Postpublished at 14:37 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March
14:40 Coral Cup Hurdle 2m 5f
Andrew Thornton
Former jockey on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
This is the sort of race where you're better off blindfolded and taking a pick.
Summary
Marine Nationale and Jazzy Matty win in back-to-back races
Both horses were led to victory by the late Michael O'Sullivan in 2023
Postpublished at 14:37 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March
Postpublished at 14:36 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March
14:40 Coral Cup Hurdle 2m 5f
This could be a chaotic one - there are 26 runners taking part. TWENTY-SIX.
A challenge for racing commentators, jockeys, and live-texters alike.
Pundit picks - Gina Brycepublished at 14:34 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March
Gina Bryce
BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra at CheltenhamWe'll be asking some of our pundits for selections during the week. Here's broadcaster Gina Bryce:
14:40 Coral Cup - Impose Toi 6-1
Course winner, an excellent record fresh which was again in play when winning on last start at Newbury after 11 months off. Proved he stays the trip there. Has untapped potential, has been kept fresh for this and trainer Nicky Henderson has won this race four times.
16:40 Grand Annual Chase - ThirdTime Lucki 16-1
A Grade Two winner as a novice here for the Skeltons, showed he retains ability on first chase start for Fergal O'Brien at Cheltenham in November. Not so good since but now well handicapped.
Skeltons eyeing Coral Cup hat-trickpublished at 14:31 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March
14:40 Coral Cup Hurdle 2m 5f
Image source, Getty ImagesNext up is the Coral Cup, where brothers Harry and Dan Skelton are hoping for a second success of the day with Be Aware.
In a packed field where 26 are set to run, Be Aware arrives in good form and hopeful of bringing trainer Dan a third win in this race in as many years.
Like Harry Skelton, Nico de Boinville is a two-time winner of this race on Whisper (2014) and William Henry (2019). He will ride Impose Toi for Nicky Henderson.
Darts fans may look at Bunting, ridden by Paul Townend for Willie Mullins. The much-loved Stephen Bunting has struggled in Premier League Darts this year, but can his namesake horse bring Coral Cup success?
'I really enjoy the big sporting events'published at 14:28 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March
Steve Bruce
Ex-Manchester United defender on BBC Radio 5 Sports ExtraWhen I can, I enjoy it. I really enjoy the big sporting events and I'm lucky enough to have done Cheltenham a few times.
When we see the debacle of the Champion Hurdle, you can understand how hard this sport is. They want to win and that's sport. Fantastic.
Postpublished at 14:27 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March
Among the punters at Cheltenham today, there is a well-known footballing face...
Postpublished at 14:24 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March
From the sublime...
Image source, Getty Images...to the, erm, less sublime.
Image source, Getty ImagesIt's Style Wednesday!published at 14:22 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March
Previously known as Ladies' Day, this is the day on which punters are encouraged to come dressed in their finery.
A few people have certainly got the memo...
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 14:19 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March
That is Willie Mullins' first winner of day two, and takes him to three victories at Cheltenham 2025 so far.
Postpublished at 14:17 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March
14:00 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase 3m
Winning trainer Willie Mullins, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra: "Sean [O'Keeffe] kept it very uncomplicated. Kept him on the outside jumping.
"We elected to ride Ballyburn in a gallop and jump. Jumping let him down, but there we are. We live and we learn.
"I thought Dancing City was unlucky, made that mistake at the last but he was travelling very well."
'You never know what can happen'published at 14:15 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March
14:00 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase 3m
Image source, Getty ImagesLecky Watson jockey Sean O'Keeffe speaking to ITV Racing: "Over the moon, I can't believe it. I thought he had a nice chance. I thought if I got him jumping he'd do well.
"It's amazing here, you never know what can happen."
On Michael O'Sullivan: "Michael O'Sullivan used to share a house with us here in Cheltenham. He loved this horse. This is for him."
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 14:13 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March
#bbcracing, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
Well well well, our first major shock of the day. Ballyburn joins Majborough and Constitution Hill as an upset favourite in this most unpredictable of Cheltenham Festivals.
Were you one of the lucky ones to back Lecky Watson? And what have you made of the Festival so far? Let us know.
Brown Advisory Novices' Chase resultpublished at 14:11 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March
14:00 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase 3m
1 Lecky Watson (S F O'Keeffe) 20-1
2 Stellar Story (D J Gilligan) 22-1
3 Better Days Ahead (J W Kennedy) 13-27 ran
'No fluke about it'published at 14:10 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March
14:00 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase 3m
Charlie Poste
Former jump jockey on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
Image source, ReutersNo fluke about it. Lecky Watson put in the best complete performance. When Dancing City dropped away tamely, he was in position.
Ballyburn was too keen, found no rhythm because of the pace of the race.
Lecky Watson winspublished at 14:07 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March
Breaking14:00 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase 3m
Who saw this coming?
Lecky Watson was the outsider, perhaps the seventh-favourite of the seven runners, as long as 20-1 at the start of this race.
But as all around him lost their heads, jockey Sean O'Keeffe kept his and calmly guided the surprise winner home.
Ballyburn, the odds-on favourite, was nowhere.
Postpublished at 14:06 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March
14:00 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase 3m
Lecky Watson, an unheralded outsider, leads over the final fence!
Postpublished at 14:06 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March
14:00 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase 3m
We have a faller, Quai De Bourbon has gone. And it disrupts Ballyburn!
We could have a shock here.
Postpublished at 14:05 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March
14:00 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase 3m
Ballyburn is two lengths back from the rest of the field and seven off the lead.
With five to jump, Paul Townend has work to do.
Postpublished at 14:04 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March
14:00 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase 3m
Charlie Poste
Former jump jockey on BBC Radio 5 Sports ExtraBallyburn is almost biting the turf his head is that low. Paul Townend is having to work hard.
Postpublished at 14:04 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March
14:00 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase 3m
Nine to go, second-favourite Dancing City leads the field.
All seven, including Ballyburn, still in contention.
