Cheltenham Festival Day 2 review

Energumene bounced back from a below par effort in the rescheduled Clarence House Chase at Cheltenham in January to win the Queen Mother Champion Chase for the second consecutive year on day two of the Festival. Willie Mullins' nine year old was back to his best racing close to the pace and jumping well. A ten lengths scorer, he outclassed his opponents winning a fifth Grade 1 in the process. Market rival Edwardstone was the disappointent of the race and never looking like troubling the favourite. His jumping wasn't fluent and was a spent force at the top of the hill.

Ireland's champion trainer also sent out Impaire Et Passe to win the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle with a brilliant display. Stepping back up in distance, Paul Townend's mount cruised into contention and pulled away after the hometurn. A six and a half lengths winner, he had too much speed for his opponents and looks every inch a Champion Hurdle contender for next season. He is the best novice hurdler in training at the moment and would have given Marine Nationale plenty to think about in the Supreme NH on Tuesday. Gaelic Warrior ran well in second having got lit up beforehand. His jumping wasn't an issue - he simply wasn't good enough to land a blow on his stablemate. He will have other days, especially over fences next season. The heavily supported Hermes Allen cut out quickly after the second last with connections inclined to blame the tacky ground. Once again, the result proved how far clear the Irish novices are over their British counterparts.

While Impaire Et Passe (5/2) was a good result for followers of the One Jump Ahead Cheltenham Festival Update, it was otherwise a disappointing afternoon. Fact To File ran well in the bumper holding every chance in the homestraight. Unfortunately, A Dream To Share confirmed his superiority over the Mullins runner and is too quick for him even in testing ground. I thought Captain Conby was travelling as well as anything at the second last in the Coral Cup but Dusty Sheehy's runner failed to pick up, which was a surprise because he stays further. Kevin Donoghue's mount faded into sixth position, which was underwhelming to say the least. Good Risk At All plugged on in seventh suggesting he is worth trying over further again. Hopefully the tide will turn on Thursday.