After day one of the Cheltenham Festival was riddled with victories from the favourites, the friendly rivalry between the bookmakers and the punters was rife heading into the second day. Those who are the legal age for online betting love getting one over on the bookies when Cheltenham rolls around every year. However, it’s fair to say that it was probably honours even on day two. So, without giving too much more away, let’s dive straight into a recap of the action. Read on to find out more!

1:20: Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)

Rachael Blackmore’s fantastic Cheltenham Festival continued from day one’s Champion Hurdle triumph aboard Honeysuckle with another Grade 1 victory in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle. In the saddle of favourite Bob Olinger, Blackmore pushed clear approaching the last and there was no catching the duo as they raced up the hill towards home. Gaillard Du Mesnil was in second, seven-and-a-half lengths behind the victor.

1^st: Bob Olinger 6/4F

2^nd: Gaillard Du Mesnil 9/4

3^rd: Bravemansgame 4/1

1:55: Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)

There was no stopping the favourite again in the second race of the day, the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase. Monkfish, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend, set off as the 1/4 favourite, and despite a scare at the last hurdle, where stray horse Eklat De Rire, who unseated Blackmore earlier in the race, got in the way, Townend was able to stay in the saddle and see out the victory. 

1^st: Monkfish 1/4 

2^nd: Fiddlerontheroof 40/1

3^rd: The Big Breakaway 12/1

2:30: Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)

It was clear from the off that the two-mile, five-furlong Coral Cup was a wide-open affair. However, few would have predicted that 33/1 shot Heaven Help Us would go on to win, let alone romp home nine lengths clear of Craigneiche, who was amongst the favourites. The Paul Hennessy-trained horse was well clear at the last hurdle and still had a lot to give as it raced up the hill and over the line.

1^st: Heaven Help Us 33/1

2^nd: Craigneiche 17/1

3^rd: Tea Clipper 33/1

4^th: Sayo 28/1

3:05: Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1)

At this stage, Irish trainer Mullins must be seriously questioning if he will ever get his hands on the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Just about everybody expected Chacun Pour Soi (8/13) to win the race. However, instead he was added to the list of Mullins’ horses who have failed to do, which includes Min, Un De Sceaux and Douvan. It was a thrilling finish with Chacun Pour Soi, Nube Negra and Put The Kettle On all racing towards the finish-line as one. But, in the end, it was Put The Kettle On who boiled over the line at 17/2, landing trainer Henry de Bromhead his third Champion Chase triumph.

1^st: Put The Kettle On 17/1

2^nd: Nube Negre 11/1

3^rd: Chacun Pour Soi 8/13

3:40: Cross Country Chase 

Punters around the nation would have been screaming at their television sets as Tiger Roll jumped the final fence of the Cross Country Chase and raced over the line 18 lengths clear of Easysland, striking the perfect revenge for the David Cottin-trained horse stealing his crown last year. It was one of those moments were Prestbury Park would have truly erupted had spectators been allowed in the Cotswolds. 

1^st: Tiger Roll 9/2

2^nd: Easysland evens

3^rd: Someneck 17/2

—

14/1 shot Sky Pirate upset the odds in the Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase before Blackmore rode another winner in the form of Sir Gerhard in the Champion Bumper.