The Cheltenham Festival / Philip Spink / 16 March 2011 /

Weapon's Amnesty and Big Zeb took Wednesday's two Grade 1s twelve months ago and the second day of the Cheltenham Festival could be a good one for the Irish again.

The National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup for amateur riders traditionally has a strong Irish contingent, with raiders Loving Around, Deejaydee, and Another Rum all landing the spoils in the last fifteen years. Five make the trip across the Irish Sea for this year's renewal and Chicago Grey (13.30) could prove a good thing and give Gordon Elliott a first Festival success. A winner at Cheltenham in October, Chicago Grey has progressed well in his first season chasing, and marathon trips look like they'll suit him down to the ground. It's his penultimate run at Cheltenham, when splitting RSA Chase favourite Time for Rupert and subsequent Racing Post Chase winner Quinz, that makes him of major interest on what will be his first start in a handicap over fences.

Time For Rupert in the RSA Chase has been a lot of people's idea of a Festival banker throughout the winter, but some big dangers have emerged to Paul Webber's charge in the last six weeks, and, if the favourite was to misfire, it's not hard to see the prize heading back to Ireland for the third successive season. Willie Mullins, hot off yesterday's double, is seeking a fourth winner in the race since 1998 and saddles Mikael d'Haguenet and Quel Esprit, but the two to back win and place against the field are Jessies Dream and Bostons Angel.
Jessies Dream, trained, like the first selection by Gordon Elliott, is a hugely likeable horse who would arguably be three from three over fences this season but for a last-fence blip at Leopardstown in January. The return to three miles will suit him and he seems sure to go well under Timmy Murphy. Bostons Angel was beaten by Jessies Dream in the Drinmore at Fairyhouse in December, but has bounced back in a big way, winning a couple of Grade 1s at Leopardstown, showing a fine attitude to see off Magnanimity on the latest of those last month. Another who will relish the return to three miles, Bostons Angel could outrun his odds.

Recommendations

Back Chicago Grey @ [6.2] in the 13.30
Back Bostons Angel win and place @ [17.0] and [4.4] in the 14.40
Back Jessies Dream win and place @ [9.8] and [3.25] in the 14.40

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