I'll Sort That, as the top two pulled miles clear of the field.
Mullins' six-year-old surprised me with the gears he showed when beating Jalon d'Oudairies over the minimum distance on his hurdles debut. Sortudo's bumper form is very strong, and that Grade One at Naas is renowned for producing Cheltenham Festival winners.
With four paid places on offer with most firms, I'm going to take a punt on HURRICANE PAT (66/1) at a wild price. Gary and Josh Moore's six-year-old was wildly impressive when landing the Listed Claremont Novices' Hurdle at Sandown in December, where he destroyed Soldier Reeves and Sober Glory without coming off the bridle.
Caoilin Quinn tried valiantly to hang onto Old Park Star's coattails throughout the entire Rossington Main at Haydock, but had no response when the Supreme Novices' Hurdle favourite turned on the afterburners on the approach to the second-last. Hurricane Pat lost nothing in defeat that day, and I could see him improving for this step up in trip. He's no backmarker, that's for sure.
Turners Novices' Hurdle Each-Way Bet 1 - Sortudo
Turners Novices' Hurdle Each-Way Bet 2 - Hurricane Pat
2:00pm Cheltenham - Brown Advisory Novices' Chase Tips
16 will approach the starters flag ahead of Wednesday's second Grade One and, again, I'm going to take the market leaders on with two each-way selections. I thought WESTERN FOLD (14/1) was a big eye-catcher in the Ladbrokes Novice Chase, and he's drifted out to a lovely price since stablemate Romeo Coolio was confirmed in the line-up.
Elliott's seven-year-old is a second-season novice, having bumped into classy operators over shorter trips last season. An emphatic victory over Oscars Brother at Tipperary last May kicked off a winning sequence for Danny Gilligan's mount, who went on to win at Ballinrobe, score a resounding success in the Plate at the Galway Festival, and beat Affordale Fury comfortably when the two met for the first time in the PWC Champion Chase.
Affordale Fury went on to narrowly reverse that form when both finished behind Envoi Allen in the Grade One at Down Royal, before he struck in the Savills' Chase at Leopardstown. Western Fold ran on from an awful position to split Kaid d'Authie and Final Demand at the Dublin Racing Festival, and all of his wins have come on better ground.
Lecky Watson claimed a shock victory in last year's Brown Advisory Novices' Chase, and there's more than a bit of "Lecky Watson" about PREDATORS GOLD (33/1).
Willie Mullins campaigned his seven-year-old at the highest level in novice hurdles - finishing second in two Grade Ones around Leopardstown - before he spent a year out through injury. Predators Gold marked his return to action by beating Slade Steel and Wingmen at Navan, after which I was expecting him to be stepped up to three miles.
Instead, Mullins' charge was sent off at 4/6 for the 19-furlong Super Sub Novice Chase at Punchestown. Paul Townend's mount looked a little outpaced throughout, but jumped the last in the lead, only to get outpaced late on by Kappa Jy Pyke and Jacob's Ladder.
Kappa Jy Pyke heads for the big Grade One at Fairyhouse and Jacob's Ladder won a two-mile handicap chase at the Dublin Racing Festival, so it was only sheer pace that got Predators Gold beaten that day. Lecky Watson ran in almost identical prep races before his shock victory in last year's Brown Advisory. Willie Mullins might have a similar plan in mind.
Brown Advisory Novices' Chase Each-Way Bet 1 - Western Fold
Brown Advisory Novices' Chase Each-Way Bet 2 - Predators Gold
2:40pm Cheltenham - BetMGM Cup Tips
Jimmy Du Seuil won this race on his first start of the season last term, and I wouldn't be surprised if KOPECK DE MEE (8/1) produced a similarly herculean effort.
Willie Mullins' French recruit was backed off the boards in the build-up to last year's Martin Pipe, only to jump deplorably and beat only two horses home. Mark Walsh managed to hold his mount together a little better in the William Hill Handicap Hurdle at Aintree, and their late rattle came up a neck short of Wellington Arch, who dominated that handicap from the front.
Kopeck De Mee fell on his sole start this term, which came in a Beginners Chase at Navan in December. Willie Mullins has only entered his six-year-old here and in the County Hurdle, and there's next to no chance that he'll run over two miles at Cheltenham. Based on the vibes coming out of Closutton last season and that effort at Aintree, Kopek De Mee is surely a massive player off 145. The 16/1 we took at the ante-post stage for the BetMGM Cup has disappeared fast!
BetMGM Cup Best Bet - Kopeck De Mee
3:20pm Cheltenham - Cross Country Chase Tips
From an each-way standpoint, it's hard to see VANILLIER (9/1) finishing outside of the first three.
Having led the field over the first three flights last year, Sean Flanagan almost took a wrong turn after jumping the Aintree fence, which caused Vanillier to drop back to last. Gavin Cromwell's grey worked his way back into a midfield position, and eventually did well to cross the line third, eight lengths adrift of his stablemate.
Vanillier warmed up for his return to Cheltenham with a win over the banks at Punchestown, where he held off The Goffer, Conflated and Fakir D'Oudairies from the front. Cromwell's former Albert Bartlett winner will carry half a stone less on his back than 12 months ago, and the gap between himself and Stumptown in the weights has widened by eight pounds.
Sean Flanagan was more to blame for Vanillier's wayward performance last year than the horse himself, and Sean will be eager to make amends. Stumptown looks to have a rock solid chance once again, so I'm going to back Vanillier each-way and place a reverse forecast involving Cromwell's two leading contenders.
Cross Country Chase Each-Way Bet - Vanillier
4:00pm Cheltenham - Champion Chase Tips
You've heard the time gurus rave about Majborough's victory in the Dublin Chase plenty since that win at Leopardstown. Personally, I thought - and said this prior to the race in my selections - that Majborough was the only horse who really needed to win that day, and his margin of victory was emphasised by how badly his rivals performed.
Willie Mullins' star relished heavy ground at Leopardstown. Conditions will be much different on Wednesday, and the favourite jumped terribly on the Old Course in last year's Arkle.
I'm happy to take Majborough on in the 2026 Champion Chase. I have backed L'Eau Du Sud each-way at 8/1 in the build-up, but there isn't much value in his current price of 9/2.
SAINT SEGAL (50/1) can be backed at lengthy odds. Jane Williams' charge has been in inspired form this season, winning at Chepstow on his reappearance and again at Kelso in December.
Saint Segal has twice finished a distant second behind Thistle Ask, with both runs coming on good ground around right-handed tracks - the winner's ideal conditions. Ciaran Gething's charge was then no match for Lulamba in the Game Spirit Chase, but kept on right through the line to finish just six lengths adrift of the Arkle favourite.
Williams' eight-year-old hasn't been to Cheltenham since a 12th place finish in the 2022 Fred Winter, but I see no reason why he wouldn't handle this track. Like L'Eau Du Sud, Saint Segal is proven on all kinds of ground, and he's the sort of in-form outsider who could challenge for the places - if some of the more fancied horses have an off day.
Champion Chase Each-Way Bet - Saint Segal
Live Stream
Visit our Champion Chase Live Stream page if you want to watch any race on day two of the Cheltenham Festival via a mobile or tablet.
4:40pm Cheltenham - Grand Annual Tips
I was gutted when Ryan's Rocket missed the cut for the Grand Annual on Monday. I thought he had a right chance. RELEASE THE BEAST (12/1) snuck into the field at the bottom of the weights, and I could see him going well for the Paul Nolan team.
Nolan's seven-year-old has been campaigned lightly over fences the past two seasons. Release The Beast won nicely at Limerick on Boxing Day 2024, before struggling in two heavy-ground races in the spring. Sean O'Keeffe's mount then looked on-course to make a winning return at Wexford in November, but got distracted by a loose horse in the closing stages and Nouvotic got up to win.
Release The Beast was backed into favouritism for the two-mile handicap on Boxing Day of this year at Leopardstown, but again met trouble in running, and his strong late finish was only good enough for second behind fellow Grand Annual runner, Addragoole. Decent ground is clearly key to Release The Beast's chances, and he's been freshened up ahead of this spring campaign. I fancy he's better than his current mark of 136.
Grand Annual Handicap Chase Each-Way Bet - Release The Beast
5:20pm Cheltenham - Champion Bumper Tips
In the last ten years, Willie Mullins has only run one four-year-old in this contest. That was Blue Sari, who was narrowly beaten by Envoi Allen in 2019, so the mere fact that Willie runs both Our Trigger and QUIRYN (9/1) is a clue in itself.
I like the latter of the two, who boasts a proper flat pedigree. Quiryn is out of a former Arc winner and a top sire in Sottsass, and the dam has produced several quality flat performers.
Patrick Mullins was in the saddle when Willie's newcomer bolted up on his racecourse debut at Naas. Quiryn is a burly, strong travelling sort who should do well in this sort of contest. Four-year-olds get a handy chunk of weight from their elders too, and somehow, Paul Townend has managed to get himself down to 10-11 to take the ride.
I put The Mourne Rambler up in my ante-post Champion Bumper guide at 16/1, but his price has shortened considerably since Colin Keane was booked to ride. One worth considering at a huge price is BOYCETOWN (33/1) for Gavin Cromwell.
Keith Donoghue's mount ran well to finish second behind It's Only A Game on his rules debut at Punchestown. Boycetown then romped to victory in a bumper at Down Royal on Boxing Day, where he powered home from the front to win by 18 lengths.
It's usually the last horse to act that wins the Champion Bumper, so I'd like to see Donoghue give Boycetown a patient ride. This son of Capri looks a lovely sort to go jumping with next season, but I think he's got enough gears to be competitive here.
Champion Bumper Best Bet - Quiryn
Champion Bumper Best Bet Each-Way Bet - Boycetown
Best Bet Of The Day
See our NAP Of The Day page to find out which runner we've picked as our best bet from our Wednesday's Cheltenham tips.
Cheltenham Day 2 FAQs
What time does racing start on Cheltenham Day 2?
Racing on day two of the Cheltenham Festival usually begins at 1:20pm (UK time). Seven races are run throughout the afternoon, with the final race typically taking place at around 5:20pm.
What races are run on Cheltenham Festival Day 2?
Seven races take place on Day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival, including the Turners Novices’ Hurdle, the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase and the Queen Mother Champion Chase. The day also features competitive handicap races such as the Coral Cup and the Grand Annual Chase.
Why is Cheltenham Day 2 called Ladies Day?
The second day of the Cheltenham Festival is traditionally known as Ladies Day. The day has become famous for racegoers dressing up and competing in fashion competitions, alongside a high-quality afternoon of racing.
Which favourites will run on Cheltenham Day 2?
The big favourite on day two of the Cheltenham Festival is Majborough, who tops the betting for the 2026 Champion Chase. No Drama This End and Final Demand are popular in the betting for the two opening Grade Ones, while Stumptown is favourite to defend his Cross Country crown.
Who does Paul Townend ride on Cheltenham Day 2?
Willie Mullins' top jockey, Paul Townend will ride Il Etait Temps in the Champion Chase, and Final Demand in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase. Townend will partner with King Rasko Grey in the opening Turners Novices' Hurdle, and ride Quiryn in the card-closing Champion Bumper.
When is the Cheltenham Festival 2026?
The Cheltenham Festival 2026 takes place from Tuesday 10th March to Friday 13th March 2026 at Cheltenham Racecourse.
What is the oldest race at the Cheltenham Festival?
The oldest race of the Cheltenham Festival is the Grand Annual Handicap Chase. This two-mile handicap chase was first run back in 1834, and now takes place on day two of the meeting.
Verdict
Cheltenham Festival Day 2 Best Bets:
Kopeck De Mee
2:40pm BetMGM Cup
@8/1 - 5 Units
Bet £10 Get £30
in free bets
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Sortudo E/W
1:20pm Turners Novices' Hurdle
@14/1 - 5 Units
Bet £10 Get £30
with bonus code NEWBONUS
Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply. The bonus code NEWBONUS can be used during registration but does not change the offer amount in any way. #ad
Quiryn E/W
5:20pm Champion Bumper
@9/1 - 5 Units
Bet £20 Get £10
Use promo code NEWBONUS
18+ New customers only. Bet £20 (or more) EVS (2.0) or greater Get 2 x £5 Free Bets. 1 x £5 Free Bet paid automatically & following £5 Free Bet after 24hrs. Min Free Bet odds 4/1 (5.0) on accumulators Trebles & upwards. Expires after 24hrs. Full T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org
Predators Gold E/W
2:00pm Brown Advisory Novices' Chase
@33/1 - 5 Units
Bet £10 Get £50
in Free Bets
New customers only. Register with BETFRED50. Deposit £10+ via Debit Card and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. T&Cs apply.
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