We detail all of the final declarations for day two of the 2023 Cheltenham Festival, featuring the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Wednesday March 15
Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase
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1 Captain Guinness (IRE) 8 11 10 Henry de Bromhead Ireland Declan Landy Rachael Blackmore
2 Editeur du Gite (FR) 9 11 10 Gary Moore The Preston Family, Friends & T Jacobs Niall Houlihan
3 Edwardstone 9 11 10 Alan King Robert Abrey & Ian Thurtle Tom Cannon
4 Energumene (FR) 9 11 10 W. P. Mullins Ireland Tony Bloom
5 Funambule Sivola (FR) 8 11 10 Venetia Williams My Racing Manager Friends Charlie Deutsch
6 Greaneteen (FR) 9 11 10 Paul Nicholls Chris Giles Harry Cobden
7 Nube Negra (SPA) ts 9 11 10 Dan Skelton Mr T. Spraggett Harry Skelton
Defending champion Energumene will face six rivals in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham on Wednesday.
The nine-year-old gave Willie Mullins the final piece of his Prestbury Park big-race puzzle last year when lighting up a miserable day two of the Festival and is the sole Closutton representative in the second day feature.
Although following up last year’s Cheltenham success with impressive victories at both the Punchestown Festival and on his reappearance in the Hilly Way at Cork, he failed to fire when only third in the rearranged Clarence House Chase on Festival Trials Day.
That day it was the reopposing Editeur Du Gite and Alan King’s Edwardstone that fought out a thrilling finish, but Energumene’s jockey Paul Townend now knows exactly what is required to turn the tables.
“The Clarence House Chase was a big indicator for the Champion Chase,” he told Ladbrokes.
“I think we very much underperformed on the day and I wasn’t happy from the time he turned at the top of the hill.
“I don’t think Editeur Du Gite will get it his own way in front here and I can see him getting taken on more on the other track at Cheltenham.
“I thought Edwardstone probably came out of the Clarence House Chase with the most credit even though he didn’t win.
“We learnt a lot from that race and we know what Energumene is capable of.”
Clarence House winner Editeur Du Gite will attempt to give Gary Moore his second win in the race and is a first Champion Chase ride for Niall Houlihan, while Edwardstone may have lost out by the barest of margins on Trials Day, but still did enough for the bookmakers to make last year’s Arkle hero their race favourite.
Venetia Williams’ Funambule Sivola was eight and a half lengths behind Energumene 12 months ago and returns to Prestbury Park in decent order having bounced back to something near his best in the Game Spirit at Newbury.
Dan Skelton is likely to be on weather watch for Nube Negra but has nonetheless declared his good-ground loving nine-year-old who missed the race last year when conditions turned testing on the second day, but was runner-up to Put The Kettle On in 2021.
Paul Nicholls’ Greaneteen was fourth on that occasion and is another returning to Champion Chase action having skipped the 2022 running, while the seven-strong field is rounded off by Irish raider Captain Guinness, who attempts to give Henry de Bromhead a fourth victory in the race.
Ballymore Novices' Hurdle
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1 American Mike (IRE) ts 6 11 7 Gordon Elliott Ireland Bective Stud Davy Russell
2 Champ Kiely (IRE) 7 11 7 W. P. Mullins Ireland Miss M. A. Masterson
3 Gaelic Warrior (GER) 5 11 7 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mrs S. Ricci
4 Good Land (FR) 7 11 7 Barry Connell Ireland Mr Barry Connell M. J. M. O'Sullivan
5 Hermes Allen (FR) ts 6 11 7 Paul Nicholls Sir A Ferguson G Mason J Hales & J Diver Harry Cobden
6 Ho My Lord (FR) 5 11 7 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mr John P. McManus
7 Impaire Et Passe (FR) 5 11 7 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede
8 Marble Sands (FR) 7 11 7 Fergal O'Brien DL Adams, JA Adams & G McPherson Paddy Brennan
9 Master Chewy (IRE) 6 11 7 Nigel Twiston-Davies Anne-Marie & Jamie Shepperd Sam Twiston-Davies
10 Persian Time 5 11 7 Nicky Henderson McNeill Family & Stone Family A. P. Heskin
Impaire Et Passe and Gaelic Warrior lead the Willie Mullins charge in a red-hot running of the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle that kicks off day two of the Cheltenham Festival.
The former has been the talking horse of the Festival preview circuit and as a result is currently topping the market, while the former will attempt to go one better than his second in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at the meeting 12 months ago.
The master of Closutton has won this three times in the last 10 years – including last year with Sir Gerhard – and is responsible for four of the 10 declared for the opener.
Hermes Allen has been touted as one of Paul Nicholls’ best chances at the meeting and takes his chance, while Barry Connell’s Dublin Racing Festival scorer Good Land is another declared bringing top form to the table.
Brown Advisory Novices' Chase
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1 Adamantly Chosen (IRE) 6 11 7 W. P. Mullins Ireland Watch This Space Syndicate
2 Amirite (IRE) 7 11 7 Henry de Bromhead Ireland Patrick Hale Rachael Blackmore
3 Bronn (IRE) 6 11 7 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede
4 Gerri Colombe (FR) 7 11 7 Gordon Elliott Ireland Robcour Jordan Gainford
5 I Am Maximus (FR) 7 11 7 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mr Claudio Michael Grech
6 Ramillies (IRE) ts 8 11 7 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mrs J. Donnelly
7 Sir Gerhard (IRE) 8 11 7 W. P. Mullins Ireland Cheveley Park Stud
8 The Real Whacker (IRE) 7 11 7 Patrick Neville Neville, Mann, Duffus and Dennis Sam Twiston-Davies
9 Thunder Rock (IRE) 7 11 7 Olly Murphy McNeill Family & Mr Ian Dale A. P. Heskin
10 Thyme Hill p 9 11 7 Philip Hobbs & Johnson White The Englands and Heywoods Micheal Nolan
11 Galia des Liteaux (FR) 7 11 0 Dan Skelton Mr Michael Ariss Harry Skelton
Scilly Isles winner Gerri Colombe tops the 11 going to post for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, with Jordan Gainford getting the chance to register a Grade One winner at the Festival.
Mullins is responsible for five of the declared runners with his quintet including Sir Gerhard and the supplemented Adamantly Chosen, while Patrick Neville has chosen to run dual course victor The Real Whacker in this rather than take an audacious swing at the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Coral Cup
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1 Fil Dor (FR) ts 5 12 0 Gordon Elliott Ireland Caldwell Construction Ltd
2 Sporting John (IRE) 8 12 0 Philip Hobbs & Johnson White Mr John P. McManus Micheal Nolan
3 Run For Oscar (IRE) p 8 11 10 Charles Byrnes Ireland Top Of The Hill Syndicate P. Byrnes (5)
4 Scaramanga (IRE) 8 11 10 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mr Malcolm C. Denmark
5 Red Risk (FR) 8 11 10 Paul Nicholls Middleham Park Racing XLIV & A&J Ryan Harry Cobden
6 Beacon Edge (IRE) bl,ts 9 11 10 Noel Meade Ireland Gigginstown House Stud M. J. M. O'Sullivan (3)
7 Call Me Lord (FR) 10 11 9 Nicky Henderson Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Daryl Jacob
8 Icare Allen (FR) ts 5 11 8 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mr John P. McManus
9 Grand Roi (FR) p 7 11 7 Gordon Elliott Ireland Bective Stud
10 Captain Conby (IRE) 6 11 6 E. Sheehy Ireland O'Reilly Buller Partnership Keith Donoghue
11 Good Risk At All (FR) ts 7 11 6 Sam Thomas Walters Plant Hire Ltd Sam Twiston-Davies
12 Hms Seahorse (IRE) 5 11 6 Paul Nolan Ireland Sonja Buckley/Anne Coffey Partnership Sean O'Keeffe
13 Watch House Cross (IRE) ts, p 6 11 5 Henry de Bromhead Ireland Sunday Racing & R.M.Kelleher Partnership Rachael Blackmore
14 Langer Dan (IRE) 7 11 4 Dan Skelton Mr Colm Donlon Harry Skelton
15 Bold Endeavour p 7 11 3 Nicky Henderson Countrywide Park Homes Ltd Nico de Boinville
16 The Very Man (IRE) 9 11 2 Mrs J. Harrington Ireland Dan Kiely/Rob Kearney Conor Smithers (7)
17 Benson p 8 11 2 (5lb ex) Sandy Thomson J Fyffe & S Townshend Ryan Mania
18 Camprond (FR) 7 11 1 Philip Hobbs & Johnson White Mr John P. McManus Aidan Coleman
19 San Salvador (IRE) 7 11 1 Joseph Patrick O'Brien Ireland Annus Mirabilis Syndicate
20 Tax For Max (GER) ts 6 11 0 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede
21 An Epic Song (FR) ts, p 6 11 0 Martin Brassil Ireland Sean & Bernardine Mulryan J. J. Slevin
22 Sa Fureur (IRE) 6 11 0 Gordon Elliott Ireland Caldwell Construction Ltd Davy Russell
23 Riaan (IRE) 6 10 12 Gordon Elliott Ireland Philip J. Reynolds Jordan Gainford
24 Nells Son p 8 10 12 Nicky Richards Langdale Bloodstock Danny McMenamin
25 Off Your Rocco (IRE) p 7 10 12 Gordon Elliott Ireland Pioneer Racing
26 Elvis Mail (FR) ts 9 10 11 N. W. Alexander The Ladies Who Bruce Lynn (3)
Reserves
R27 Irish Hill (GER) 5 10 11 Paul Nicholls Sir Martin Broughton & Friends 8
R28 Harbour Lake (IRE) 7 10 9 Alan King Exors of the late Mr Trevor Hemmings
Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
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1 Back On The Lash 9 11 7 Martin Keighley Maughan, Redknapp, Ryan, Salters Sean Bowen
2 Coup de Pinceau (FR) bl 11 11 7 Syd Hosie Syd Hosie Mr George Hiscock
3 Deise Aba (IRE) p 10 11 7 Philip Hobbs & Johnson White Exors of the late Mr Trevor Hemmings Micheal Nolan
4 Delta Work (FR) ts 10 11 7 Gordon Elliott Ireland Gigginstown House Stud
5 Diesel d'Allier (FR) ts 10 11 7 Richard Bandey The French Link Harry Bannister
6 Easysland (FR) bl 9 11 7 Jonjo O'Neill Mr John P. McManus Jonjo O'Neill Jr.
7 Foxy Jacks (IRE) 9 11 7 M. F. Morris Ireland Mr D. F. Desmond Ricky Doyle
8 Francky du Berlais (FR) ts 10 11 7 Peter Bowen Mr Roddy Owen Ben Jones
9 Franco de Port (FR) 8 11 7 W. P. Mullins Ireland Bruton Street V
10 Galvin (IRE) 9 11 7 Gordon Elliott Ireland Mr R. A. Bartlett
11 Hardline (IRE) 11 11 7 Gordon Elliott Ireland Bronsan Racing
12 Lieutenant Rocco (IRE) ts 8 11 7 Syd Hosie Syd Hosie Nick Scholfield
13 Mortal (IRE) ts, p 11 11 7 Gordon Elliott Ireland Mr A. Dunlop
14 Plan of Attack (IRE) bl 10 11 7 Henry de Bromhead Ireland Mr A. Halsall Darragh O'Keeffe
15 Gin On Lime (FR) ts 7 11 0 Henry de Bromhead Ireland Robcour Rachael Blackmore
16 Snow Leopardess p 11 11 0 Charlie Longsdon Andrew Fox-Pitt Aidan Coleman
Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase
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1 Andy Dufresne (IRE) ts 9 12 0 Gordon Elliott Ireland Mr John P. McManus Mark Walsh
2 Coeur Sublime (IRE) ts 8 11 12 Henry de Bromhead Ireland C. Jones Ben Harvey (5)
3 Final Orders 7 11 9 Gavin Cromwell Ireland C. M. D. Syndicate Keith Donoghue
4 Third Time Lucki (IRE) ts 8 11 8 Dan Skelton Mike and Eileen Newbould Harry Skelton
5 Malystic 9 11 8 Peter Niven Clova Syndicate and Mr P. D. Niven Danny McMenamin
6 A Wave of The Sea (IRE) bl 7 11 7 Joseph Patrick O'Brien Ireland Mr John P. McManus Simon Torrens
7 Elixir de Nutz (FR) ts, p 9 11 6 Joe Tizzard Mr Terry Warner Brendan Powell
8 Thyme White (FR) 7 11 6 Paul Nicholls The Stewart Family & Michael Blencowe Harry Cobden
9 Epson du Houx (FR) ts 9 11 6 Henry de Bromhead Ireland Gigginstown House Stud
10 Midnight Run (IRE) 9 11 5 Joseph Patrick O'Brien Ireland Gigginstown House Stud B. J. Cooper
11 Dads Lad (IRE) ts 8 11 4 W. P. Mullins Ireland Whitegrass Racing Syndicate
12 Call Me Lyreen (IRE) p 7 11 4 Gordon Elliott Ireland Lyreen Syndicate
13 Dancing On My Own (IRE) ts 9 11 3 Henry de Bromhead Ireland Sean & Bernardine Mulryan
14 Battleoverdoyen (IRE) ts 10 11 3 Gordon Elliott Ireland Pioneer Racing
15 Before Midnight ts, p 10 11 2 Sam Thomas Walters Plant Hire & Potter Group Sam Twiston-Davies
16 Maskada (FR) 7 11 1 Henry de Bromhead Ireland M. K. Mariga Darragh O'Keeffe
17 Sizing Pottsie (FR) ts, p 9 10 13 David Pipe Tracey, Alexander, Apiafi, Kuyt, Harman Jack Tudor
18 Dinoblue (FR) 6 10 13 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mr John P. McManus
19 Global Citizen (IRE) 11 10 12 Ben Pauling The Megsons Luca Morgan
20 The Last Day (IRE) 11 10 12 Evan Williams Mr & Mrs William Rucker Adam Wedge
Reserves
R21 Prince Escalus (IRE) 8 10 12 Jonjo O'Neill The As You Like It Syndicate Jonjo O'Neill Jr.
R22 Riders Onthe Storm (IRE) bl,ts 10 10 12 Richard Hobson Carl Hinchy and Mark Scott Gavin Sheehan
Weatherbys Champion Bumper
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1 A Dream To Share (IRE) 5 11 7 John E. Kiely Ireland Mr John P. McManus Mr J. L. Gleeson
2 Beachcomber (FR) 5 11 7 Jonjo O'Neill Mrs E. J. Wills Jonjo O'Neill Jr.
3 Better Days Ahead (IRE) 5 11 7 Gordon Elliott Ireland Bective Stud Mr J. J. Codd
4 Captain Cody (IRE) 5 11 7 W. P. Mullins Ireland V Caldwell/A Shamoon/Mrs A Shamoon Ibgi
5 Captain Teague (IRE) 5 11 7 Paul Nicholls Mrs Johnny de la Hey Harry Cobden
6 Chapeau de Soleil (IRE) 5 11 7 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mrs S. Ricci
7 Chosen Witness (IRE) 6 11 7 W. P. Mullins Ireland Monabeg Investments Limited
8 Encanto Bruno (IRE) 5 11 7 John McConnell Ireland Mr D. Kierans Sean Bowen
9 Fact To File (FR) 6 11 7 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mr John P. McManus
10 Fascile Mode (IRE) 5 11 7 Thomas Mullins Ireland Mrs H. Mullins Mr Charlie Mullins
11 Favour And Fortune (IRE) 5 11 7 Alan King Exors of the late Mr Trevor Hemmings Tom Cannon
12 It's For Me (FR) 5 11 7 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede
13 King of Kingsfield (IRE) 5 11 7 Gordon Elliott Ireland Gigginstown House Stud Jordan Gainford
14 Lecky Watson (IRE) 5 11 7 W. P. Mullins Ireland Slaneyville Syndicate
15 Loughglynn (IRE) 5 11 7 W. P. Mullins Ireland Jodmart Construction Ltd
16 No Time To Wait (IRE) 5 11 7 Gordon Elliott Ireland Caldwell Construction Ltd Davy Russell
17 Western Diego (IRE) h 6 11 7 W. P. Mullins Ireland Clipper Logistics Group Ltd
18 Westport Cove (FR) 5 11 7 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mr Cathal Hughes
19 Fun Fun Fun (IRE) 5 11 0 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede
20 Queens Gamble (IRE) 5 11 0 Oliver Sherwood Mr A Frost and Mr E Galvin Jonathan Burke
21 D Art D Art (FR) 4 10 11 Thomas Cooper Ireland Mr Ciaran John Mooney B. J. Cooper
22 Fiercely Proud (IRE) 4 10 11 Ben Pauling Mr T. P. Radford Luca Morgan
23 Samui 4 10 11 Gordon Elliott Ireland Mr Allan Snow Sam Ewing
24 Shinji (IRE) h 4 10 11 Martin Keighley Mrs Louise Jones Aidan Coleman
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