RSA Chase – Cheltenham 2017 Day 2 Tips

The ground is going to be a key factor at the Cheltenham Festival this year and if it is on the slow side of good or softer, certain horses will really relish it and one of those is Acapella Bourgeois.

Hughes’ Hero
Sandra Hughes’ stable star is one of the most interesting horses in training and he’s definitely not getting the credit he deserves for his Navan victory last time. He’s a 7/1 shot for the RSA.

There was certainly an element of the jockeys letting Roger Loughran off a bit at the start in Navan but the reality is, had they followed him, Acapella Bourgeois would have still blown them away judging by the sectionals so this was just a top class performance from a very talented racehorse. And it shouldn’t be a massive surprise.

The seven-year-old went off at 7/2 on the day and has got some good form. He impressed winning his Beginners’ Chase at Navan and held some very good company last season, just going down by five lengths at the Punchestown Festival in Grade One company.

There can be no doubt that the horse has grown up a lot in recent months and he looks a more straightforward ride.

Big Chance
The only concern here would be that a keen front-runner like this is naturally hard on himself in races and whether Acapella Bourgeois can continue this style of racing and go all the way to the top remains to be seen but he can certainly have a big say in the RSA.

Imagine he jumps out in front and can keep galloping up the hill next Wednesday. He’ll break the hearts of those trying to catch him and what a moment it would be for Roger Loughran and Sandra Hughes, two people that nobody would begrudge such a winner. In an open enough renewal, I think there will be much worse bets next week.

No Bite In Might
Might Bite took a terrible fall at Kempton at Christmas but rectified that since with a confidence booster that was no more than a schooling session at Doncaster. Just reading between the lines, backers of this favourite might like to hear more bullish comments from Nicky Henderson who has pointed at some concerns about how this son of Scorpion will handle Cheltenham.

Whisper is 8/1 with BoyleSports and has course form which can be vital and Davy Russell’s Cheltenham record is incredible so he’ll be popular.

But, many big winners have emerged from the Hughes’ Osborne Lodge and what a moment it would be if Sandra could join her legendary father Dessie on the list of successful trainers at the Cheltenham Festival with Acapella Bourgeois.

Recommended Bet:
Acapella Bourgeois (7/1)

*Prices correct at time of publication