Grade One Ladbrokes Champion Chase 2023 Guide

Conflated represents the Gordon Elliott yard this weekend, as the nine-year-old looks to get back on track after a very disappointing reappearance in October. He was last of five in the G3 Irish Daily Star Best For Racing Coverage Chase over an extended two miles and seven at Punchestown.

It wasn’t the return that connections would have been hoping for, as he was also pulled up over three miles and one at the end of last season in the G1 Aintree Bowl. Conflated finished third of five in this race 12 months ago, meaning there are plenty of questions. Sam Ewing takes the ride.

Henry De Bromhead-trained Envoi Allen will be back to defend the prize he won 12 months ago, as he landed the Grade 1 pot by over a length from Kemboy at Down Royal in 2022. Despite struggling in the G1 King George, he looked better than ever when landing the G1 Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham over an extended two miles and four.

He was later well beaten in the G1 Punchestown Gold Cup. On his return to action, the nine-year-old finished third of six over two miles and four in the G2 PWC Champion Chase. Interestingly, Envoi Allen is the choice of Rachel Blackmore.

All eyes will be on Gerri Colombe for trainer Gordon Elliott on Saturday, as the seven-year-old looks to showcase his Gold Cup credentials at Down Royal. The seven-year-old was in fine form over fences last season, winning five of his six starts.

His sole defeat was suffered in agonising fashion when losing by a short head in the G1 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase. However, his season ended with a stunning seven-length win in the G1 Mildmay Novices’ Chase at Aintree. He looks incredibly progressive, and is clearly the one to beat this weekend. Jack Kennedy will be on board.

Minella Indo represents the Henry De Bromhead yard at Down Royal this weekend, as the ten-year-old bids to back-up his excellent comeback performance at Punchestown last month. He was excellent in the G3 Irish Daily Star Best For Racing Coverage Chase in October, beating Hurricane Georgie by just under two lengths.

It was a welcome return to form, as the former Gold Cup winner bounced back after being pulled up in this year’s edition of the Cheltenham showpiece. The fact that he has had a recent run could make him an interesting angle.