The Scout is the principal tipster for the Daily Express and Sunday Express, and for the last 25 years he has been acknowledged as one of the top private handicappers in England.
He also sits atop the Racing Post’s “Press Challenge” table for 2018, making him the No 1 tipster of any media outlet. You’d be a fool not to follow him!
The ground, with was upgraded from heavy, soft in places yesterday, could firm up further with clerk of the course Simon Claisse hinting it could be “soft all round” by the time racing starts on Wednesday.
The Scout tips: 1.30pm Samcro, 2.10pm Black Corton (nap), 2.50pm William Henry, 3.30pm Altior, 4.10pm The Last Samuri, 4.50pm Mitchouka, 5.30pm Acey Milan.
Cheltenham tips for day two in full
1.30pm Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle
SAMCRO is unbeaten in six runs – three bumpers and three hurdles – and should remain so despite this being the biggest test of his short career. Gordon Elliott’s charge was given a short break to freshen him for his pre-Cheltenham run and he did all that was asked of him in defeating Duc Des Genievres comfortably at Leopardstown last month.
Had an entry in the Irish Champion Hurdle and could have gone for the Supreme Novices Hurdle, but connections have plumped for this slightly easier task. What will chase him home?
On the balance of all known form it looks like Next Destination is booked for second spot. Willie Mullins’ runner is also unbeaten over hurdles, but hasn’t quite matched Samcro’s performances thus far. But he is very lightly raced and still improving and might be a bigger threat to favourite backers than the odds suggest.
Duc Des Genievres has already failed to cope with Samcro so the best of the rest could be the Tom George-trained Black Op, who failed narrowly to beat Santina over this course in January. Kept on gamely that day and could be running on up the hill in the closing stages.
2.10pm RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase
BLACK CORTON (nap) could give the highly-promising Bryony Frost the biggest winner of her fledgling career. The Paul Nicholls-trained runner has won eight of his 11 races over fences and was second in the other three so is sure to give his running today. A comfortable winner at Ascot last time, he is yet to race on heavy ground, but it would be a surprise if he couldn’t cope with the conditions.
Presenting Percy is Ireland’s leading novice chaser and is respected. Had a hard race at Gowran Park last month when runner-up to Our Duke and provided that hasn’t left a mark he is sure to make them all go.
Fellow Irish challenger Monalee might have had a perfect three-from-three record leading into this but for falling at Leopardstown in December. Book-ended that unfortunate run with wins at Punchestown and on a return visit to Leopardstown.
2.50pm Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle
WILLIAM HENRY will be fitted with cheekpieces for the first time – and that could give Nicky Henderson’s runner an extra edge in this competitive event. Good winner last time when returned to hurdles at Kempton, landing a Listed race from Spiritofthegames. Has been raised 6lb for that success but still looks feasibly handicapped.
Diamond King represents the Gordon Elliott-Davy Russell partnership and should go well at a decent price. Has won four times over hurdles, including in this very race in 2016. Raced off a mark of 149 that day and is only 1lb higher this afternoon. Topofhegame was fourth here on his only run and was a winner last time out, beating Golan Fortune to take a Grade Three race at Sandown.
3.30pm Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase
ALTIOR has 13 wins from 13 over obstacles and is surely one of the bankers of the meeting. Won his first six chases and even wind surgery and a 287-day layoff has made no difference to his progress as he showed when landing his Cheltenham ‘prep’ race at Newbury with contemptuous ease from the useful Politologue (re-opposes today).
Douvan’s owner had suggested that his horse might sidestep this for a tilt at the Ryanair, but that idea was shelved less than 24 hours later and he is likely to be the biggest threat to the selection. Injured his pelvis in this race last year and hasn’t been seen in public since.
However, his trainer Willie Mullins is no stranger to producing horses fit and ready to run after such long absences. Mullins’ other runner Min may have a better chance of upsetting the hot favourite. Showed his true colours when landing a Grade Two in impressive style at Leopardstown last time.
4.10pm Glenfarclas Chase
THE LAST SAMURI ran well on his first try here in January, finishing a decent fourth behind Definitely Red in a Grade Two chase.
If taking to the eccentric fences and layout of the cross-country course this vastly experienced 10-year-old could go very well. On the other hand, Cause Of Causes won this race last year and has now won at the last four Festivals. Had nine lengths in hand of Bless The Wings last March, staying on strongly and will go close again.
The runner-up that day is also expected to go well again. Showed how much he liked the cross-country course when winning here in December.
4.50pm Boodles Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
MITCHOUKA is as consistent as they come with form figures of 2112311 since he came over from France to join the Gordon Elliott yard. The Gigginstown-owned runner has won his last two races and still looks on a good mark.
Paddleyourowncanoe, from the Colin Tizzard yard, has won two from four for the trainer since being transferred from Daniel Mark Loughnane’s stable. Oxford Blu is from the in-form Olly Murphy yard and will be ridden by Richard Johnson. Failed by a diminishing neck to catch Solomon Grey at Market Rasen last time out. This stiffer track will suit.
5.30pm Weatherbys Champion Bumper
ACEY MILAN has rattled off a hat-trick after his debut defeat at Exeter and has looked better with each run. Was particularly impressive when winning at this track in January under today’s pilot, Aidan Coleman.
Relegate is unbeaten in two bumpers for Willie Mullins and looks very progressive. With only two runs under her belt, the mare has plenty of scope. Certainly won’t be in the relegation places even in this big field.
Herecomestheboom could run well at a big price for Fergal O’Brien. Was well beaten at Ascot, but a reproduction of his win here in October last year would give him a fair chance.