15:30 Cheltenham

Wednesday 14 March 2018

All13:3014:1014:5015:3016:1016:5017:30

Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 4m 7.20s

Altior³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 170| CD

1/1

Yet to be beaten in any race over obstacles, he's already a dual Festival winner and came back from a setback in the autumn to score decisively at Newbury. Had wind surgery during a break and puts his unbeaten record on the line in a top class race.

Form:

Ar Mad^p1⁹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 159| D

50/1

One of a few in this that like to front run and whilst he's likely to fall short he will ensure a good gallop. Ran well enough when last seen at Sandown and has won at this level but on the balance of his form a place is the best he can hope for.

Form:

Charbel^p⁹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 158| D

28/1

Another of those who like to pace set and had some good form as a novice despite falling in the Arkle last year. Very lightly raced since that mishap and off the track since December when he finished behind Ar Mad; jumping needs some attention.

Form:

Douvan³⁶⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 174| BF| CD

9/2

Lost unbeaten chasing record in this contest last year when looking totally out of sorts and not seen since. Capable of top-class form (previous dual Festival winner) but jury is out on whether he can bounce back. He's the pick of the stable jockey.

Form:

God's Own⁶⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: P J Brennan| T: T R George| OR: 163| D

40/1

Versatile sort who has twice won at that level over fences although has found winning hard of late (plenty of placed form). Certainly looked to need the run last time out over a trip that stretches him; could pick up the pieces from off the pace.

Form:

Min³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 160| D

5/2

Has continually enhanced his claims for a race such as this and underlined his chance with a powerful yet controlled performance last time out at Leopardstown. Will have no problems with the ground and has proved himself around here; good chance.

Form:

Ordinary World³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: D N Russell| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 149| D

40/1

Not won since wining on debut over fences although he does have plenty of placed form in events like this. May have finished closer to Min last time out but for a bad blunder (improved form) but faces a tough test here; a place would an achievement.

Form:

Politologue³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 165| D

12/1

Top-class chaser who has placed form at the Festival and has already won three times over fences this season. Rather put in his place by the returning Altior last time out and hard to see why he would now turn the tables on that one; place chances.

Form:

Special Tiara³⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: N D Fehily| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 163| CD

25/1

The reigning champion having finally captured this race after several tries but will face very different conditions this time. Not disgraced in four runs since that triumph but it may be the best he can do is to match his thirds in 2015 and 2016.

Form:

Forecasts

Altior (1/1), Min (5/2), Douvan (9/2), Politologue (12/1), Special Tiara (25/1), Charbel (28/1), God's Own (40/1), Ordinary World (40/1), Ar Mad (50/1)

With the news that Altior was a doubt for the race with a foot problem, his place at the head of the market may come under some pressure from the Mullins duo MIN and Douvan. Both of those have missed time on the course with the latter producing a performance that was way below his best in this race last year and he returns now with questions still to answer. Min therefore may be the safer option having proved his fitness and health this year and it’s hard to see him out of the frame. The race looks likely to be run at a good pace and that could hamper those that like to go forward with God’s Own given a sporting shout of picking up some place money.