The pick of the prices on Day 2 at the Festival....

Tuesday, 10th March 2026

The pick of the prices on Day 2 at the Festival….

In ATC today….

…. I bring you my best picks on Day Two of the Cheltenham Festival….

I’m on JINGKO BLUE in the 3.20 – up at 12s & 11s….

…. and I’m on WESTERN DIEGO at 20s & 18s 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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You’ll find my picks for this afternoon’s Festival right here….

I always work 24-hours ahead of time when it comes to producing big-race selections….

…. and the focus in today’s column is tomorrow afternoon’s races….

First up – the BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle (2.40)….

I think it’s entirely possible that a punter could bet in this race every single year of his adult life and then die at a ripe old age without ever having managed to pick the winner….

…. as ‘impossible’ handicaps go – this is about as impossible as it gets….

A maximum field of 24 goes to post for tomorrow’s edition….

…. pretty much the entire field fall within a stone of one another on the official scale….

…. and there aren’t many that you can summarily dismiss as no hopers….

But that’s big-field top-level handicap betting in a nutshell – it’s not for the faint-hearted….

I’m backing Nicky Henderson’s JINGKO BLUE at the 12s & 11s….

He’s clearly not been without his problems….

…. he didn’t really take to chasing in the way that was expected….

…. he’s had some back problems….

…. he’s had some surgery….

…. but he returned to hurdles at G2 level on new year’s day at Cheltenham and there were grounds for enthusiasm….

For sure, he got beaten 5.5 lengths into second by Kabral Du Mathan….

…. but that’s one’s well fancied for Thursday’s G1 Stayers Hurdle….

…. whilst the Henderson horse drops back into the calmer waters of the handicap division….

The key attraction for me with this horse is the mark of 144….

…. you’ve generally got to be 10+ pounds ahead of your mark to win a Festival handicap….

…. not all are….

…. he’s one that is….

…. he’s fresher than most….

…. he’ll have no problem whatsoever with stamina over the trip….

…. he runs out of an in-form yard with as much Festival pedigree as you’ve any right to ask for….

…. and he’s one I see running a big race at a double-figure price….

In the Grand Annual (4.40) I’m having a swing of the bat at the general 20s & 18s about WESTERN DIEGO….

Believe it or not Willie Mullins – for all his achievements at the meeting – has never won a Festival handicap chase….

…. but this lad has every chance of putting that right….

I thought he’d be shorter….

I imagine some punters will look at the card….

…. see the single Mullins runner….

…. see that Brian Hayes is onboard….

…. and then maybe conclude that it can’t be a ‘live’ one for the yard….

…. which would be a misread….

Hayes is up because the horse isn’t a straightforward ride and he gets a good tune out of the 9yo – not least this term….

…. across which they’ve produced three decent performances from three goes – including a big win at Fairyhouse in January’s Dan Moore….

This horse is at his best when he can settle and get into a nice rhythm over his fences….

…. I think he will appreciate – and improve for – a really strong pace….

…. and I think it’s pretty much nailed on that he’ll get that tomorrow….

There’s more to come in that kind of scenario and he’s an attractive price….

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Now, just to recap….

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That’s all for today….

I’ll be back with more tomorrow….

Meantime – contact me at – nick.pullen@spapublishinggroup.co.uk

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

Stay tuned….

Against the Crowd