Cheltenham Festival 2019: Ladies Day 'bankers' and favourites for every race today

It’s Ladies Day at Cheltenham Festival 2019 and despite concerns about the weather the racing is on.

The action is headlined by the Queen Mother Champion Chase, in which Altior goes in search of a fourth successive Festival win.

But that is not all racing fans have to look forward to on another packed day in Cheltenham

Ahead of the day two, we take a look at the seven races to guide you through the favourites, ‘bankers’ and outside bets in each of them.

For offers throughout the week bet with The Pools.

1.30 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle

Champ has never finished outside of the top two in his career, and starts the first race on Ladies Day as favourite.

Behind the Nicky Henderson-trained horse, Battleoverdoyen, City Island and Easy Game will all be in contention but it is Brewin’upastorm that has caught our tipster’s attention.

“Brewin’upastorm has each-way claims – at the very least,” according to Newsboy.

“The point-to-point and bumper winner made the perfect start over hurdles with a four-length margin in a novice event at Huntingdon in December.

“Twenty days later, my selection stepped up to the top level for the Challow Hurdle at Newbury and finished fourth to Champ.

“A stiffer test of stamina will help Brewin’upastorm’s bid to turn round that four-length.”

2.10 RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase

Delta Work starts as a fairly heavy favourite for this race and has won on his last three outings, most recently at Leopardstown on December 29.

Second-favourite Santini won at Newbury at the beginning of December, but came home third at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Topofthegame, third-favourite here, was second in that race at Kempton, but Newsboy has tipped Santini to edge him and Delta Work today.

He said: “Santini has endured a far-from-ideal preparation – but may still be good enough.”

2.50 Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle

Uradel hasn’t won since July, and was fifth on his last outing, but the Willie Mullins-trained horse starts this race as favourite under Rugby Walsh.

Cracking Smart and Brio Conti are both also fairly short odds for the Handicap Hurdle, but it is Carnardier that has caught Newsboy’s eye.

This race is the Dermot McLoughlin-trained horse’s handicap debut but our tipster has seen something in the novice.

“Canardier has the untapped potential to improve past his British Horseracing Authority handicap mark of 137,” he said.

Cracking Smart, Erick Le Rouge and Tully East could also have a say in an open race.

3.30 Betway Queen Mother Champions Chase

Altior, the Nicky Henderson-trained nine-year-old, starts the Champion Chase as an odds-on favourite and with good reason.

It is almost four years since Altior lost a race and he has won on his previous three appearances at Cheltenham.

Newsboy said: “Altior towers head and shoulders above his rivals and should defend his unbeaten record over obstacles for a fourth consecutive Festival triumph.

“Five times successful over hurdles, Nicky Henderson’s superstar is now 12 from 12 over fences, leaving him within one win of the 18-strong undefeated sequence completed by Big Buck’s in December 2012.”

Min was Altior’s closest challenger 12 months ago, losing by seven lengths, and he looks well placed to come home second again.

4.10 Glenfarclas Chase

Victory in this race last year helped prepare Tiger Roll for Grand National success and he looks well placed to defend his crown on Wednesday.

If the Gordon Elliott-trained horse is successful it would be his fourth win at the Festival.

Auvergnat, Josies Orders – who won at Cheltenham in November – and Urgent De Gregaine looked best placed to put the pressure on the favourite.

4.50 Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle

According to Newsboy this race is a “typically wide-open affair” and it is Band of Outlaws that starts as favourite.

The four-year-old, trained by Joseph O’Brien, has won on his last two outings but could face competition from stablemate Star Max.

Newsboy has described the hopeful as a “smart performer” and believes that a “handicap mark of 126 looks within range for Rachael Blackmore’s mount.”

He added: “In a field of lightly raced and progressive juveniles, Band Of Outlaws, Ciel De Neige and Our Power are just three names to throw into the mix.”

5.30 Weatherbys Champion Bumper

Willie Mullins-trained Blue Sari starts as favourite having won on his only previous outing, at Gowran Park in January.

Envoi Allen has won on each of his four starts, and has caught the eye of Newsboy for this one.

He said: “Envoi Allen brings the best form to the table – with the promise of more to come.”