Impaire Et Passe heads the betting after dominating two hurdles, including an impressive six-and-a-half-length triumph at Grade 2 level last time. That form doesn’t appear to be the strongest, however, and although he’s looked strong in both races, he may possibly be shorter in the market as a Willie Mullins inmate. Stablemate, Gaelic Warrior, is clearly a talented individual, having dismantled his fields in three easy hurdle wins this campaign. His downfall may be his slightly errant jumping to his right, which could cost him valuable ground on his rivals if that continues at Cheltenham.

The Irish have dominated recent renewals – winning the previous five contests – but one UK runner who has caused a stir this term is HERMES ALLEN. The Paul Nicholls-trained Poliglote gelding made it 3-3 over hurdles with an authoritative success in the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle at Newbury. Although that race doesn’t have the best records coming into this event, that form has been well advertised subsequently – four of the other five finishers in the race have gone on to win afterward – including Grade 2 winner You Wear It Well.

IMPAIRE ET PASSE should get punters off to a winning start on Wednesday. Winning a French bumper before being snapped up by powerful connections he has won in impressive fashion on both his starts for Willie Mullins. Winning a maiden hurdle of 2 miles 3 furlongs he then showed his speed on heavy ground winning the Grade 2 Moscow Flyer. Although the form isn’t strong there’s plenty of scope for improvement and vibes are very strong from connections. There are holes to pick in a few of the horses lining up against him and I just think he wins. 

THYME HILL represents excellent each-way value in the Grade 1 novice chase for stayers. The Philip Hobbs-trained Dual Grade 1-winning hurdler progressed hugely on third chase start, scoring by 15 lengths in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton. First-time cheekpieces clearly sparked improvement that day and with further progress within reach, he looks a big player in this stayers’ event.

His chance is bolstered by excellent Cheltenham form figures of 23142, with stamina assured for this extended three-mile contest. Gerri Colombe and Sir Gerhard are certainly strong adversaries for team Ireland, having notched Grade 1 successes and are worthy noting for any multiple wagers, including forecasts and tricasts.

It’s very hard to see GERRI COLOMBE getting beaten here. I wasn’t as bullish as others heading into the festival, but the rain has come for him. 3 miles on soft ground will see him to best affect. He’s had the class to win in sub optimal conditions which is a really good sign and he stayed on well to beat Balco Coastal last time out at Sandown on ground faster than he’d like over a trip shorter than he’d like. I think there’s a real lack of depth in this race and I cannot see any of his rivals being good enough to beat him here. One at a big price that could run well is Amirite who does look a strong stayer but probably lacks the class of the selection, Geri Colombe. 

In what is a typically tough handicap puzzle to solve, the Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle is likely to be a competitive affair from the off. Last season’s fourth, Camprond, must be strongly considered, having dropped 2lb below that mark. He was inconvenienced on deep ground that day so if the ground dries up prior to the off time, expect him to be involved in the finish.

One who catches the eye from an each-way perspective is BEACON EDGE for Noel Meade. Interestingly, this is the horse’s first handicap start, having competed in plenty of Grade 1 contests. He’d been woefully out of form this term, prior to huge improvement when third in the Grade 2 Boyne Hurdle at Navan. Despite his advancing years, he could still have a squeak of potential in the handicap ranks from a mark of 147, with a tongue-tie and blinkers combination tried for the first time. It wouldn’t be a shock if he kept going, with his relentless stride, into one of the minor places (Paddy Power pay six places).

A cavalry charge as 26 go to post. There are plenty of good extra places to capitalize on across the market and the one that catches my eye is CAMPROND. He is a horse that connections always seem to rely on when the big day comes around. He ran very well in the Greatwood Hurdle over 2 miles at Cheltenham before finishing 4th in this race last year on bottomless ground.  

He then went to Punchestown and won a handicap hurdle impressively, staying on well to hit the line hard. He is certain to finish strong and handle the conditions and he’s running off 2lbs lower than he was in this last year. Although his form hasn’t been overly strong since last spring, he is one I expect to see major improvement come the Coral Cup. 

Edwardstone and Energumene are both strongly fancied in the betting to land the Queen Mother Champion Chase. The former, winner of the 2022 Arkle Novices’ Chase, travelled smoothly in the rearranged Grade 1 Clarence House Chase at Cheltenham in January, before going down a head to Editeur Du Gite. Energumene was a disappointing third in that contest and has a big question mark if he’s to win back-to-back renewals of this race, in what appears a stronger event this season. EDITEUR DU GITE is the selection as he is a significantly bigger price than the front pair, despite beating them both last time.

His improvement has been nothing short of remarkable this campaign, with Grade 2 and Grade 1 victories to his name, dominating from the front on both occasions. Trainer Gary Moore scored a notable Clarence House-Champion Chase double in 2014 with Sire De Grugy and could just emulate that incredible success here. The selection only has to worry about Funambule Sivola for any pace pressure and if he’s allowed to dictate, it would certainly prove to be an advantage.

I’m siding with ENERGUMENE in the feature of Day 2. He renews rivalry with Edwardstone and Editeur Du Gite after finishing behind them last time out at Cheltenham on Trials Day. The market sent him off 4/9 favourite that day and he did disappoint. However, it was likely he had an interrupted preparation with the race originally planned for Ascot the week before, being cancelled due to adverse weather.  

His jumping fell apart, but he jumped well for most of the race and was jumping into the back of his rivals as he was held out the back. I don’t think this tactic suits his running style and expect connections to run him from the front and gallop his rivals into the ground. I think he is a very big price at 13/8 – 7/4 and expect him to defend his crown in some style here. 

DELTA WORK is the confident tip to land back-to-back Glenfarclas Chases. One of Gordon Elliott’s stable stars was sent an almost impossible task in handicap company over course-and-distance in November, running on well into third in January.  

He tried to give lumps of weight away to many of these rivals but should have little trouble in reversing the form off level-weights here. Deise Aba really took to this unique circuit on first attempt, when runner-up in the aforementioned event. He’ll stay the trip and has each-way claims if able to build on that promising effort.  

I’m siding with Grade 1 winner and last year’s winner of this race Delta Work. He finished strongly last year on heavy ground, beating Tiger Roll and I think he is a class above his opponents in this. The biggest danger comes from stable mate Galvin but he lacks experience over this unique test.  

He is a short price but should get the job done. Delta Work was narrowly beaten over course and distance on Trials Day giving over a stone to Deise Aba and Back On The Lash and was still only beaten by under 5 Lengths. He is running off level weights and I think he should win this comfortably. 

FINAL ORDERS has been one of the most impressive jumps horses this season, winning five races over fences in-a-row, and has progressed an incredible 20lb in the weights. He has already proved to be a bit of a money–spinner for readers, having notched a couple of victories for us this term. Final Orders is an accurate jumper, who could be well suited to these fences, if getting into a good early rhythm. Trainer, Gavin Cromwell, has had plenty of festival success in the previous few years and he could go close to scoring again here. 

Festival form is usually a good guide and ANDY DUFRESNE was second in this race last year off the same mark as he runs off now, 155. He was very well supported that day going off 10/3 favourite and was beaten by a good front running performance from Global Citizen.  

I think he gave the winner too much rope that day and it’s hard to come off the pace and win in heavy conditions. He did close the gap and ended up beaten 3 lengths and a similar performance this year would see him go very close. He hasn’t been put into his races this year and I think this has always been the plan. He is around the 6/1 mark now, which is a fair price. 

FUN FUN FUN is just one of a whole host of Willie Mullins last-time-out winners, who catches the eye in this Grade 1 National Hunt flat race. Pretty much every horse in the line-up in completely unexposed, after few starts, and can be given some sort of chance. The selection could go close, receiving a 7lb mares’ weight allowance. She has shown plenty of ability in two wide-margin flat successes thus far, including at Leopardstown last month, and has been chosen by Patrick Mullins – which may be significant.  

Course scorer, Encanto Bruno, is one to note at attractive each-way odds, for those searching for another to support in a typically open renewal to conclude day two. 

A wide-open champion bumper and the favourite is one I’d be very keen to take on. He won 2 low grade bumpers before bolting up at the DRF on yielding ground. He was impressive that day and is now the default favourite. He is a flat bred and showed plenty of speed that day and I’d be confident that he will find the ground too testing and will struggle to finish strong.  

My selection is FACT TO FILE he is a bumper winner over 2 and a half miles and was outpaced last time out by A Dream To Share. He is one that will stay the trip in testing conditions. Patrick Mullins chooses which is a huge plus given the overall lack of form and experience of the horses in this race. At approx. 5/1 I hope he can send us on our way with a winner on Day 2.