On the second day of the Cheltenham Festival, he was dedicated to the memory of Michael O’Sullivan.
Both horses included in O’sullivan’s 2023 Cheltenham Double, Marine Nationale and Jazzy Matty, prevailed at Chase Chase and Grand Yearbook. Their victories come just under a month after his tragic death from injuries sustained in the fall in Thurles.
Since O’Sullivan’s tragic passage is still at the forefront of everyone in the community of horses in the race community, attention in terms of events over Cheltenham’s fences will be focused on the obstacle of Stayers and Ryanair Chase.
Card
1.20 – obstacle of mare of novice
The latest addition to the festival calendar, after being first led in 2016, coach Willie Mullins will hope to re -establish his dominance in this race.
Mullins coached the first five winners, but the last four editions won four different coaches. Mullins endured infertile rides at the time, but there are seven runners in this. Aurora Vega (9-1) is his best goal, but Sixandahalf is a favorite 3-1.
2.00 – Chase of Jack Richards Novalija
Re-presented to the program for this year, which initially led from 2005 to 2020, 13-2 Nurburging is a favorite for Joseph Patrick O’Brien. However, Caldwell Potter (16-1) is the only winner of the 1st grade on 20th ground, which makes him a decent chance for coach Paul Nicholls.
2.40 – Protemps handicap obstacle
Viewed as some of the spring boards for the younger horses with design on bigger and better things in the jumper races, Nico de Boinville will hope that he will be deducted from his disappointment at Jonbon in Chase Chase. He drives 15-2 favorites Jeriko du Reponet.
3.20 – Ryanair Chase
Run over two miles and four furlongs, this is the most important race for horses whose ideal distance falls somewhere between the one in the Chase Chase and the Golden Cup. Mullins’s fact for the file is 5-4 favorite, but 7-1 protector aims to win the second consecutive year for Joker Harry Skelton and coach Dan Skelton.
4.00 – an obstacle to the view
Thursday belongs to distance obstacles while fighting this competition in three kilometers. Teahupoo (13-8) is a favorite that prevailed as in 2024 for Gordon Elliotta, who is also the second favorite in the background (6-1). Lucky Place (7-1) provides another opportunity for de Boinville to exhaust himself for his disappointment on Wednesday.
4.40 – Handicap Festival Place
This chase handicap has often proven a springboard to 1 grade 1. Last year’s winner Shakem Up’arry (18-1) is on the field, but 9-2 favorite Jagwar won in Cheltenham in January.
5.20 – Kim Muir Henchaphap Jase
Long-distance racing limited to amateur jockeys provides an opportunity for another emotional victory while brother Michael O’Sullivan Alan drives 5-1 favorite by air in his debut in Cheltenham.
Time
Time is set for Thursday. There will be partially cloudy conditions with seven degrees Celsius high.
How to watch
In the UK you can watch all the races on ITV Racing and Racing TV. Racing TV is available through Sky and Virgin Media.
If you are not near the TV set, you can flow the event through ITV Racing and Racing TV.
