Queen Mother Champion Chase Guide 2023

Nube Negra returns after a 78-day break following finishing second behind Editeur Du Gite in the Desert Orchid Chase in December for Dan Skelton’s shot at Champion Chase glory.

Has performed well over fences for Skelton, with five wins over the larger obstacles since being sent chasing in 2019.

Has won here before in a grade two chase and possesses good form at this course, winning the Shloer Chase twice and finishing second in this contest in 2021.

Shouldn’t be dismissed in what looks a more open race than we’d have thought 12 months ago after Energumene’s success.

Very good chaser for Paul Nicholls who has won eight chases in his career, including successes at Exeter, Sandown and Ascot.

His most recent victory came in the Grade Two Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter in November last year, beating stablemate Dolos by seven lengths before coming second in the Tingle Creek at Sandown behind Edwardstone in December.

Most recently disappointed in the Grade Two Game Spirit Chase at Newbury last month, finishing third as Funambule Sivola claimed victory.

Harry Cobden rides here for Nicholls in the hope of causing an upset, with his price sitting around 25/1 currently but it looks unlikely.

Experienced nine-year-old gelding for Willie Mullins who won this race last year comfortably by eight and a half lengths to second-place Funambule Social after 5/6 fav Shishkin was pulled up.

Bids for a second Cheltenham Festival success here after finishing third in the Clarence House Chase behind Edwardstone and Editeur Du Gite, making a blunder at the last fence in the hunt for victory.

If he’s back to his best here, he will have every chance of winning this contest for the second time but punters seem ready to take him on with the likes of Edwardstone and Editeur Du Gite after the last race between these three.

Third runner in this contest who ran in the Clarence House Chase in January, beating rivals Edwardstone and Energumene to claim his first grade one success of his career.

That followed a victory in the Grade Two Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton in December, where he beat fellow runner Nube Negra by 13 lengths.

Comes into this as third favourite following that Clarence House Chase victory but could easily go again and beat his rivals again here if following that run up.

Top class chaser for Alan King who arrives here in the Champion Chase as the current market favourite following his second-place finish in the Clarence House Chase ahead of Energumene, finishing a head behind surprise winner Editeur Du Gite.

Unseated his rider at Kempton in December after winning the Tingle Creek at Sandown by a clear nine lengths ahead of Greaneteen.

The nine-year-old impressively won the Arkle last year at the festival, beating Gabynako by four lengths and has a big chance of winning a second Cheltenham Festival race in this one for King and Tom Cannon.

Experienced eight-year-old for Venetia Williams who won seven races over fences during his career. Most recently scored at Newbury in a grade two chase over 2m, with fellow runner Greaneteen back in third.

Was fifth in the Clarence House Chase and second behind Energumene in last year’s Champion Chase, when priced at 40/1.

He’s yet to win at Cheltenham and doesn’t have the best record here apart from that second and it would be very difficult for him to beat some of the others in this contest.

The outsider of the race is Captain Guinness, who is priced at around 50/1 to win here after finishing second in the Grade One Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase at Leopardstown in December, 11 lengths behind Blue Lord. That followed a grade two victory at Navan in November after two average runs at Aintree and Punchestown.

Boasts quite a few graded victories in his career and despite being off 78 days, doesn’t look like bad value here.

50/1 is a decent price and if he could nab a place, it would secure some decent each-way money. It will be difficult but those graded wins shouldn’t be taken too lightly.