Windsor Park (1.30) can land the opener on Day Two of the Cheltenham Festival, taken to reverse the form with Willie Mullins' Nichols Canyon, who bettered him last time out in the Deloitte Hurdle at Leopardstown last month. Dermot Weld's 6-y-o was impressive in bumpers last term and has been likewise over timber, winning a Maiden Hurdle at Leopardstown and beaten four and three lengths respectively upped in class thereafter. He has yet to try the extended two and a half miles however should thrive over the longer trip and taken to get the better of Mullins' charge and Gigginstown's Outlander, for yet another Irish 1-2-3.
Kings Palace is unbeaten over the larger obstacles, including a dual scorer over course and distance, however Don Poli (2.05) is impossible to oppose and likewise puts his unblemished record over fences on the line in this year's excellent renewal of the RSA Chase. The selection was ear-marked as a potential National Hunt Chase candidate however takes his chance here, alongside connections' Wounded Warrior, and can make it 3/3 under regular pilot Bryan Cooper. The selection made a winning chase debut at Gowran Park in November and built on that further when winning the G1 Topaz Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas. The form has worked out excellently with the runner-up (Apache Stronghold) winning at the highest grade thereafter and 'The Don' looks yet another banker for The Irish.
A bumper field go to post for the Coral Cup and with plenty of bookmakers paying five places there's plenty of value to be had. Nicky Henderson won last year's renewal with Whisper and is represented with no less than five runners and whilst all are respected, it is hard to get away from the claims of Activial (2.40) for Harry Fry and Noel Fehily. The 5-y-o was one of the ante-post favourites for last year's Triumph Hurdle before side-tracking Prestbury Park for Aintree. Whilst disappointing that day, he has come back to place in two of the most competitive handicap hurldes of the season and remains relatively unexposed. He looks sure to appreciate the step up in trip and can continue the excellent form of the Fry stable at the expense of the well-backed pair of Goodwood Mirage and Aux Ptit Soins.
The feature Queen Mother Champion Chase sees 11 go to post and the majority boasting more questions than answers. Reigning 2m Champion Chaser Sire De Grugy impressed last time out at Chepstow but disappointed on his seasonal reappearance at Newbury and his having his third run inside five weeks, is it all coming too soon for Gary Moore's stable star? Sprinter Sacre likewise, after emptying badly last time out in the Clarence House Chase and the form with Dodging Bullets, Somersby et al looking well below what is required of a Festival hero. Champagne Fever is fascinating given his record at the Festival (1,1,2 in the last three years) however, at the bigger prices, a chance is taken on Nicky Richards' stable star Simply Ned (3.20) under regular partner Brian Harding. The selection returned winning a competitive handicap chase at Kelso and has been impressive thereafter, placed at Cheltenham and Leopardstown when upped in grade. He returns a fresh horse for an in-form stable and can justify each-way support on his preferred good, spring ground.
1.30 Windsor Park (Ew)
2.05 Don Poli (Nap)
2.40 Activial (Ew)
3.20 Simply Ned (Ew)
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