Cheltenham Showcase day 2 - Racecard and our picks for all 7 races.

Day 2 of the opening meet at Cheltenham, there wouldn't be a stand out race on Saturday but there are big fields which always breeds good, competitive racing.

The Pertemps hurdle qualifier is probably the best race with 18 runners with Long Draw currently being the favourite for Olly Murphy and the champ Sean Bowen.

Check out our interactive racecard below.

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13:10 William Hill Each Way Extra Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (Class 3)

5 star selection

Newton Tornado

Lightly raced 6 year old who has had 6 career starts and has never been out the first 3 (322221) Finally won at Ffos Las in April in a maiden hurdle beating Courageous Strike who isn't no world beater. His career best run was at Uttoxeter in February when beaten by Saint Palais who is now rated 126 over hurdles and 145 chasing. Was also just behind Diva Luna at Cheltenham on new years day and has the form in the book.

4 star selection

Crest Of Fortune

Top weight, but has the back class in form compared to a few in here including 3rd in the Grade 1 novice Sefton Hurdle at Aintree behind Julius Des Pictons who is rated at 138 after that win. Sam Twiston-Davies gets on well with him and likely to be at the head of the market on his seasonally reappearance.

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13:45 Play William Hill's Final One Standing Novices' Hurdle (Class 2)

5 star selection

Pour Les Filles

Bumper winner at Leopardstown back end of 2022 and took until October 2025 to get his win over hurdles which came at Downpatrick comfortably but beat nothing, comes here in good order but this is much harder. Highest rated in the field but does not have top weight so on paper he is well in. Interesting contender.

4 star selection

Conman John

5 year old Malinas Gelding who had a good bumper season in 2024 after winning a point to point at Damma House. Ran well in Punchestown bumper when 5th but was behind Catchintsavo who he faces again here. Made hurdle debut at Kelso 20 days ago beating stablemate Timefortom but they pulled well clear of the rest and he ran on very strong late on. From a smart yard and he seems to have an engine.

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14:20 William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Chase

5 star selection

Rock My Way

Consistent type who won a grade 2 Novice hurdle for old trainer Syd Hosie in January 2023. Joined Joe Tizzard in January 2025 for owner J P Romans and had a successful winter/spring including a 2nd behind Haiti Couleurs (won the Irish Grand National) Followed up well in the Scottish Grand National at Ayr finishing 5th. Stays much further then this and comes here after a wind operation and blinker and tongue strap used here.

4 star selection

Hyland

Classy hurdler who improved for going chasing. Won on chase debut at Southwell easily beating Mahons Glory, won back to back races at Cheltenham latterly a listed chase over 3 miles beating Resplendent Grey who went on to win the Grade 3 bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown. Had a crack at the Grand National but it didn't work out for him that day. Returns in calmer waters around a track he goes well at.

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14:55 Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier) (Class 2)

5 star selection

Long Draw

Started Hurdle career of a mark of just 100 at Ffos Las and won going away was 2nd the next 3 times and his mark as slowly creeped up to 120 before winning at Cheltenham in December 2024 beating Gowel Road by 5 lengths easily, won again at Cheltenham in April and clearly goes well here for team in flying form with a strike rate of 50%.

4 star selection

Winning Smut

Took until may 2025 to finally win a race which came at Ballinrobe comfortably by 4 lengths under todays ride at Danny Gilligan. followed up well when beat 1/2 a length 2nd behind Greatness Awaits. Got his head back in front in listed company at Galway in front of Fascile Mode and Chart Topper. Comes here in good order and should remain competitive.

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15:30 Masterson holdings Hurdle (Class 2)

5 star selection

Give It To Me Oj

90 rated on the flat and has made a successful switch to hurdles when winning at Newbury in February 2025 on Soft ground then went into Grade 1 novice at Aintree and was only beat 9 lengths and was 2 lengths behind the classy Puturhandstogether. Won back to back flat races at Epsom and comes here in great form and this race looks weak.

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16:05 William hill Extra Places With Bog 'Chasing Excellence' Novices' Chase (Class 2)

5 star selection

Intense Approach

Novice hurdle winner at Cheltenham October 2024 under Harry Cobden beating Hauraki Gulf and backed that up with a win at Musselburgh making all and beating Gale Mahler by 5 lengths who is rated 130. Had a go at the Albert Bartlett but was pulled up. Got back to winning ways at Galway in August on chase debut, comes here fit and ready and Alex Harvey keeps the ride.

4 star selection

Welcom To Cartries

Lightly raced 7 year old who missed his season reappearance at Chepstow because the ground went to quick. Was a good 2nd in March at Newbury behind Zain Nights. Should have more to offer but needs to recapture old form.

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16:40 Oddschecker Open National Hunt Flat Race (Category 1 Elimination) (Class 2)

5 star selection

Chicker

Made Bumper debut at Worcester at the end of August, ran in rear and picked up very well to comfortably win by 6 lengths beating Axel Bleue who won a bumper next time out at Newton Abbott and latterly finished a close 2nd on his first 2 hurdle starts. Has the form in the book compared to most here and clearly a horse with a big engine and could just be to good.

4 star selection

Le Beau Madrik

Comes from top team who do well in bumpers. French bred Related to One Big Bang who is rated 134 over hurdles. Made bumper debut in highly competitive class 2 being beaten 1 length by the Willie Mullins trained Emerald Poet and beat Kajikia easily who won first time out over hurdles. Interesting contender who is likely to be held up.

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