Confirmations for day two of the Cheltenham Festival: the key questions answered

The Cheltenham Festival puzzle is becoming clearer each day and confirmations for Wednesday's card, featuring the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (3.30), were revealed on Thursday. So what more do we know regarding the big names following Thursday's news? Read on to find out . . .

Is the Ballymore picture any clearer?

In short, no. While Hermes Allen seems all but certain to run here, there were few clues offered up by Willie Mullins as to where his star novice hurdlers will appear. Impaire Et Passe, Gaelic Warrior, Champ Kiely, Il Etait Temps and Facile Vega are all legitimate contenders and were confirmed for the race. Supreme contender High Definition, trained by Joseph O'Brien, was not confirmed, while outsider In Excess was also taken out.

There were some clues, however. An omission of You Wear It Well all but confirms her place in the Mares' Novice Hurdle, while Tahmuras absence means he will line up, as expected, in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

Is The Real Whacker still in the Brown Advisory?

Yes. Trainer Patrick Neville has still yet to confirm whether this or an ambitious tilt at the Gold Cup would be the target, but backers of the high-class novice chaser would have been relieved to see him among the remaining runners.

The indication that this remains an option prompted bookmakers to shorten him to 4-1 (from 9-2) and he is among the leading contenders, having won impressively on his two chasing starts at Cheltenham this season. He is available at 66-1 for the Gold Cup.

Willie Mullins' likely hand here was not made much clearer with Gaillard Du Mesnil and Sir Gerhard confirmed, despite having options elsewhere, while Turners Novices' Chase favourite Mighty Potter was also put forward. His trainer has the Brown Advisory market leader Gerri Colombe.

What will Willie Mullins' Champion Chase team look like?

Defending champion Energumene was one of three Willie Mullins-trained runners confirmed for the Queen Mother Champion Chase (3.30) on Thursday. The eight-year-old is likely to be the yard's main hope once again, but Gentleman De Mee and Blue Lord could also line up against him, although Chacun Pour Soi was scratched.

Blue Lord's confirmation is particularly interesting given he holds an entry in the Ryanair, and his odds of 5-1 for that contest are significantly shorter than his price for the Champion Chase. The presence of Gentleman De Mee may ensure a good pace in the race as he made all to win the Dublin Chase in fine style last time out.

Which horse will carry top weight in the handicaps?

Zanahiyr's defection from the Coral Cup (2.50) has caused the weights to rise 5lb, but with two entries rated 152 – Winter Fog and Saint Sam now share 12st burden – and three horses rated 151, the weights are almost certain to be pinned north of 150. A maximum field of 26 means The Very Man, on 139, is the last horse guaranteed a run. Ante-post favourite Camprond, a gallant fourth last year when the heavens opened and the ground went against him, needs three to come out to get into the field.

As for the Grand Annual (4.50), two leading contenders in 8-1 shots Aucunrisque and Saint Roi were taken out, but Andy Dufresne remains at the top of the weights. Gordon Elliott's 155-rated nine-year-old was second last year off the same mark and has no other entries, so looks set to carry top weight. A maximum field of 20 means Henry de Bromhead's mare Maskada is the last entry guaranteed a run. The 6-1 favourite Dinoblue would need three to come out, last year's winner Global Citizen is one below her, while backers of 11-1 shot Unexpected Party (30) and 14-1 shot Saint Segal (28) face a more anxious wait as they require ten and eight to come out respectively.

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