Cheltenham Festival LIVE: Day 2 tips and latest odds after major upset on first day of races
The Queen Mother Champion Chase headlines the action at 4pm, where Jonbon is much fancied with Nico De Boinville aboard, while the Coral Cup Hurdle (2.40pm) and Cross Country Steeple Chase (3.20pm) are among the other fascinating races on Day 2.
The opening day of racing delivered a huge shock as the showpiece Champion Hurdle was won by 25/1 shot Golden Ace, with horse racing superstar and heavy favourite Constitution Hill stunningly falling halfway through, as did last year's winner State Man. It allowed Golden Ace to come from nowhere to triumph, with Burdett Road (66/1) taking second and 150/1 shot Winter Fog in third for an all-time Cheltenham shock.
The 'greatest show on turf' will also include Friday's Gold Cup, where Galopin Des Champs, who is the favourite on betting sites, hopes to land a famous hat-trick this. The full race card and Festival schedule is here, and we'll be bringing you all the action as Day 2 unfolds.The Cheltenham Festival reaches Day 2: Full schedule and list of winners
Best bets and horses to watch for Day 2
Snow flurry hits Cheltenham on Style Wednesday
Day 1 saw Golden Ace shockingly win Champion Hurdle after Constitution Hill and State Man fell
09:21 , Mike Jones
We've listed all the horses Rachael Blackmore is riding on Wednesday of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival:
Wednesday 12 March
2.40pm: Coral Cup Hurdle
Ballyadam - Age: 10, Weight: 11-12, Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
4pm: Champion Chase
Captain Guinness - Age: 10, Weight 11-10, Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
4.40pm: Grand Annual Chase
Dancing On My Own - Age: 11, Weight 11-10, Trainer Henry de Bromhead
09:15 , Luke Baker
The early pictures emerging of the snow on the ground at Prestbury Park are pretty spectacular
09:12 , Mike Jones
The snow has almost stopped after a heavy burst earlier this morning.
The course itself looks clear and much of the concourse should clear by the time racing begins this afternoon.
That is providing the snow stays away.
09:04 , Luke Baker
We've had snow in Cheltenham, which probably wasn't among many people's tips this week.
But how will it affect racing today?
Cheltenham Festival weather: Latest forecast as shock snow flurry hits on Day 2
08:52 , Luke Baker
And Sam Turner has also previewed today's action on Style Wednesday, with the Queen Mother Champion Chase as the headline act
08:39 , Luke Baker
Fair to say it was a drama-filled opening day at Cheltenham and The Independent's racing correspondent Sam Turner has reviewed all the action
08:28 , Luke Baker
Cheltenham Festival is back as the horse racing season gathers pace with the four-day spectacle one of the highlights of the sport's calendar.
The Festival began with Champion Day before Style Wednesday and then St Patrick's Thursday, with Gold Cup Day bringing the event to a close on Friday.
Here is the full list of winners and scheduled race card:
Cheltenham Festival: Full list of winners and runners for Day 2
08:20 , Luke Baker
It's a clean sweep in the expert tips for today's big race - the Queen Mother Champion Chase at 4pm
Ruby Walsh's tip (for ): Jonbon 4/5
Jonbon, all day, every day. He comes here on an upward curve and I hope he wins. He's a brilliant horse and I hope he gets the credit he deserves. He's an absolute good thing.
Sam Turner's tip: Jonbon 4/5
Jonbon's critics will point to the fact he has been beaten three times at Cheltenham, while handicappers will point to his best six career efforts taking place away from Prestbury Park. However, the nine-year-old has won all eight of his starts with Nico de Boinville on board and he looks sure to have a good pace to aim at here with the front-running Solness in opposition. Of his rivals, Marine Nationale should relish the drying ground and strong pace and looks the best placed to cause Jonbon most problems.
Ed Chamberlin's tip (for ): Jonbon 5/6
The Queen Mother Champion Chase is the big race of the day, and one of the big horses of the week. I can't wait to see Jonbon – I love him. Sir Anthony McCoy would come back and ride him if he could. He's unbeatable, I think, under Nico de Boinville – and how pleased am I that Sky Bet are going to super boost Jonbon – fantastic!
08:11 , Luke Baker
A cool, dry day two – known as Style Wednesday – at Cheltenham promises more thrills with the Coral Cup and the Queen Mother Champion Chase among the highlights of a packed schedule.
Nicky Henderson's Jonbon is back for glory in the Champion Chase, having withdrawn at the 11th hour last year. Henry de Bromhead's Captain Guinness triumphed in Jonbon's absence but the form book suggests defending his crown will be tough and betting sites make him a big outsider.
Check out tips from the experts from this race and others on Day 2:
Cheltenham Festival 2025 tips, best bets and horses to watch on day two
07:59 , Luke Baker
Fashions change, betting stakes increase and the weather in late winter fluctuates - but at Cheltenham Festival, many things remain largely unchanged.
Amid the sea of flat caps and tweed jackets in the Grand Stand, racing on Tuesday got off to the famous Cheltenham roar, sounding as exuberant and impassioned as ever.
More than 55,000 racegoers piled into the terraces that line the course to excitedly cheer as the favourite Kopek Des Bordes came first amid the heavy thud of hoofs on the soft turf.
Read a full report from Alex Ross at Cheltenham:
£7.80 pints not enough to deter punters as Cheltenham Festival gets underway
07:58 , Luke Baker
The opening day of the Cheltenham Festival provided thrills and excitement aplenty with the biggest twist coming in the headline Champion Hurdle race.
Golden Ace took the trophy for jockey Lorcan Williams and trainer Jeremy Scott after the pre-race favourite, Constitution Hill, and last year's champion, State Man, both fell.
Williams held his charge in the middle of the field, kept up the pace, and took advantage of great fortune to shock bookmakers and punters alike.
Dramatic Champion Hurdle provides thrilling twist on opening day at Cheltenham
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