Champion Chase Odds 2023
One of the most exciting races of the week, the Queen Mother Champion Chase over 2 miles, is the feature race on Day Two of the Cheltenham Festival. The contest is usually run at a frenetic pace with little room for error in the jumping department.
The race has been won by some of the greats in recent memory, including Master Minded, Sprinter Sacre and Altior. However, Altior and Master Minded are the only two horses in twenty years to win back-to-back renewals.
Energumene is the reigning champion from last year but had his task made easier with the earlier departure of Shishkin. However, he didn’t impress when returning to Cheltenham on Festival Trials Day. Editeur Du Gite and Edwardstone finished ahead of him in the rearranged Clarence House Chase in January, and he could struggle to turn that form around.
In truth, it looks like a three-horse race, with Nube Negra and Greaneteen not looking near their best this season. Funambule Sivola was fifth in the Clarence House before winning a Grade 2 at Newbury next time but does tend to struggle at this level.
Latest Champion Chase odds *
*Best prices at the time of writing
Edwardstone 6/4
Energumene 13/8
Editeur Du Gite 5/1
Nube Negra 16/1
Greaneteen 22/1
Funambule Sivola 33/1
Captain Guinness 40/1
Champion Chase Odds and Entries 2023
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Although finishing second to Editeur Du Gite in January, Edwardstone has cemented his place at the top of the betting for the feature race on day two. He headed his rival, having made a big move after the second last but seemingly running out of steam up the Cheltenham hill. However, that was his first proper race in a while, and his victory in the Tingle Creek shows he still retains all his ability.
Editeur Du Gite was given a brilliant ride when beating Edwardstone and Energumene last time out, and Niall Houlihan may not get his own way in front so easily this time. However, he has an excellent record at Cheltenham and could prove difficult to peg back if his rivals do not pay close attention.
It was disappointing Energumene could not justify odds on favouritism recently. Still, his shuddering error at the last may have exaggerated the distance he finished behind his two re-opposing rivals. He is still a brilliant horse but may prefer a right-handed track.
Nube Negra and Greaneteen have both run well in previous editions of this race but do not have what it takes to take the crown.
Betting on the Queen Mother Champion Chase
The Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham is one of the most thrilling spectacles of the Festival meeting. The roll of honour features such champions as Badsworth Boy (1983-1985), Sprinter Sacre (2013, 2016) and Altior (2018, 2019). The Queen Mother Champion Chase betting 2023 suggests it will be a duel between reigning champion Energumene and last year’s Arkle winner Edwardstone.
There have been numerous repeat winners, the most recent being Nicky Henderson’s Altior in 2018-19. Energumene provided Trainer Willie Mullins with his first winner in the Champion Chase but was surprisingly beaten by Editeur Du Gite and Edwardstone in the Clarence House Chase. That race has been a very informative trial in recent years with seven of the last twelve winners having ran in the Clarence House last time out, Sire De Grugy, Dodging Bullets and Altior among those to win both races.
It is usually a good policy to concentrate on the market leaders when you bet on the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Ten of the last eleven winners featured in the first three in the Champion Chase betting. The exception was 11-1 chance Special Tiara in 2017. Class is also a key factor with the last twelve winners all having won at least once previously at Grade 1 level.
Queen Mother Champion Chase News
The clash between Edwardstone, Energumene and Editeur Du Gite could be one of the week’s highlights if the race pans out as it did in January. Although Editeur Du Gite came out on top on that occasion, he is only third in the betting, and his jockey will need everything to fall right for him to be successful again.
Energumene could be the first back-to-back winner of the Champion Chase since Altior in 2018 and 2019, but he will need to iron out the jumping errors he made here last time. Edwardstone was impressive when winning the Arkle last season and hasn’t had things go to plan this time around. However, the race could be set up perfectly for him to take revenge on Editeur Du Gite.