Cheltenham Festival 2023 LIVE RESULTS: Templegate's Tips, racecards, FREE bet, odds and LATEST Gold Cup declarations

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL is continuing in exciting fashion this week, and we have all the top tips and updates right here looking ahead to day two.

The huge week kicked off in some style with Constitution Hill's dominant victory in the Champion Hurdle.

250,000 punters are pouring into Prestbury Park to watch the greatest equine talent on the planet strut their stuff.

Here, Sun Racing will bring you all you need to know as it happens - and check out our top free bets while you're here too.

Follow ALL of the latest from Prestbury Park below...

• Both backed

  There's been money for both the market rivals in today's Champion Chase.

  Energumene is into 11-8 and leads the way as favourite.

  Edwardstone is 13-8 from 7-4.

• Build your balance

  Bet UK are offering new customers a sensational £60 in free bets and bonuses to celebrate the Cheltenham Festival starting today.

  Simply visit the Bet UK website using the links below, and you can claim this spectacular welcome bonus by staking a £20 bet on any sporting event!

  All the details are HERE

• Queens of the turf

  Honeysuckle signed off with a memorable win in the Mares' Hurdle yesterday.

  And Blackmore described the win as a 'fairytale way to end' when speaking to Betfair.

  She said: “She’s great - what a day we had yesterday. It’s just brilliant, a fairytale way for her to end. 

  “To come back into that reception was incredible. She has given me such incredible days throughout my whole career, but yesterday was so, so special.

  “She traveled really well throughout the race and jumped really well. Coming down to the last, I knew she would pick up a little bit but you're never really sure how much until you land after it. 

  “It was a lovely feeling when I was about halfway to the line, I knew we were getting on top of Love Envoi, who equally ran an unbelievable race. It was just a fantastic race.”

• Out in force

  Willie Mullins could have a good day today.

  With the favourite in the first and the feature - and a staggering 10 runners in the bumper later - he could kick on in the top trainer race.

  Here's a snapshot of some of his runners out on the gallops this morning.

• Market movers

  The horses being best backed this morning, revealed by Matt Chapman on this morning's Opening Show.

  1.30 Gaelic Warrior

  11-2 from 8-1

  1.30 Hermes Allen

  3-1 from 5-1

  2.10 Gerri Colombe

  11-8 from 13-8

  2.10 Sir Gerhard

  9-2 from 11-2

  2.50 Captain Conby

  8-1 from 11-1

• GOLD CUP DECLARATIONS

  Thirteen runners have been declared to run in the Cheltenham showpiece on Friday.

  They are:

  • Ahoy Senor -  Derek Fox 
  • A Plus Tard - Rachael Blackmore
  • Bravemansgame - Harry Cobden
  • Conflated - jockey yet to be announced
  • Eldorado Allen - Brendan Powell
  • Galopin Des Champs - Paul Townend
  • Hewick - Jordan Gainford
  • Minella Indo - Mark Walsh 
  • Noble Yeats - Sean Bowen
  • Protektorat - Harry Skelton
  • Royale Pagaille - Charlie Deutsch
  • Sounds Russian - Sean Quinlan
  • Stattler - jockey yet to be announced

• Stone solid

  Oli Bell and Ed Chamberlin are both in agreement for today's Champion Chase.

  Speaking to Sky Bet, they both fancy Edwardstone to come out on top.

  Oli Bell said: “Last year's Arkle winner should reverse the form with Editer Du Gite and I didn’t love Energumene last time out.” 

  Ed Chamberlin: Will be ridden differently than the Clarence House and looks rock solid.” 

• Plenty of punts

  Cheltenham fever is gripping the UK - and as the Gold Cup approaches, a major YouGov survey has revealed one in ten British punters are gambling more on the event this year than they have done before.

  The study, in conjunction with Online Betting Guide OLBG, has found that the lure of the big occasion has led to punters to saving up ready to take their chances at the Festival in the knowledge that there might be some good value out there for them.

  Of those who bet on Cheltenham races in 2022, 11% of respondents said they are planning to spend more than 2022.

  That ratio more than doubles in London, where one in four (26%) are planning to spend more, while in Northern Ireland, that figure stands at 12% compared to the Midlands where that figure drops to just 3%.

• Looking ahead

  We're still a little bit away from the day two Cheltenham roar.

  But it's a hotly anticipated Ballymore to look forward to and a tough one to confidently dissect.

  Here's the latest Betfair odds:

  • Impaire Et Passe 15/8
  • Hermes Allen 3/1
  • Good Land 9/2
  • Gaelic Warrior 11/2
  • Champ Kiely 15/2
  • Ho My Lord 25/1
  • American Mike 33/1
  • Marble Sands 100/1
  • Persian Time 100/1
  • Master Chewy 125/1

• Tough old game

  Picking a winner is a big achievement, particularly on a day like today.

  But what about being a jockey?

  A recent survey on behalf of MyBettingSites has revealed almost half of sports fans back their ability to competitively play with professional footballers. 

  Of 1,539 sports fans asked, 43% said they can competitively take part in football amongst professionals, rising to 56% of Irish respondents and falling to 37% for those in the UK.

  There was little to split male and female respondents with 44% of men and 42% of women saying they can professionally compete in football.

  Horse racing was ranked as one of the hardest sports with just 7% of sports fans saying that they could compete with professional jockeys ahead of the Cheltenham Festival.

  This figure, however, rises for Irish respondents to 12% while only 5% of UK sports fans think they could compete in the saddle.

• Prestbury Cup

  It was a day to follow the Irish yesterday as they ran out 5-2 winners on day one.

  Gaillard Du Mesnil's win at in the last making it a convincing day for those across the Irish Sea.

  And they could quite easily pick up seven today.

• Huge faith

  Former Gold Cup winner Robbie Power reckons one of the Irish bankers of the WEEK comes today.

  He's all in on Gerri Colombe to win the Brown Advisory.

  He told BoyleSports: "I think Gerri Colombe is one of the Irish bankers of the week. I think stepping up to three miles will bring more improvement, the ground should be ideal for him so I’m very sweet on Gerri Colombe.

  "I think the big danger could be from Sir Gerhard. Stepping up in trip to three miles could improve his jumping, he is a very classy horse. I just think Gerri Colombe could be a horse en route to a Gold Cup in 12 months time."

• Non runners

  There's a couple of non runners to note today.

  Amirite is out of the 2.10.

  While one of the outsiders Dancing On My Own is out of the Grand Annual at 4.50.

• How we looked

  A chilly morning as we reported earlier.

  It's a good job the covers were down in some areas!

  A clear sky at sunrise - the rain clouds are on their way though!

• Recap - our tips today

  Sun Racing takes on Champion Chase day at Cheltenham Festival.. Here’s what we reckon…

  1.30 GOOD LAND

  He won well at Leopardstown last time at Grade 1 level when jumping brilliantly. He’s right in the mix for trainer Barry Connell.

  2.10 ADAMANTLY CHOSEN (longshot)

  Put in a good effort behind Mighty Potter at the Dublin Racing Festival and will be happy over this longer distance.

  2.50 RUN FOR OSCAR

  Won the Cesarewitch on the Flat so has plenty of zip and was a good third the last time he went over hurdles.

  3.30 FUNAMBULE SIVOLA

  Second in this race 12 months ago and ran his best race since then when winning at Newbury last time out.

  4.10 BACK ON THE LASH

  Has a good record at this track and beat Delta Work in a handicap here last time. Even at level weights he should be thereabouts.

  4.50 GLOBAL CITIZEN

  Won this 12 months ago and has been plotted for this contest ever since he crossed the line. Has been warming up over hurdles and carries a fair weight.

  5.30 BETTER DAYS AHEAD

  Won eased down for Gordon Elliott at Fairyhouse last time and has top amateur jockey Jamie Codd in the saddle.

• How yesterday panned out

  Here’s the winners from Tuesday.

  • 1.30 Marine Nationale 9/2
  • 2.10 El Fabiolo 11/10f
  • 2.50 Corach Rambler 6/1jf
  • 3.30 Constitution Hill 4/11f
  • 4.10 Honeysuckle 9/4jf
  • 4.50 Jazzy Matty 18/1
  • 5.30 Gaillard Du Mesnil 10/11f

• Templegate's tips

  Here's who our man is backing on day two.

  1.30     Champ Kiely    

  Impressive win at Naas and a lot more to come.

  2.10     The Real Whacker (nap)         

  Got the job done well here last time and can improve.

  2.50     Fil Dor 

  Triumph Hurdle second and can shine at handicap level.

  3.30     Edwardstone (nb)       

  Arkle winner who can see off El Fabiolo.

  4.10     Delta Work      

  Won this last year and can repeat the feat.

  4.50     Andy Dufresne            

  Just pipped in this 12 months ago and big chance again.

  5.30     A Dream To Share (treble)      

  Has been blistering so far and the one to beat.

• Guin and bear it

  Cheltenham Festival is in full swing but punters got a surprise yesterday as a pint of Guinness was priced at £20, writes KEALAN HUGHES.

  It is believed 220,000 pints of the Irish stout will be drunk over the course of the four-day event.

  And horse racing fanatics have an opportunity to try a limited edition version of the beer, courtesy of bookmakers Fitzdares.

  They have brewed a special 50-50 Guinness which is half stout, half English sparkling wine.

  And it will cost an eye-watering £20, making it the world’s most expensive Guinness.

  The Club Black Velvet was produced as a tongue-in-cheek rib at punters complaining the price of Guinness at Cheltenham was too high, claims Fitzdares CEO William Woodham.

  He said: “Isn’t it the perfect way to celebrate free trade between our two great nations and the Windsor protocol? The Irish visitors to Cheltenham can afford it with their strong currency. Yours for £20.”

  Elsewhere around the grounds Guinness can be found for a more affordable £7.50.

  Punters will even have an opportunity to pour their own pints at select bars.

• Going update

  It's chilly at Cheltenham currently! There was a low of -2.6C overnight and it's just beginning to get above freezing now.

  A heavier band of rain is moving in this afternoon with the potential of 5-7mm in the forecast.

  The going is currently soft.

  The cross country chase at 4.10 is run over its own track and that is currently soft, good to soft.

  Those who were on Tiger Roll in that race last year will remember Delta Work just pipping him late on in the mud.

  It could be similar conditions today if the downpour arrives.

  Two Gordon Elliott runners head the market again, as Delta Work will look to defend his crown against Galvin.

• Market move for Hermes Allen!

  The Paul Nicholls runner is being backed in the Ballymore.

  He was 9-2 overnight but is now into 7-2 behind 15-8 fav Impaire Et Passe.

  Can he do the business for owner Sir Alex Ferguson?

• Honeysuckle a 'credit to everyone'

  Mares' Hurdle winner Honeysuckle was labelled a "credit to everyone" after bowing out of racing with her 17th victory in 19 races.

  A fourth straight win at the Festival under Rachael Blackmore sandwiched her two Champion Hurdle successes.

  Blackmore said: "He's unbelievable, the way Henry (de Bromhead) has produced her every day is phenomenal.

  "She's just a phenomenal mare and has been amazing for my career.

  "She's just a credit to everyone. Kenny (Alexander, owner) is one of the coolest owners you'll ever ride for."

  Honeysuckle beat 11-1 long-time leader Love Envoi by a length and a half, taking her career earnings past £1.4million.

• Gold Cup decs...

  OK so a few of the horses are being jocked up ahead of the 10am deadline.

  So far we know these horses will be ridden by these jockeys.

  Bravemansgame
  Harry Cobden

  Ahoy Senor
  Derek Fox

  Eldorado Allen
  Brendan Powell

  Noble Yeats
  Sean Bowen

  Protektorat
  Harry Skelton

  Sounds Russian
  Sean Quinlan

  Jockeys are still officially to be named for the big guns but we can be 99.9 per cent sure of the following…

  Galopin Des Champs
  Paul Townend

  A Plus Tard
  Rachael Blackmore

  Royale Pagaille (if he runs)
  Charlie Deutsch

• Ruby Walsh’s tips for today

  Here are today's predicted winners from legendary ex-Irish jockey Ruby Walsh, via Paddy Power.

  13.30 – Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle: Impaire Et Passe

  14.10 – Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase: Gerri Colombe

  14.50 – Coral Cup Hurdle: Captain Conby each-way

  15.30 – Champion Chase: Edwardstone

  16.10 – Cross Country Chase: Delta Work. Franco De Port each-way as well

  17.30 – Champion Bumper: Fact To File

• 'Fergie wouldn't let Utd stars go to Festival'

  Sir Alex Ferguson is hoping to land the £625,000 Gold Cup at Cheltenham this week, but the legend would drop Manchester United players who went to the famous Festival during his time as manager.

  Ex-Red Devils defender Gary Pallister told Cheltenham Odds: “My favourite memories of Fergie and horse racing is that if he found out you’ve been to Cheltenham Festival, he’d drop you! 

  “He wasn’t into Cheltenham racing then. He didn’t play golf and he didn’t like horse racing. Now he loves his golf and his horse racing and owns horses.

  “Back in the day, he wasn’t OK with the lads going off for a day at the races, but that’s all changed and he’s obviously been involved for quite a while now with his good friends from Manchester and had some good success there.

  “Sir Alex wouldn’t allow us to go to Cheltenham. That’s right in the middle of the season when it’s getting to the tickly bit. Cheltenham Festival week no chance. There was every chance we’d be playing in the middle of the week anyway so that was never on the agenda.

  “The ones we used to go to were at the end of the season at Chester when the season was done. It was always a good day out for the lads if we’d won something that season.”

• Fergie dreams of another Treble

  Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson is running three horses at the Cheltenham Festival this year.

  Protektorat will be watched keenly by Ferguson as he runs in the Gold Cup on Friday at 3.30pm.

  The legendary manager also has Hermes Allen competing in Wednesday’s Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at 1.30pm.

  And Hitman will run in the Ryanair Chase on Thursday at 2.50pm.