The first two days of the 2019 Cheltenham Festival have been packed full of action and stories. On day one, Willie Mullins trained the winners of the first two races of the meeting with Klassical Dream and Duc Des Genievres, before Nicky Henderson got on the board with Beware The Bear.
cheltenham festival
>The Unibet Champion Hurdle was won by trainer, Gavin Cromwell, as jockey Mark Walsh guided the 16/1 shot, Espoir D’Allen to a stunning victory. The favourite, Apple’s Jade, never got near.

Day two brought even more drama and another winner for Mark Walsh on board City Island in the opening race, whilst Paul Nicholls got his first winner of the week with Topofthegame. Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville teamed up for a double through William Henry and the incredible Altior who won the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase, to make it 18 wins on the bounce.

Grand National hero, Tiger Roll, then won the Cross Country Chase for the second successive year and secure Gordon Elliott’s first win of the meeting, before Joseph O’Brien got his first ever Cheltenham winner with Band Of Outlaws.

Here we preview the best races of day three and four, and offer our best Cheltenham racing tips and our Cheltenham Gold Cup tips.

14 March – Cheltenham – 1.30

2m4f (2m3f168y) (New) JLT Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (Registered As The Golden Miller) (Class 1) (5yo+) 1/4 1-3

Defi Du Seuil could hand Phillip Hobbs and Barry Geraghty their first win of this year’s Cheltenham in the opening race of day three. He won the Triumph Hurdle in 2017 and won the Grade 1 Scilly Isles last month.

His main challenge is likely to come from Lostintranslation again, who has finished second to Defi Du Seuil in their last two races. However, he beat Topofthegame at Exeter in December, the same horse that went on to win the Novices Chase at this meeting on day two. We can see Colin Tizzard’s runner turning the tables on Defi Du Seuil and land this one.

Lostintranslation is 4/1 with 888sport

14 March – Cheltenham – 3.30

3m (2m7f213y) (New) Sun Racing Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1) (4yo+)

The feature race of day three will likely see Paisley Park and Faugheen battle it out in the Stayers’ Hurdle. Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh got off to a great start at the Festival, but they have not been involved in much since. Faugheen can be brilliant on his day, but he is now 11 years old and his main rival, Paisley Park, is an improving younger talent who goes for a fifth straight win. He was impressive in the Cleave over C&D last time and is surely the one to beat on that form.

Get Paisley Park to win @2/1 with 888sport

15 March – Cheltenham – 1.30

2m1f (2m179y) (New) JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1) (4yo)

Sir Erec is the big favourite to win the opening race of Gold Cup day. He goes for trainer, Joseph O’Brien and has Mark Walsh in the saddle, who is already enjoying a great meeting.

He is two from two and ran clear in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown last time. He has the stand out form and is taken to win it.

Get Sir Erec @11/10 with MansionBet

15 March – Cheltenham – 3.30

3m2½f (3m2f70y) (New) Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1) (Class 1) (5yo+)

The big race of the week, the Cheltenham Gold Cup, sees 16 runners line up for the biggest prize of the week.

Presenting Percy is likely to start as favourite for trainer, Patrick Kelly, following two previous Festival wins. Native River, last year’s Gold Cup winner, lines up again for Colin Tizzard, and if he can show the same gutsy performance as in 2018, he has a chance.

However, Clan Des Obeaux won the King George at Kempton with something in hand in December, and followed that up with a comfortable win at Ascot in February. He brings very strong form and is sure to be a big player.

Get Clan Des Obeaux at 5/1 with NetBet