Diarmuid Nolan's 66/1 Daily Double From Day Two Of The Cheltenham Festival
Day One is now behind us and what a day it was. The Festival is well and truly up and running, and Day Two serves up another top-class card that is every bit as mouthwatering as the opener.
The quality does not drop - if anything, it intensifies.
As always, this article will focus on my daily double, with some additional notes on the rest of the card below.
Today's double comes in at 66/1 on horse racing betting sites, and again I would recommend an each-way approach.
Leg One: Act Of Innocence 13.20 Cheltenham (Turners Novices' Hurdle)
This is a horse which actually went into this season carrying a bigger reputation than Old Park Star, which won the Supreme as 15/8 favourite.
That tells you everything you need to know about the regard in which Act Of Innocence is held by those who know him best.
His first run of the season was excellent, and then came the defeat to Minella Yoga, a result that seemed to cause many to write him off entirely.
But, look a little closer. Act Of Innocence was giving that horse 20lb that day. That is an enormous weight concession at this level, and the result should have done nothing to dent confidence in his ability whatsoever.
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Last time out at Huntingdon, he ran in a race that his trainer has frequently used as a stepping stone for his better horses, with Shishkin being the most notable example.
Act Of Innocence won it well and gave every impression that this trip will be absolutely fine.
As for the opposition, I think the Irish market leaders all have their flaws. King Rasko Grey had things go his own way last time yet he didn’t get the job done and may not get the same favours here.
Sober has beaten very little of note, and Ballyfad has a tendency to hang/jump right, not ideal around a left-handed track like Cheltenham. I am happy to side with Act Of Innocence at the price.
Diarmuid Nolan's Daily Double: Cheltenham Day 2 (Wednesday)
- 13.20 Cheltenham - Act Of Innocence @ 13/2 With Bet365
- 14.40 Cheltenham - The Yellow Clay @ 8/1 With Bet365
(Odds correct at time of publishing 4.30pm 10/03/26)
Leg Two: The Yellow Clay 14.40 Cheltenham (BetMGM Cup)
There is a very compelling case for The Yellow Clay here, and I want to lay it out clearly.
Start with the handicap mark. He runs off 155, but with the brilliant Michael Kenneally claiming 5lb, he effectively runs off 150, and horses regularly win this race off that kind of mark. What makes that figure truly interesting, however, is the ability that sits beneath it.
The Yellow Clay is not a typical exposed handicapper. He is a Grade 1 winner, having powered clear by eight lengths in the Lawlor's of Naas Novice Hurdle over 2m4f.
That kind of raw ability is rare in this field, and it raises a serious question: is his handicap mark anywhere near high enough to contain him? I do not think it is.
The trip is another big tick. The BetMGM Cup is run over around 2m5f, which looks ideal. His best performance came at 2m4f, and he was finishing strongly that day and stamina is clearly a weapon.
That profile suggests he can sit handy and simply outstay speedier rivals up the Cheltenham hill, which is exactly the type of horse that wins this race.
His overall record also stands out. Across 13 career runs he has won six times and been placed on three further occasions, a win rate of around 46%, which is exceptional for a hurdler heading into a big handicap. Horses with that profile are usually still on the upgrade rather than fully found out.
At seven years old, The Yellow Clay also fits the age profile of a typical winner perfectly. This is a race that tends to be won by horses aged six to eight who are still physically developing. Everything points in the right direction. 8/1 could be very big.
Other Horses To Watch On Wednesday
This is one of the most brutally difficult cards of the entire Festival, so tread carefully.
I am going to stick with The Big Westerner in the Brown Advisory, probably more out of stubbornness than anything else at this point, but I am not moving!
In the BetMGM Cup, I am keen to take on Majborough with both The Irish Panther and Quilixios, as the market may be underestimating both.
My most confident selection of the day, however, is Favori De Champdou in the Cross Country. This would be my standout pick for a winner on the entire card.
He has the class, the experience, and I fully expect him to get the job done.
Will you be backing Diarmuid's double? Do you have one of your own? Tell us about it in the comment box below!
