Horse Racing

Cheltenham Festival 2022: Day 2 live blog from the Prestbury Park course

Jonathan Doidgejon doidge16 March 2022
Cheltenham racegoer day 2

Cheltenham racegoer day 2

Planet Sport's Jonathan Doidge is in the thick of the action at Cheltenham giving his insight into what is going on day 2 of the Festival.

That brings day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival to a very wet and soggy end. We hope you enjoyed Planet Sport's coverage, I'll be back in the saddle again for Thursday's action. Hopefully my clothes will have dried by then. Cheerio

17:52 - Facile Vega claims an easy in the Champion Bumper

Facile Vega romped to a simple win in a much delayed Wetherby's Champion Bumper for Willie Mullins.
The course had to be reconfigured after torrential rain left false patches but five-year-old Facile Vega made no mistake when the two mile, half a furlong flat race eventually started.

17:00 Full result - 16:50: Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup

1st 20 Global Citizen 28/1
2nd 2 Andy Dufresne 10/3 fav
3rd 14 Frero Banbou 6/1
4th 3 Editeur Du Gite 15/2
NRs: 6 Before Midnight, 8 Buddy Rich, 13 Thyme White, 17 Capuccimix
16 ran

16:56 Grand Annual goes Global

Congratulations to Ben Pauling and Kielan Woods, that was a brave, brave ride on the front end and he fairly lifted his mount up the hill.
It's so difficult to make up ground in these conditions and despite the best efforts of Andy Dufresne, who'd looked poised to attack as they rounded the home turn, it wasn't enough.

At least we got one in the frame there, with Editeur Du Gite but no show from A Wave Of The Sea, who spent most of the race somewhere near the back.

16:38 Grand Annual time

Gotta love the Grand Annual. My favourite two-mile handicap chase, year on year. However, these four won't be taking their chance after the deluge.
6 Before Midnight
8 Buddy Rich
13 Thyme White
17 Capuccimix
My selection was Thyme White. Feel for connections of Good Risk At All, who didn't get in here but, it turns out, could have had a run and I think they quite fancied him.
I'll put up Editeur Du Gite (no slight on the boss, obviously!) and A Wave Of The Sea as two sporting picks to small stakes against the field.

16:35 Full result - 16:10: Glenfarclas Chase

1st 4 Delta Work 5/2 fav
2nd 15 Tiger Roll 3/1
3rd 9 Plan Of Attack 25/1
All 16 ran

16:21 Tiger's record Delta blow

Well for quite some time there it looked like Tiger Roll would bow put winning his umpteenth Cheltenham Festival race but it wasn't to be. Chinned by his stablemate Delta Work, under Jack Kennedy, up the run-in and has to settle for second place this time. A great story ruined!
However, if that really IS the last time we've seen the Tiger in action, he's been some racehorse. I was there with a perfect view from level with the winning post when he won his first Grand National by the smallest of margins and that will always be a treasured memory.

15:59 Anti-climax

Despite the obvious pleasure in backing a winner, sadly the Champion Chase was an anti-climax, a bit like this whole day if I'm honest and that's all down to the horrendous weather.
How we'd all love to have seen something close to a repeat of the Clarence House Chase, with Energumene and Shishkin going toe to toe. However, before they even got to the first, Nico de Boinville has reported that his goose was cooked as Shishkin simply didn't give him the right feel on the ground and that was confirmed when he jumped the first couple.
To his credit he had to give the favourite a chance but they'd barely got half way when the pilot cried enough and you can totally understand that. He's looked after him for another day.
In contrast to the Ascot race, where Energumene was bounced out by Paul Townend and jumped like a stag, this was much more of stalking, creeping, ride. Out the back to begin with, he showed he can produce the goods from the front or the rear. It was ominous for the front two or three as they turned back towards home and the Mullins horse simply eased upsides to take closer order in a matter of strides.
So, the hammer and tongs contest didn't happen and, instead, we saw a runaway winner and a new champion.
Congratulations also to Venetia Williams and Charlie Deutsch. Few would have given them a chance with 40/1 shot Funambule Sivola, but he was best of the rest, on a great day for the yard.

15:43 Going change

No surprise after so much thast the going has just been officially changed to heavy.

15:37 Full result - 15:30: Queen Mother Champion Chase

1st 2 Energumene 5/2
2nd 4 Funambule Sivola 40/1
NR: 5 Nube Negra (going)
7 ran

15:35 Energumene the new champion

Well, what a dramatic race. More thoughts on it to come but Shishkin never went a yard and Nico de Boinville saved him for another day. The departure of Chacun Pour Soi at the next fence also detracted from the outcome but perhaps it's time to stop bringing him over and stick to big prizes at home.
Well done Paul Townend though. Crept around and one by one picked them all off to win very very easily. I'm off to see him back into the winner's enclosure.
15:25 Energumene for me
Well, sometimes we change our minds and I have to say, for better or worse, I have in the Champion Chase. I think the sheer amount of rain will better suit Energumene than Shishkin and I've backed the Irish horse to get his revenge. Here's hoping...

15:22 It's almost time

The deluge continues, unabated.
Just been squelching through the paddock. It's testing ground in there now and there are far fewer people braving it than in any of the races yesterday. Normally, five minutes or so before a Champion Chase it would be brim full of folk.
Shishkin looks an absolute picture, in spite of the conditions. Energumene also taking the preliminaries well.

Put The Kettle On is to be mounted in the chute and will wear ear plugs, it was announced, while both Envoi Allen and Politologue were sporting red hoods, for the paddock only.

15:11 Go figure

This time last year we were talking about Envoi Allen being the next Arkle and a potential Gold Cup winner. Yet here he is, 14/1 for Queen Mother Champion Chase. What a difference a year makes.

15:05 Next up... the big one!

Exciting times! We're just 25 minutes away from the rematch. It's Shishkin v Energumene and we're playing for a place in Cheltenham Festival history. Every drop of rain that has fallen since around 10:30 this morning will have been welcomed by WP Mullins.
I'm off to the pre-parade ring to see them. Ciao for now...

15:01 Full result - 14:50 Coral Cup

1st 3 Commander Of Fleet 50/1
2nd 2 Fastorslow 18/1
3rd 2 Ashdale Bob 14/1
4th 19 Camprond 10/1
NRs: 7 Hang In There, 9 Gowel Road, 25 Fair Frontieres.
23 ran.

14:56 - Irish in Command in the Coral Cup

There we have the first real boilover of the Festival. A 50-1 winner trained by Gordon Elliott. Ok, I'll say that again. A 50-1 winner trained by Gordon Elliott, who also had the unplaced favourite Saint Felicien.
When my own hope, Unexpected Party, faded from view as they came down the hill, I was willing on Jack Foley on board Ashdale Bob. Sadly, he got tired too and young Shane Fitzgerald was the hero, producing Commander Of Fleet, a former Grade 1 Albert Bartlett runner-up here, to score. That was some effort under 11st 10lb.

14:48 - Ground fine say jockeys

Not that he was an appointed spokesman, you understand, but Denis O'Regan just told me that the jockeys are say the ground is still riding 'lovely' and if anything, it's better than it was yesterday in terms of 'pure jumping ground'.
It continues to rain heavily. Surely it will get deeper.
One of the jockeys I walked the track with, Jack Foley, rides in the Coral Cup on Ashdale Bob. If my pick, Unexpected Party, can't win. I'd like to see him come home in front. Lovely lad.

14:43 - Three non-runners in the Coral Cup

The weather puts paid to involvement on Hang In There, Fair Frontieries and McFabulous. Gowel Road shortening by the minute, now at 6s.

14.23: Full result - 14.10: Brown Advisory Novices' Chase

1st 9 L'Homme Presse 9/4 fav
2nd 1 Ahoy Senor 4/1
3rd 8 Gaillard Du Mesnil 11/1
NRs: 3 Bravemansgame, 7 Fury Road
9 ran.

14.20: Presse on, Presse on!

Super result for us there with Charlie Deutsch the cleanest of the jockeys, out front for most of the Brown Advisory. Jumping won that race. He just kept popping and popping. Nothing flambouyant. Ahoy Senor has some engine but he simply made too many mistakes to win a Grade 1.
It would have been closer had Farouk D'Alene stood up but you have to get from one side to the other with your jockey up and maybe he was more tired than he looked.
Gaillard Du Mesnil jumped really nicely and he's one to stay on the right side of in staying chases for me, on this evidence.

Racing judge Guy Lewis and Planet Sport's Jonathan Doidge at the Cheltenham Festival

14.05 On their way to post for the Brown Advisory

I keep saying it but it's true. Horrendous weather! I thought Ahoy Senor looked a picture in the paddock. Proper chaser in looks. You'd say he'd have no problem getting through this ground. My fancy, L'Homme Presse is not really a 'looker' but at the end of the day it's about getting the job done.
The two jockeys I spoke to after the opener both said the ground was soft and would only get more testing the more they race today.
Spoke to one of the ground staff, who shall remain nameless and he said that the local forecast they were given yesterday was for most of this to miss the track, hence the 5mm added last night. Oops.

13.48 Full result - 13.30: Ballymore Novices' Hurdle

1st 6 Sir Gerhard 8/11 fav
2nd 8 Three Stripe Life 8/1
3rd 9 Whatdeawant 18/1
All 9 ran.

13.40 Arise Sir Gerhard

Well, what a very surreal experience it was watching that. The TV monitor here definitely did not transmit just how heavy the rain is. They appeared to go very slowly there and still finished tired. Journey With Me's fall at the last looked a tired one.
There were cries in the press tent that Rachael Blackmore had gifted the race to the Willie Mullins-trained winner but it would have been tough for her to make the right call out there. Until they have actually raced on this ground you're not sure how soft it will be.
It will be interesting to see what the jockeys say about it. I'll pop out to find out...

13.35 Going change

Surprise, surprise... the ground was officially changed to soft throughout on the Old Course just as they came into line for the Ballymore. I ventured out to watch the race in a deserted paddock and no wonder. Even with an umbrella I was soaked in a minute and retreated to the comfort of the media tent.

13.15 Wet, wet, wet...

Just had a chat with poor, beleagured Mick Atkins, a regular 'snapper' on the racecourse circuit. Drenched! The things we media types go through to bring you your Cheltenham Festival entertainment. I did offer him my brolly to take out with him. I can't possibly type out his response on here but it was something along the lines of "How the 'heck' am I going to hold that up?!" Was only offering Mick...

12.55: Brown Advisory thoughts

Each-way market crash on this race this morning. Not great for punters, especially when it is so competitive with the 'big two' swerving it in favour of tomorrow's two-and-a-half miler.
However, I've been with L'Homme Presse since his win here in January, in the hope that the race cut up to what it has. Nothing changed that opinion after his win in the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase at Sandown. I think he will stay the extra half mile.
Given that Lucinda Russell had a winner yesterday, you couldn't rule out Ahoy Senor, who looks very classy. To have two winners for the north would be something, given the drought of recent seasons.
Bravemansgame is respected but I'm not reading as much into his defeat of Ahoy Senor as seems to generally be the case.
I think Capodanno is interesting for Ireland and it would be no surprise if he proves up to winning it, given his unexposed profile. Real good race in prospect, despite not being the strongest renewal on paper.

12.45: Thoughts on the day's races

Clearly, Sir Gerhard could go and win this by the proverbial street if everything drops right. There is a strong word here for Stage Star as a potentially significant improver. He looks like Paul Nicholls' best chance of Grade 1 success this week. However, if one horse beats Sir Gerhard I think it could be Henry de Bromhead's Journey With Me.
He's in the 'could be anything' category at the moment. He steps up in grade to the very top of this division today and his form with Minella Crooner makes you sit up and take notice. He's value for me, against the favourite, so I've backed him with a stake saver on the 'jolly'.

Henry de Bromhead

12.40: Under an hour until day two.

Rain continues to pepper the roof of this rather chilly media tent in which I am situated. Don't be surprised if it is soft throughout after a race or two, once those hooves have helped get this into the ground. When I walked the track yesterday it felt like beautiful spring ground with a lush covering of grass but this deluge could make today's racing look a lot different to yesterday's.

12.10: Champion Chase... what they're saying

Speaking to Planet Sport - Nico de Boinville - rider of Shishkin

"He is very well. It's all systems go for Wednesday.
"I think he's good enough to be adaptable to whatever the race brings. Obviously, I'll have a plan but if, for some reason that plan doesn't come off, we'll take it as it comes.
"He's got that wonderful combination of speed and stamina that you need for a race like this. There is no cause for complacency in any race but you can be confident. There's a difference.
"The Ascot race was a great race to ride in. This is different. It's a different race and different say. We don't know who has improved the most but I am happy to be on mine."

Carl Llewellyn - former dual Grand National winning jockey who rode Cheltenham Festival winners

"I probably can't see Shishkin getting beat. Things probably didn't pan out the way Nico (de Boinville) would have liked at Ascot and he was still good enough to win.
"It went well for Energumene that day, I think he got all the breaks and he still couldn't get his nose in front, so I don't see how he is going to turn that around and if Shishkin has a better trip he could win it by more.
"He got a little bit rushed at one or two of his fences at Ascot but he showed the class to be able to deal with that and win his race. I think he is top drawer and will show that. His trainer has such a good record of getting them here and doing the job on the big days."

Denis O'Regan - multiple Cheltenham Festival winning jockey

"It's a little bit tricky I think. I don't like it when they seem to nail down a Grade 1 to two or three horses. You have to respect everything in a Grade 1. You don't run in these races unless you're entitled to be there, so they have a chance at some stage.
"I suppose I'd say Shishkin will win again. I think he is very good. I love the horse. He won the Arkle very well. Won in Ascot. I just have a little concern that the two horses (Shishkin and Energumene) had a hard enough race at Ascot.
"I think that was a harder race than it's been given credit for. Running at that level takes it out of them.
If they do both run below par, what can win it?
"The thing I'll say about this year is that the crowds are back and there's going to be a lot of pace, a lot of speed, horses will react to that crowd in their own way. I'd be a little bit concerned that a few could go a little bit too quick this week.
"It might set up a few races for closers. It's very hard to rule out Put The Kettle On running well. I really think he will. He's won it before. The other one is Envoi Allen, who I like each-way."

12:00: Watering

It seems unbelievable that, with this rain forecast, they put 5mm of water on last night. It really is coming down hard and the bookmakers are reacting to that. There are some unsavoury cuts being made to the each-way markets this morning. Just the sort of thing that sticks in the craw with punters.

11:45: Champion Chase thoughts

Difficult not to have those day two thoughts dominated by the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Here's are some thoughts on the rematch between Shiskin and Energumene.

I plumped for Shishkin in my Cheltenham previews last week and I do genuinely believe he is the worthy favourite here. After all, he won the Ascot race when everything seemed to be right for Energumene, who had not a single excuse.
However, the more it rains, the more you'd think the chance of Energumene (and Chacun Pour Soi) is enhanced. Shishkin handles cut, that's true, but will his speed be slightly blunted?
We know Energumene is very effective on soft ground, we know that there was only a length between them at Ascot, and we know he jumps very well. He outjumped Shishkin that day as far as I am concerned anyway.
Other things to factor in: this race is slightly shorter than the Clarence House was and Energumene was in front if the jam stick had been placed at today's distance. We also know that Shishkin is very much proven around here and that Energumene is anything but that.
It should be fascinating to see it in the flesh. There is a definite buzz about the press room this morning, I can promise you that.

11:00: Well, what a start to day two... il pleut! And quite a lot of it too (don't know the French for that, sorry).

It's officially good, good to soft in places on both the chase and hurdles tracks for the Old Course, over which today's races are being contested.

Those thinking about bets for Thursday and Friday, well I'd suggest looking at those who have a penchant for cut underhoof. It's officially good to soft throughout on the New Course but if this rain persists, expect a change there.

It is significant rain. I've just popped back to the car to fetch an umbrella and on my way back in, the chap on the gate told me it's forecast for most of the day. By 3.30, when the tapes go up for the Queen Mother Champion Chase I'd anticipate that Clerk of the Course Jon Pullin may have even changed the official going for today. 

As Willie Mullins said to me yesterday, soft ground will better suit both Energumene and Chacun Pour Soi in their bid to lower the colours of Shishkin.

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