Cheltenham Festival 2023: St James' Place tips - Billaway primed for Hunter Chase defence
Cheltenham Festival day two
The anti-climax after the Gold Cup is always palpable, but there’s still three races left for us to enjoy alongside Tipstrr’s growing team of racing pundits, who have provided our tips for this one.
It might feel like a case of "after the Lord Mayor's show", but the amateur jockeys contesting the St James' Place Chase won't be thinking that as they literally jump at the chance to test themselves and their horses over the same course as the Gold Cup contenders just 40 minutes prior.
Billaway won this last year after twice being runner-up, and he will be looking to defend his crown when he lines up alongside 23 other hopefuls in what is known as the "Amateur Gold Cup".
Three top-two finishes mean this Mullins-trained 11-year-old clearly knows how to negotiate the Cheltenham fences, and although he has not looked scintillating in his two outings this season, he arrives off the back of winning ride at Naas last month.
Top tip: Billaway
The short price of the firm favourite Vaucelet only enhances the odds lower down the betting, and despite some market support, Bob And Co still holds a tasty outsider price.
