Taking aim at the Cheltenham Festival - Day 2....

Tuesday, 11th March 2025

Taking aim at the Cheltenham Festival - Day 2….

In ATC today….

…. I swing the bat on Day 2 at the Cheltenham Festival….

I’m on JIMMY DU SEUIL in the 2.40 – he’s up at 14s….

…. and I’m on WESTERN ZEPHYR at 33s & 25s in the 4.40….

That’s the summary….

…. you’ll find all my reasoning below – as per usual….

Oh…. and if you’re looking for the standout place terms on offer – you’ll find them in the Bet Box below…. 

Read on….

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Yesterday, every man and his dog jumped on to Bunting for tomorrow’s Coral Cup (2.40) once it transpired Paul Townend had taken the ride….

His primary focus during Festival week tends to be on the G1s….

…. and when he takes a ride in a handicap it does tend to be significant….

That said it’s no secret angle….

…. everybody’s aware of it….

…. and plenty of punters have been quick to dive into what looks like warm water….

Up at prices as big as 12s initially, the 5yo is now no bigger than 5s….

…. and whilst I’m not saying he can’t win….

…. because he most certainly can….

…. I wouldn’t want to back him at his current odds – that’s for sure….

My preference is for another Mullins runner – JIMMY DU SEUIL at the general 14s….

Mullins had five in last season’s G1 novice hurdle over course and distance at the Festival….

…. and Jimmy Du Seuil was the least fancied but – while he found potential Gold Cup horse Ballyburn way too hot to handle – he put paid to the rest and finished a commendable second….

Things fell apart in follow-up G1s at Aintree and Punchestown – and he hasn’t been seen since….

But we know that nobody prepares one off a break for a Festival handicap hurdle quite like Willie Mullins….

…. and we know this horse can perform off a break – because he’s done it before….

Back over this course and distance….

…. running at handicap level for the first time….

…. off a mark of 145….

…. he could well outrun his double-figure price under Danny Mullins….

In the Grand Annual (4.40) I’m pinning my colours to WESTERN ZEPHYR at the general 33s & 25s….

In a race where it’s all about bowling along and jumping at speed he stands out as the one horse in the race that really likes to lead the way….

…. and he might not be given too hard a time up front – which Sean Bowen could turn into a telling advantage late on….

…. because when he’s on-song this 8yo is pretty relentless and he doesn’t stop….

Most of his form is on right-handed tracks….

…. but I’m not too worried about that because he ran well enough at Cheltenham back in November when second behind L’Eau du Sud in the Arkle trial….

…. and whilst he was beaten 11-lengths that day – the winner is seen as a genuine top-level horse whilst Western Zephyr drops back into the handicaps….

Something was amiss last time at Ascot. He’s not been seen since and will need to be right first-time-up….

…. but he goes well fresh and – if they’ve got him right – he’s a big price….

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Now, just to recap….

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That’s all for today….

I’ll be back tomorrow with my picks for Day 3 at the Cheltenham Festival….

Meantime – contact me direct at nick.pullen@oxonpress.co.uk  

And remember – win, lose or draw – enjoy the racing….

Stay tuned….

Against the Crowd