Cheltenham Festival Wednesday - Ted’s Trixie

Ted has another three selections for Day 2 at Cheltenham.

Updated: July 3, 2023 at 7:05 pm GMT+1

2.10pm Cheltenham (Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase) - Gerri Colombe

This race looks tailor made for the Gordon Elliott representative GERRI COLOMBE, who is a relentless galloper and won’t give away his unbeaten tag without a real fight. A winner of his 3 starts of fences, he showed a superb attitude to get the job done in the Grade 1 Scilly Isles at Sandown last time out.

The Esher venue poses a real question of a novice, and he jumped with aplomb. He potentially looked in difficulty when challenged by Balco Coastal, but powered up the Sandown hill. Stretching out to three miles for this contest should be perfect for him, and recent rainfall will have only aided his chances. Jordan Gainford takes the ride once again on the 7-year-old he can dine at the top table once again here.

3.30pm Cheltenham (Queen Mother Champion Chase) - Edwardstone

I am really keen on the Alan King trained star EDWARDSTONE, who was very smart when landing the Arkle 12 months ago, and pulverised the field in the Tingle Creek in the early part of this season. The wheels have come off a little but since, this looks the perfect opportunity to bounce back.

He was given a lot to do in the rearranged Clarence House Chase, and I’d be surprised if he was ridden as passively here. He has outstanding form at Cheltenham, is versatile in regards to underfoot requirements, and can get the better of some old foes this time around. Alan King stated that he felt the horse would need the run coming into his engagement at Cheltenham last time out, and he will be finely tuned for the one that really matters.

5.30pm Cheltenham (Champion Bumper) - Favour And Fortune (Each Way)

It could be a big afternoon for the combination of Tom Cannon and Alan King, and their unbeaten bumper horse FAVOUR AND FORTUNE (EW) has done very little wrong in two starts, winning both in easy fashion. He made a very taking impression when dotting up at Warwick on Kingmaker day last time out.

It was a sparkling effort and who knows what the future holds for him, but he clearly has the raw ability, and the fact his handler lets him take his chance in this hot contest rather than waiting for lesser assignments speaks volumes. Being by Soldier Of Fortune out of a Flemensfirth mare, a bit of cut in the ground won’t be an issue. I think he could give the best of the Irish something to think about.

* Betting odds correct at the time of publication. All odds are subject to changes.