Cheltenham Festival Day 2 Guide
The Cheltenham Festival is one of the most prestigious annual horse racing events. However, there’s often a lot of focus on day one of the Festival – what about Cheltenham Day 2?
As it happens, Cheltenham Festival Day 2 plays host to one of the biggest races in the whole celebration – the Cheltenham Champion Chase – which means that it’s well worth waiting to see which markets, odds and tips pop up ahead of the action.
In this guide, we take you through what you need to know about Cheltenham Day 2, details on the big races, and what you can expect when browsing LeoVegas for odds, tips and sports betting markets ahead of March’s action.
Remember you can also check out our Cheltenham Day 1 Tips and preview here!
Cheltenham Festival Day 2: a brief history
Cheltenham Day 2 is the second out of four days in the annual horse racing gala held at Cheltenham Racecourse every year. The festival typically takes place around March – be sure to check out LeoVegas betting odds for the exact dates and times of the races nearer to spring.
The Cheltenham Festival has been part of the National Hunt calendar for decades, and has been part of the horse racing pantheon since at least 1860, though it has changed shape and added new races several times over the years. In fact, it hasn’t always been a four-day event – it has previously been held over just two days!
Therefore, Cheltenham Day 2 tips come into play barely halfway into the festival, meaning that even if you can’t find any markets or runners you want to bet on, there are always two more racing days left to come. Cheltenham’s second day of racing plays host to two particularly important chases – we’ll discuss these a little further down.
The Cheltenham Festival is certainly one of the most popular horse racing events for British punters, which is why we always strive to serve up competitive odds and interesting markets for the races from year to year.
Ante-post betting on Cheltenham Day 2
You don’t necessarily need to wait until the second day of the festival to start betting on runners and riders. LeoVegas provides comprehensive lists of the competitors ahead of the festival start date so you can place ante-post bets – meaning you can choose who you think will win before the markets open on raceday. This means you can browse the Champion Chase Odds in the build up and be ready to make your selection on the day.
Take a look at the Cheltenham Festival section of our sportsbook under “Horse Racing betting” for the latest ante-post betting marketsopportunities. Remember that some runners and riders might back out before the big event takes place, so keep an open mind to avoid disappointment.
Races taking place on Cheltenham Day 2
Much like Cheltenham Day 1, Day 2 serves up seven different races of different lengths and grades, open to novice and seasoned horses and riders alike. We’ll dive into the specifics of each of these races shortly – but here are the seven events you will find available to bet on in the LeoVegas horse racing markets, in order of when they take place:
- Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle
- Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
- The Coral Cup
- The Queen Mother Champion Chase
- The Cross Country Chase
- The Grand Annual Chase
- The Champion Bumper
There’s a lot to take in here, and these races should typically take place over the space of six hours.
Let’s take a closer look at these races, starting with the most prestigious.
Cheltenham Day 2: Cheltenham Champion Chase Odds & Betting
The Queen Mother Champion Chase is a two-mile race classed as a Grade One. It’s regarded as a feature race of Cheltenham Day 2, taking place in the middle of the day’s action. It’s this race that most attracts horse racing fans and punters!
The Chase first took place in 1959, but received its full title in 1980 – it was named after the Queen Mother to mark her 80th birthday.
This race carries considerable prestige thanks to its royal connection, and it’s also an event that has seen a few champion horses and riders excel over the years. Perhaps the best-performing horse at this event was Badsworth Boy, who stormed to victory three times in a row between 1983 and 1985. No other horse has managed the triple since – at the time of writing, anyway!
We list Champion Chase odds as a priority via the Cheltenham Festival page on our sportsbook – be certain to check back closer to the event once the runners and riders are confirmed as Champion Chase winners normally go on to have long racing careers.
Current Race Favourite: El Fabiolo
Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle: what to look for on Cheltenham Day 2
The Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle is the first race to open Cheltenham Day 2, and it’s also the first of four races specifically designed for novice runners and riders. You’ll also see it referred to as the Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle – that’s because it carries the name of Baring Bingham, who set up the very first National Hunt in 1902.
This race extends across two miles and five furlongs, and like the Champion Chase, it’s a Grade One race. Horses aged four years and older can take part here.
Current Race Favourite: Ballyburn
Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase: Cheltenham Day 2 tips
As the name suggests, the Brown Advisory is the second novices’ race of Cheltenham Day 2. It’s longer than the first race at three miles, and it’s also a Grade One.
It’s also known as the Broadway Novices’ Chase, and it’s open to horses of at least five years of age. The prize money for first place is over £98,000!
Current Race Favourite: Fact To File
The Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival
The Coral Cup is easily one of the most fiercely contested races in the whole of the Cheltenham Festival, and it’s around two miles five furlongs long. There are 26 horses allowed in this race, and over the years, the odds of winning horses have been quite eye-opening.
For example, 2022’s winner, Commander Of Fleet, had an average price of 50/1! It’s extremely rare, according to statistics, for a horse with odds shorter than 10/1 to win this race – but as always, bet wisely and set yourself limits. We all love an underdog, but don’t go chasing wins!
Current Race Favourite: Sa Majeste
Cheltenham Day 2: the Cross Country Chase
The Cross Country Chase is a long runner for horses of five years of age and up, first taking place at Cheltenham in 2005. At three miles and six furlongs, this race is a test of strength and stamina for young horses and their riders.
It’s here that Tiger Roll famously won three times over between 2018 and 2021, and where both Nina Carberry and Keith Donoghue hold four wins as riders apiece.
Current Race Favourite: Minella Indo
The Grand Annual Handicap Betting Tips (Cheltenham Festival Day 2)
This race is also known as the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase, and it’s by far the oldest event in both National Hunt and Cheltenham Festival history. It even predates the festival itself, having first run in 1834!
It’s a one-mile, seven-furlong race that’s open to horses aged at least five, and there are 14 fences to clear. The race’s name comes from the late Johnny Henderson, famed racehorse owner and trainer Nicky Henderson’s father.
Current Race Favourite: Liberty Hunter
Champion Bumper Betting Tips on Cheltenham Day 2?
The Champion Bumper might be the last race on Cheltenham Day 2, but in the National Hunt, it’s probably the most important flat race on the calendar! Run since 1992, this two-mile race features famous obstacles that will test horses between the ages of four and six.
Champion jockeys here include Ruby Walsh, who has won it four times, and Patrick Mullins, likewise. However, take a look at Willie Mullins’ record here as a trainer – he’s won it no fewer than 12 times!
Current Race Favourite: Jasmin De Vaux/ Jalon D'Oudairies
Cheltenham Day 2 odds and markets to look for
On the road to Cheltenham Day 2, you’ll want to check out LeoVegas for the latest markets and bets. During the day’s races, you can bet on outright race winners, or if you just want to bet on a horse to come top four, go each way and halve the odds.
You can, of course, also place bets on who you think will be the top jockey for the day, or per race! Load up the LeoVegas app or desktop site nearer to Day 2 for the latest odds.
Keep an eye out for Cheltenham Day 2 tips
Of course, LeoVegas will also be on hand to help with Cheltenham Day 2 tips – we aim to bring you the most competitive odds and advice on the seven races taking place.
Keep subscribed to emails and alerts, and when March rolls around, take a look at the Cheltenham Festival section of our sportsbook for the latest advice.
FAQs about Cheltenham Festival Day 2
What is the feature race on day two of the Cheltenham Festival?
The feature race on Cheltenham Day 2 is the Queen Mother Champion Chase, named for the Queen Mother’s 80th birthday in 1981 – it has kept the name ever since.
What is the most common bet placed at Cheltenham?
Some of the most popular bets at the Cheltenham Festival are on outright markets – on specific winners for each of the seven races, for example, and for the most successful jockeys.
Can I still place bets on Champion Jockey and Champion Trainer?
Yes – LeoVegas offers a range of different markets for the Cheltenham Festival. Take a closer look at what we have on offer in the sportsbook.