Cheltenham Festival Day 2 – Ladies Day
The Cheltenham Festival continues on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, with another day of top-class racing action. Day 2, also known as Ladies Day, features some of the most competitive races of the week, including the Champion Chase, the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, and the ever-unpredictable Coral Cup Hurdle. Here’s everything you need to know about the key races, contenders, and betting opportunities for Day 2 at Cheltenham.
Cheltenham Day 2 Bets
Cheltenham Festival’s Day 2 promises plenty of action, with stars like Jonbon, Ballyburn, and Final Demand set to take center stage. Whether you’re backing a Mullins hotshot or looking for value in the handicaps, Wednesday’s lineup is full of top-class racing and betting opportunities. Will we see the same sort of drama as Cheltenham Day 1? Let’s take a look at the latest odds, tips, and our expert insights to make the most of your Cheltenham Festival bets on Ladies Day.
Turner’s Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) – 13:20
Willie Mullins has dominated this race with seven wins, and he has another strong candidate in Final Demand, who became the favorite after an impressive 12-length victory at the Dublin Racing Festival, achieving a Racing Post Rating (RPR) of 154. Britain’s best hope lies with The New Lion, trained by Dan Skelton, after his impressive Grade 1 Challow Hurdle win at Newbury. Other key runners include Kawaboomga, another Mullins-trained horse with raw talent but limited Graded experience, and Potters Charm, a previous Cheltenham course-and-distance winner trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies.
Bet £10, Get £60 in Free Bets on This Race
Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) – 14:00
This staying novice chase features three former Cheltenham Festival winners. Ballyburn, last year’s Grade 1 novice hurdle winner, steps up in trip and brings strong credentials after a Grade 1 win at the Dublin Racing Festival. However, his jumping remains a concern. Gordon Elliott saddles Better Days Ahead and Stellar Story, who were closely matched in a Grade 2 at Navan in February. Other Mullins-trained contenders include Dancing City and Lecky Watson, while Croke Park could further bolster Elliott’s challenge. Nicky Henderson’s Jango Baie and Jingko Blue represent the best British hopes.
Bet £10, Get £60 in Free Bets on This Race
Coral Cup Hurdle (Premier Handicap) – 14:40
This fiercely competitive handicap hurdle, first run in 1993, regularly attracts a full field. Langer Dan, last year’s winner, became the first dual winner of the race and carried 11st 8lb to victory off a mark of 141. Historically, winners fall within the 138-143 rating band, with 11 of the last 15 winners having finished first or second in their previous race. Younger, less-exposed horses tend to perform well. Nicky Henderson is the most successful trainer in this race with four victories, and he will be looking to add another win in 2025.
Bet £10, Get £60 in Free Bets on This Race
Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase – 15:20
Returning to a handicap format, this unique contest over Cheltenham’s cross-country course is historically dominated by Irish trainers, who have won 16 of 19 runnings. Gordon Elliott leads the charge, having won five editions. The race was abandoned last year due to heavy rain, but this year’s renewal promises a competitive field. Philip Hobbs remains the only British trainer to have won this race, with Balthazar King in 2012 and 2014. Expect a strong Irish presence once again in 2025.
Bet £10, Get £60 in Free Bets on This Race
Champion Chase (Grade 1) – 16:00
One of the festival’s most prestigious races, the Champion Chase sees Jonbon return after missing last year’s festival. The Nicky Henderson-trained star is unbeaten in five races since and boasts an RPR of 177 after dominant victories in the Tingle Creek and Clarence House Chase. Willie Mullins saddles three major threats: Gaelic Warrior, Energumene, and El Fabiolo, though each has questions to answer. Other notable contenders include Il Est Francais, who was second in the King George VI Chase, and Dublin Chase top finishers Solness and Marine Nationale.
Bet £10, Get £60 in Free Bets on This Race
Grand Annual Chase (Premier Handicap) – 16:40
A high-speed 2m handicap chase, the Grand Annual moved to the Old Course four years ago, favoring prominent racers. Last year’s winner, Unexpected Party, continued the trend of horses racing prominently. Form at Cheltenham is a key factor, with nine of the last 15 British-trained winners having won at the course previously. The quality has improved in recent years, with most winners rated at least 140. Novices have an excellent record in the race, with 15 winning since 1983.
Bet £10, Get £60 in Free Bets on This Race
Champion Bumper (Grade 1) – 17:20
Entries for this prestigious bumper race are made late to allow horses maximum preparation time. Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott dominate the ante-post market, having won seven of the last eight renewals. Mullins’ leading hope is Bambino Fever, the Dublin Racing Festival bumper winner, while Elliott’s Kalypso’chance is also highly regarded. David Pipe’s Windbeneathmywings, an impressive Ascot winner, gives Britain a strong contender. Henry de Bromhead’s Scope To Improve also adds to the depth of competition.
Bet £10, Get £60 in Free Bets on This Race
Best Free Bets for Cheltenham Day 2
You’ll find tonnes of betting offers and best bets for Cheltenham at our horse racing partner, William Hill. Right now, they have a huge free bets offer for Cheltenham and you only need to deposit and bet with £10 to claim it:
Join William Hill: Bet £10, Get £60 in Free Bets
Make sure to check the latest odds and promotions to get the best value on your bets.