Cheltenham Festival

Cheltenham Festival Day 2 Lucky 15 Tips: Irish Hit Back In Prestbury Cup Battle

3 hours ago

| BY Steve Mullington

William Hill’s horse racing tipster Steve Mullington casts his eye over Wednesday’s action at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival, forming a Lucky 15 from four of his best selections for Day 2.

With two winners and two placed horses landing on Day 1, our tipster looks to emulate that success on the second day of the meeting.

Cheltenham Day 2 Lucky 15 Tips

No Drama This End – Turners Novices Hurdle
Koktail Divin – Brown Advisory Novices Chase
The Yellow Clay – Cup Handicap Hurdle
Favori De Champdou – Cross Country Chase

Scroll down for Steve’s musings on each selection, starting with Paul Nicholls’ red hot favourite in the opening contest on Wednesday afternoon.

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1.20pm – No Drama This End

NO DRAMA THIS END took a nosedive in the ante-post betting after registering another victory in the Challow Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury over the festive period.

The Paul Nicholls-trained grey went off at odds-on under Harry Cobden, coming into the Grade One with two-from-two Grade Two victories to his name.

The strong galloper was prominent throughout and was still on the bridle in the closing stages of the race, going on to beat Klimt Madrik by a length and a quarter. A repeat of that performance would see him take this Grade 1.

2.00pm – Koktail Divin

The Barry Maloney-owned KOKTAIL DIVIN finished second to subsequent dual Grade 1 winner Romeo Coolio on debut before chasing home Oscar’s Brother in a Grade 2 on his second start, before things fell right into place in a beginners’ chase when his sound jumping led him to run out a 21-length victor.

He’s a solid each-way play in this contest.

2.40pm – The Yellow Clay

Bective Stud-owned THE YELLOW CLAY was only beaten ¾ of a length by The New Lion at the 2025 Festival, and that horse is now the market leader in the Champion Hurdle, so you have to give this six-year-old some sort of a leading chance in a handicap event such as this.

3.20pm – Favori De Champdou

Gordon Elliott now has a new star in this division in the shape of FAVORI DE CHAMPDOU who ran out a decisive winner of the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase here in January. He can put it up to the favourite Stumptown.