Cheltenham Festival Day 2 Lucky 15 Tips: 'A big effort from Koktail Divin is anticipated'

Cheltenham Festival Day 2 Lucky15 Tips

• No Drama This End — Turners Novices' Hurdle @ 5/1
• Koktail Divin — Brown Advisory Novices' Chase @ 8/1
• Il Etait Temps — Queen Mother Champion Chase @ 5/1
• Be Aware - Johnny Henderson Grand Annual @ 6/1

No Drama This End — Turners Novices' Hurdle

The opening contest is a big one for Paul Nicholls as he puts the hitherto unbeaten No Drama This End into the heat of battle in the Turners Novices' Hurdle.

This is a race Nicholls has experienced more than his fair share of heartache in, stretching back to seeing Denman denied in 2006.

The opening contest is a big one for Paul Nicholls as he puts the hitherto unbeaten No Drama This End into the heat of battle in the Turners Novices' Hurdle. This is a race Nicholls has experienced more than his fair share of heartache in, stretching back to seeing Denman denied in 2006.

Enda McElhinney

The Ditcheat supremo has made favourable comparisons between The Tank and this Walk In The Park gelding and he could be on the money. The poor record of Challow winners coming here was busted when The New Lion won 12 months ago and No Drama This End can emulate him.

The Irish challenge is strong and has depth. I'll Sort That Ballyfad King Rasko Grey Skylight Hustle and Sober are testament to that, but Harry Cobden's partner could travel best of all throughout and pick them off up the Cheltenham hill.

Koktail Divin — Brown Advisory Novices' Chase

Given that The Big Westerner was touted for this since Christmas, it has got to be noted that Darragh O'Keeffe instead partners Koktail Divin for Henry de Bromhead.

He races in the Minella Indo colours of Barry Moloney and after successive runner-up finishes at Down Royal and Punchestown behind Romeo Coolio and Oscars Brother he wiped the floor with a good field in a Leopardstown beginners' chase at Christmas over 2m5½f.

He meets Romeo Coolio again, but that rival had an incredibly hard race at the Dublin Racing Festival and it could leave a mark. Final Demand bombed out at that meeting behind Kaid D'Authie and Kitzbuhel was ill at ease before falling in the Scilly Isles at Sandown in January. Wendigo and Western Fold are players, too, but de Bromhead's team come to life at this meeting and a big effort from Koktail Divin is anticipated.

Il Etait Temps — Queen Mother Champion Chase

Majborough tops the betting here, but his jumping still has to be taken on a degree of trust. He faced five rivals at Leopardstown last time and was allowed to dictate; his nine Champion Chase foes surely won't allow things to transpire in his comfort zone. Il Etait Temps is 0-3 at the Cheltenham Festival, but dig deeper and he's run good races. He has improved with age and his Tingle Creek win this season was a career-best.

The Clarence House at Ascot in January is best banished from the record as he was never going with enthusiasm and looked tired when he fell, that race coming at a time when Willie Mullins' string were below their brilliant best. Forgive that run and his claims here would be very strong.

Be Aware - Johnny Henderson Grand Annual

Over the same course and distance as the Champion Chase, the Grand Annual will be fast and frantic too.

Cases can be made for a good few, but Dan Skelton's Be Aware could be nicely handicapped off a mark of 147.

He won at Stratford in October and has been second in each of three starts since, including behind Lulamba in the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown in December.

A tactical three-runner Windsor Grade 2 in January didn't suit; he was keen early on and found No Questions Asked a tough nut to crack going down a length.

He was second in an Arkle Trial here in November and filled the same berth in the 2024 Greatwood Hurdle, while he ran well for a long way in the Coral Cup last March. He brings a good case to the table and clearly likes this place.