Cheltenham Festival Horse Racing: Kevin Blake Backs 66/1 Zeus Power to Kick Off Day Two
cheltenham festival horse racing saw Kevin Blake name a 66/1 fancy for the Turners’ Novices’ Hurdle in his column on Tuesday ahead of Wednesday’s card at Cheltenham Racecourse in Gloucestershire. Blake singled out the Joseph O’Brien-trained Zeus Power as his biggest-priced selection as day two opened, while also flagging other high-profile entries on the afternoon’s programme. He set out his reasoning around competitive fields, recent rule changes and visible improvement from the horse over hurdles.
Cheltenham Festival Horse Racing: Blake’s 66/1 Pick and Why It Matters
Kevin Blake’s column opens day two by highlighting Zeus Power as a colossal-priced contender in the Turners’ Novices’ Hurdle (1: 20 PM ET). Blake notes that changes to handicap rules that require five runs over hurdles have pushed some improving horses into Grade 1 novice contests, creating opportunities for large-priced hopefuls. He points to Zeus Power’s clear progression since being switched to obstacles — including a dominant maiden win at Thurles and a gutsy success at Navan where the son of Protectionist saw off a well-regarded rival — as evidence the gelding could still improve into the mix despite the steep step up in class.
Backing moves and other big selections
Blake also highlighted the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (2: 00 PM ET) as a wide-open Grade 1 contest and named the Willie Mullins-trained Kaid D’Authie as an overpriced runner with genuine claims. He underlined the gelding’s scope over fences and argued that a sounder surface should not be a concern. Across the card, form expert Ben Linfoot offered a separate set of pointers for day two, listing five selections: Shuttle Diplomacy (1: 20 PM ET) each-way at 25/1, Kaid d’Authie (2: 00 PM ET) at 7/1, Jingko Blue (2: 40 PM ET) at 10/1, L’eau Du Sud (4: 00 PM ET) at 5/1 and Inthepocket (4: 40 PM ET) at 8/1. Linfoot described L’eau Du Sud as coming into the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase in strong order and highlighted the horse’s pattern of thriving after breaks.
Immediate reactions and quoted assessments
Kevin Blake, columnist, wrote: “The Cheltenham Festival is always a pleasure no matter what, but isn’t it great to see such big fields and competitive races at the meeting this year?” He used that competitiveness to justify backing a big-priced novice in a Grade 1. Ben Linfoot, form expert, urged caution and balance in the two-mile championship division but expressed faith in L’eau Du Sud’s preparation: “L’eau Du Sud was in superb shape that day and while he was below form at Sandown three weeks later that run is easily excused on the back of the relatively short turnaround. ” Both commentators emphasise form and recent runs as the basis for their picks rather than favouritism alone.
Blake’s combination of a long-shot novice and a couple of confident older contenders frames day two as a card where price and form collide, offering punters sharply different profiles to consider.
What’s next — the rest of the day and immediate watchpoints
Wednesday’s card will progress through key tests that Blake and Linfoot have spotlighted: the Turners’ Novices’ Hurdle at 1: 20 PM ET, the Brown Advisory at 2: 00 PM ET and the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase at 4: 00 PM ET. Attention will fall on whether Zeus Power can translate juvenile improvement into a Grade 1 challenge, whether Kaid D’Authie can confirm the step forward seen at the Dublin meeting, and whether L’eau Du Sud can find the peak form his backers expect coming off a break. Racegoers and connections will also be watching how the big fields and race shape play into those assessments.
Expect further analysis and tactical moves through Wednesday afternoon as trainers and jockeys respond to the race-day picture; the unfolding action will determine whether Blake’s 66/1 bold call and Linfoot’s selections pay off in the intensely competitive world of cheltenham festival horse racing.
