Grade One Ladbrokes Champion Chase Guide 2022

Harry Haskell | @HarryHaskell4

Down Royal - November 05 2022
Down Royal 14:32
5
Paul Townend

Kemboy

J: Paul Townend
T: W P Mullins
N/A
Age: 10
Weight: 11-10
OR: 158
Days: 35

Kemboy is a lovely horse who’s still thriving at the age of 10. He’ll be 11 next year so there’s a suspicion there aren’t too many more miles on the clock, so he’ll be looking to take a few nice prizes on the way.

He’s off the back of two seconds at Listowel, and Gowran Park respectively. He was beaten over two and a half miles at Gowran Park by the speedy Easy Game, where the race developed into somewhat of a dash.

Kemboy ought to appreciate this trip, but he must be on his A-Game to beat a few of these. Chance.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
04/02/23LEO24Y11-106
28/12/22LEO24Sft11-102
05/11/22DRO24Y11-102
01/10/22GOW20Gd/Y11-32
18/09/22LIS20Gd11-22
Down Royal - November 05 2022
Down Royal 14:32
3
Rachael Blackmore

Envoi Allen

J: Rachael Blackmore
T: Henry De Bromhead
N/A
Age: 8
Weight: 11-10
OR: 161
Days: 193

Envoi Allen once had the entire world at his feet, and looked virtually unbeatable, though – that was ago now. He is still a top level performer, he did manage to win a G1 last season at Christmas, but it was a hard fought victory in a field of three.

He failed to win again after that but he still ran well enough in the two races he contested, finishing third on both occasion.

In all honesty, he’s probably not the horse he once was, and he does have a point to prove now. Seriously interesting.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
16/03/23CHL20.5Sft11-101
26/12/22KEM24Sft11-107
05/11/22DRO24Y11-101
26/04/22PUN16Gd/Y11-123
16/03/22CHL16Sft11-103
Down Royal - November 05 2022
Down Royal 14:32
2
Jack Kennedy

Conflated

J: Jack Kennedy
T: Gordon Elliott
N/A
Age: 8
Weight: 11-10
OR: 168
Days: 212

Conflated had a really good season last year. He’s always shown himself to be classy, though that all finally clicked last season.

He ran away with the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown winning by six and a half lengths, going away at the finish. It’s worth noting that he had the reopposing Kemboy well beaten back in fifth.

He was then declared for the Ryanair at Cheltenham, where he fell when making his challenge at the second last – would he have beaten Allaho anyway?

He must be respected in what looks a trappy renewal of this.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
13/04/23AIN25GS11-10PU
17/03/23CHL26.5Sft11-103
28/12/22LEO24Sft11-101
05/11/22DRO24Y11-103
07/04/22AIN25GS11-72
Down Royal - November 05 2022
Down Royal 14:32
4
Davy Russell

Galvin

J: Davy Russell
T: Gordon Elliott
N/A
Age: 8
Weight: 11-10
OR: 166
Days: 24

Galvin probably sets the standard after his success last time out in the Irish Daily Star G3 Chase at Punchestown.

He beat Run Wild Fred by five and a half lengths there, and he did it well. He travels well, jumps well, and stays the trip supremely well.

He will likely have come on for his first run and he’ll be looking to go one better now, after his second to Frodon last year.

The one to beat.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
15/04/23AIN34.5GS11-11UR
15/03/23CHL30Sft11-72
28/12/22LEO24Sft11-106
05/11/22DRO24Y11-104
12/10/22PUN24Gd11-121
Down Royal - November 05 2022
Down Royal 14:32
1
B J Cooper

Beacon Edge

J: B J Cooper
T: Noel Meade
N/A
Age: 8
Weight: 11-10
OR: 155
Days: 193

Beacon Edge managed a Grade One success last year from Gabynako in the Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse on good ground – that’s probably still his best form in the book.

He ran moderately for the rest of the season, never seriously threatening to win again, bar one second. He is a G1 winner though, so he must be respected, though the suspicion is he’s out of his depth here.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
27/04/23PUN23.5Gd/Y11-76
10/04/23FAI20Y/Sft11-33
15/03/23CHL21Sft11-712
12/02/23NAV21Gd/Y11-33
26/01/23GOW24.5Sft/Hy11-34