March 15 / 15.30 Cheltenham

15.30

Soft

Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £225080
  • 1m 7f 199y
  • Class 1
  • 7 runners
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Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

6/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.20
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 21-113 CD BF

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 175

Form & Verdict
Better than the bare result (almost 7l behind Editeur Du Gite and Edwardstone) in the rescheduled Clarence House having lost all momentum with a final-fence blunder, though was under pressure at the time and didn't show his usual brilliance; otherwise has an impressive record that includes a ready win in this race last year (soft) when admittedly helped by main rival Shishkin's flop; still has a great strike-rate (8-10) over over fences under rules, including four Grade 1 wins, and he's top of this field on peak ratings; latest effort sounds a note of caution but he's a leading player if back on song.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

28th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 98y

18:05 Punchestown

Energumene

11st 12lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Rolled back the years with a dominant win at Fairyhouse on latest, his first start at 2m4f for almost six years; won this in 2022 and 2023 but he's a 12yo now and Paul Townend prefers the chances of Il Etait Temps; probably vulnerable to younger legs dropped back in trip.

16/1

1st

1

6th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 3f 180y

16:20 Fairyhouse

Energumene

11st 10lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

High class operator in his pomp; has won eleven chases, including six at the top table; however, it seems like time is catching up with the 12yo and he was well held by Found A Fifty at Cork in December; tailed off at Leopardstown on latest in first-time cheekpieces (discarded); last ran at this trip in 2020; others preferred.

9/2

4th

1

1st Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 1f 0y

14:10 Leopardstown

Energumene

11st 12lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Top-class chaser won the Champion Chase in 2022-23 while he previously won a Grade 1 novice over C&D; returned after a long absence last season and wasn't at his best, but still capable of smart form; was third to Found A Fifty in a Cork Grade 2 on return but will have to improve a fair bit on that; does handle testing ground well; cheekpieces added.

8/1

33/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: 16-412 D

Last run: 78 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 159

Form & Verdict
Creditable third in the Arkle here (soft) two years ago; respectable second in major race at Leopardstown when last seen, though proved no match for the winner and took his Grade 1 record to 0-9; well behind Energumene the last time they met; towards the bottom of this pack on ratings and faces a tough task.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Captain Guinness

11st 10lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Henry De Bromhead

Has a good record (213) in the Champion Chase but is by no means certain to sustain it; proved a somewhat fortuitous winner of a weak edition two years ago (on soft ground) when the race fell apart and only three runners completed; far from solid on his form this term, below par in Grade 3 most recently, and returns to Cheltenham as an 11yo who may be on the wane; wears first-time headgear.

50/1

3rd

3

22nd Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 0f 0y

16:30 Naas

Captain Guinness

11st 1lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Six-time chase winner, the highlight being the 2024 Champion Chase (2m, soft); not at his best last season but signed off with a solid runner-up finish behind Marine Nationale at Punchestown (2m, yielding); pulled up on seasonal return in the Fortria at Navan (2m, soft to heavy) and tailed off at Leopardstown last time (2m1f, yielding); should be a player here but he's a risky proposition given his form although trainer reported him to be 'really coming to himself' in a recent stable tour.

13/8

2nd

1

29th Apr 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 98y

18:00 Punchestown

Captain Guinness

11st 12lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Henry De Bromhead

raced in second, challenging 2 out, no chance with winner from last, kept on

20/1

Form: 51-123 D BF

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 169

Form & Verdict
Got his season off to a great start by bagging a second success in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter (good); beaten 9l by Edwardstone when bidding for a second Tingle Creek win and failed to take advantage of what looked a good chance at the weights in the Game Spirit at Newbury (turned over at odds-on; about 4l behind Funambule Sivola) most recently; finished 2l fourth in this race in 2021 but appears unlikely to get so close this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

29th Apr 2023

Good

1m 7f 99y

Class 1

13:40 Sandown

Greaneteen

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Three-time Grade 1 winner over this C&D, including last two editions of this race; hasn't really sparkled since emphatic win at Exeter (2m1f, good; Grade 2 handicap) on seasonal debut in November but a bad jumping error probably cooked his goose in last month's Champion Chase and he can't be opposed with any confidence on his return to this track; handles slow ground but probably best on good/good to soft.

5/2

3rd

6

15th Mar 2023

Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

15:30 Cheltenham

Greaneteen

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, bad mistake and lost ground 4 out, well held but kept on from 2 out, pecked on landing last, pushed out and went modest third final 110yds

20/1

3rd

2

11th Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 92y

Class 1

15:00 Newbury

Greaneteen

11st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Bagged a second Haldon Gold Cup success (good ground) on reappearance, then ran respectably behind Edwardstone when bidding for a second Tingle Creek win; only third in this race two years ago having had an identical preparation, but he's clear on ratings in this easier renewal.

4/9

OUR TIP

Form: 4P-311 CD

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 166

Form & Verdict
Progressive front-running chaser; took advantage of Edwardstone's fifth-fence departure in Grade 2 at Kempton over Christmas, then rallied gamely to beat that rival by a head in the rescheduled Clarence House here last time; those two wins came on soft but he's versatile ground-wise; form figures at Cheltenham now read 11431; connections won this contest with Sire De Grugy, who had a similar preparation, in 2014; strong contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

1st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 78y

Class 2

14:40 Doncaster

Editeur Du Gite

10st 13lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Gary & Josh Moore

led, headed then prominent 5th, pressed leader before 4 out, weakened after 4 out

14/1

Form: 12-1U2 CD

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 170

Form & Verdict
Leading 2m novice chaser last term, the highlight his success in the Arkle here which is a race that has thrown up numerous Champion Chase winners; big performances in his two completed starts (unseated in between) this season, powering home in the Tingle Creek at Sandown on first occasion; shade unlucky in the rescheduled Clarence House here latest, having used up excessive energy from well off the pace to challenge Editeur Du Gite who had the reserves to rally close home (only a head between them at the finish); raced mostly on ground softer than good; an ideal candidate and commands major respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

25th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 99y

Class 1

14:55 Sandown

Edwardstone

11st 10lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Admirable veteran, albeit isn't quite the force of old and gained this season's win in substandard Grade 2 at Kempton (2m4f); also perhaps ideally suited by further than about 2m nowadays; beaten twice in this race.

33/1

3rd

1

6th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 219y

Class 2

14:35 Plumpton

Edwardstone

12st 0lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

12yo whose career highlight came when winning the Tingle Creek in 2022; showed he retains considerable spark when winning Grade 2 at Kempton (2m4f, good) this January; he may prefer a longer trip than this nowadays but he's a leading player nevertheless now back in a handicap.

5/2

4th

3

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 13y

Class 1

15:35 Ascot

Edwardstone

11st 10lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Acts on any ground; formerly a high-class chaser at about 2m, best form when winning the 2022 Tingle Creek; seems better suited by further nowadays and, despite his advancing years, managed to land a Grade 2 prize over 2m4f at Kempton most recently; recapturing Grade 1 honours at the age of 12 is not completely implausible, as he's technically still unexposed at this sort of trip and his two main rivals are also veterans.

10/1

Form: P-6451 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 157

Form & Verdict
Below par in races won by Edwardstone and Editeur Du Gite this term prior to bouncing back at Newbury (good) where he recorded a second success in the Game Spirit; creditable second in this contest 12 months ago, though was no match for Energumene and was helped by two other main players failing to complete; unlikely to repeat that result.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

13th Mar 2024

Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

15:30 Cheltenham

Funambule Sivola

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Outsider in this contest for the last two years, flattered when second in 2022 (race fell apart) and early faller in 2023; following Boothill's late fall, he inherited a remote second behind Edwardstone at Newbury last month when bidding for a third Game Spirit success; has the worst chance judged on this season's form.

100/1

2nd

3

10th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 0f 92y

Class 1

14:40 Newbury

Funambule Sivola

11st 8lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Has failed to threaten in handicaps on his four runs this season but was also below his best last term prior to a major revival when winning this race for the second consecutive year; four visits to Newbury have yielded three C&D wins (including on soft) and no surprise if he's bang there.

10/1

6th

1

27th Jan 2024

Good

2m 0f 78y

Class 2

11:50 Doncaster

Funambule Sivola

12st 0lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Venetia Williams

Landed this prize in 2022 and also has two subsequent Grade 2 chase wins on his CV; on the downgrade now but last month's Cheltenham third (2m, soft) was very respectable and today's faster ground will suit.

9/2

Form: 143-12 CD

Last run: 78 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 163

Form & Verdict
Withdrawn from this contest last year due to soft ground; an absence since December (when beaten by Editeur Du Gite at Kempton) is a positive as he goes well fresh; had a straightforward task over C&D (good) the time before, recording a second win in the Shloer; strong-finishing second in this race (good to soft) two years ago, looking a tad unlucky having stumbled on landing at the last fence and been forced to switch halfway up the run-in; however, needs a career-best performance to gain compensation this time round.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

27th Apr 2024

Good

1m 7f 99y

Class 1

15:00 Sandown

Nube Negra

11st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Three-time Grade 2 winner who has run pretty well in defeat in Grade 2 and Grade 1 races the last twice; however, he would be a surprise winner today; wears first-time cheekpieces.

50/1

5th

7

27th Apr 2024

Good

1m 7f 99y

Class 1

15:00 Sandown

Nube Negra

11st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Three-time Grade 2 winner who has run pretty well in defeat in Grade 2 and Grade 1 races the last twice; however, he would be a surprise winner today; wears first-time cheekpieces.

50/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £15.20
Straight Forecast £13.96
Trifecta £117.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Edwardstone

RP Ratings:

Energumene

WEST COUNTRY:

Greaneteen

TOPSPEED:

Edwardstone

The Times:

Edwardstone

Daily Mail:

Edwardstone

Daily Mirror:

Edwardstone

The Sun:

Edwardstone

The Star:

Edwardstone

Daily Record:

Edwardstone

POSTDATA:

Energumene

Telegraph:

Energumene

The Guardian:

Energumene

D Express:

Energumene