It was an emotional afternoon as Marine Nationale and Jazzy Matty – winners for late jockey Michael O’Sullivan in 2023 – both won again at CheltenhamPreview: 2.40 The Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle, 2m 5fThis is always one of the fiercest betting heats of the week, and also one of the trickiest of all the races to solve, with just two successful favourites this century and winners at 50-1, 33-1 (twice) and 28-1 in the last dozen years alone. Dan Skelton fields the likely favourite in Be Aware as he attempts to complete a three-timer in this race, following victories for Langer Dan in each of the last two runnings, and while the old warrior in not in the field this time around, Henry de Bromhead’s Ballyadam, the three-and-a-half length runner-up 12 months ago, is back for another crack. Be Aware, a hold-up horse who is certain to get a strong pace to aim at, has run well in handicaps at Cheltenham and Ascot on his two previous starts this season, but his run-style means he will need some ...
Marine Nationale won the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival on day two, a poignant victory alongside Jazzy Matty's Grand Annual Chase win, both horses having been winners for the late jockey Michael O'Sullivan in 2023. Other notable races included Bambino Fever winning the Champion Bumper, Stumptown taking the Cross Country Chase, Jimmy De Seuil winning the Coral Cup, Lecky Watson winning the Novices' Chase, and The New Lion winning the Turners Novices Hurdles.
