It doesn’t take a very penetrating mind to see that Altior (3.30) is the most likely winner of Wednesday’s Champion Chase, given that his main rival is Min, who trailled him by seven lengths in the same race last year. Altior remains unbeaten over obstacles after 17 races and is confidently expected to extend that sequence here.
Whether confidence is at all appropriate after the shocks this crowd witnessed yesterday is another question. But, on all known form, it will take something sensational to deny Altior another moment of glory.
1.30 Martin Brassil might not be the most prolific of jumps trainers but he knows what to do when a good horse turns up in his yard and many punters will have fond memories of his Numbersixvalverde in the 2006 Grand National. It looks like he has another talented charge in City Island, who showed a high level of form when scoring at Leopardstown over Christmas and could be anything. He is preferred to Battleoverdoyen and Champ, who have been winning races but still have a ponderous look to them. Easy Game could go close.
2.10 This looks competitive on the face of it but a review of Delta Work’s performances this winter suggests he will be very hard to beat. Gordon Elliott’s runner, winner of the Pertemps at the last Festival, has taken really well to fences, in which sphere he is the only horse to have beaten Le Richebourg. Topofthegame is respected but On The Blind Side might be a bigger danger, as a classy animal going the right way over fences.
2.50 On a similarly soggy surface, Bleu Berry won this like a very useful animal a year ago and he gets in here on a mark just 5lbs higher, possibly because he has avoided handicaps in the interim. More than once, his efforts have suggested he could be worth a higher rating and he looks overpriced. Calie Du Mesnil may also go close for the Mullins yard.
4.10 A bookmaker once described the cross-country as “that race when they go round in circles until the favourite’s in front” and let’s hope it proves true once more, so that Tiger Roll can achieve his fourth Festival success. This admirable little horse surprised connections by winning his prep race and he should prove too good for these.
4.50 Band Of Outlaws is progressive and it’s easy to see him going well here but the available odds don’t offer much margin for error. By contrast, the 20-1 about Our Power looks big, in view of his December success and his fair effort in a Graded contest here in January.
5.30 The only four-year-old winner of the Bumper in the last 20 years was Cue Card, who turned out to be a bit special, so Blue Sari will have to be really talented to win on a testing surface. Envoi Allen has been impressive so far and appeals as a safer option.
Tips for Wednesday's races
Cheltenham
1.30 City Island 2.10 Delta Work (nap) 2.50 Bleu Berry (nb) 3.30 Altior 4.10 Tiger Roll 4.50 Our Power 5.30 Envoi Allen
Huntingdon
1.45 Finawn Bawn 2.25 Vivaccio 3.05 Mabela 3.45 Derrynane 4.25 Carolines Charm 5.05 Coopers Square 5.40 Beyond Redemption
Lingfield
1.55 Fox Kasper 2.35 Tavener 3.15 Beat Le Bon 3.55 Main Street 4.35 Boutonniere 5.15 Barrsbrook
Kempton
4.40 Camachess 5.10 Canford Dancer 5.45 Ulster 6.15 Moonlit Sea 6.45 Dancing Jo 7.15 Jai Hanuman 7.45 Lothario 8.15 Qallab
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