Paul Townend Cheltenham Festival Blog: Day Two Preview

Ballyburn – 1.30 Cheltenham

It’s a small field with just eight runners and Willie [Mullins] has five of them. Ballyburn was very good at the Dublin Racing Festival over two miles, and won at Christmas over two-and-a-half-miles in a maiden hurdle. I think he will settle well; I have no problems with him settling and he is bred to get the trip. He is just a very good horse. Predator’s Gold was a little keen at the Dublin Racing Festival but he ran a creditable race. Ile Atlantique is the one horse of the meeting I’m really sorry I am not getting to ride. I was really sweet on him but I couldn’t overlook Ballyburn. I am sure Patrick will get a good spin on him. Ballyburn has done all the talking so far and I hope he can back it up on the track.

El Fabiolo – 3.30 Cheltenham

This looks a race between El Fabiolo, Jonbon, and Edwardstone. The latter looked really back to himself when winning the last day at Newbury and seemed to love it. He adds a new spin on the race if he can reproduce that. Two miles suits El Fabiolo and we come here on the back of a good win at the Dublin Racing Festival. He easily beat Dinoblue that day. Jonbon is coming here off the back of a defeat, but we seen how Energumene got beat in that same race last year and bounced back to take this race, so it can be done. I hope my horse can get the better of Jonbon again. Their form ties in very closely and it is one each. Hopefully we can go 2-1. I think he is my best ride of the day, but it’s hard picking between him and Ballyburn.

Cantico – 5.30 Cheltenham

I had eight to choose from the in the bumper. Patrick had first choice and went for Jasmin De Vaux. I spent a lot of time listening to him and asking for his help sorting out the bumper horses. Between us all, himself, myself, and my agent, I have decided on Cantico. He ran in a very hot bumper at Leopardstown where he finished third. He stepped markedly forward on that when winning a small runner bumper on heavy ground at Navan, so he will handle the ground. He has a lovely attitude. I sat on him here on Monday morning and he felt really well, taking everything in. I am rolling the dice with him, but there is a lot of unknowns.  I don’t think anyone in the camp is too bullish on anyone in particular.

Day 2 (Style Wednesday) betting tips

Day 3 (St Patrick’s Thursday) betting tips

Day 4 (Gold Cup Day) betting tips

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