15:30 Cheltenham

Wednesday 16 March 2022

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

Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 4m 6.27s

Chacun Pour Soi³⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 176| BF| D

8/1

Has won 6 Grade 1s over fences, including a third Dublin Chase last month. Flopped on both visits to Britain (including in this race 12 months ago) but would add real spice to the mix if at his best.

Form: 1131-51

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Energumene⁵³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 175| D

5/2

Went unbeaten in his first 5 starts over fences before worn down only late on by Shishkin in the Clarence House at Ascot. Top-class, bold-jumping front runner who seems sure to go well again.

Form: 1111-12

Envoi Allen^t⁷⁹

10/1

Champion Bumper/Ballymore winner who fell in the Marsh last year when going for a 4-timer. Not quite as impressive this term, making hard work of it at Leopardstown at Christmas. Has had a wind op.

Form: 1FP-161

Funambule Sivola³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 159| D

40/1

Likeable front-runner who has got back on the up returned to 2m with stylish wins in Doncaster handicap and Game Spirit Chase at Newbury. This is much tougher but he certainly has each-way claims.

Form: 12-2911

Politologue^t¹²²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 165| CD

80/1

Won this in 2020 but very lightly raced since and after another wind op was a below-par second to Nube Negra in Shloer Chase here on sole run this term. Hard to see this veteran playing a major part.

Form: 51/124-2

Shishkin⁵³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 177| CD

5/6

Retained his unbeaten record over fences when edging out Energumene in the Clarence House at Ascot. Has powered clear to win the Supreme and Arkle at the last 2 Festivals and is the one to beat.

Form: 1111-11

Put The Kettle On^p1⁷⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Aidan Coleman| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 158| CD

20/1

Won the 2020 Arkle and this race last year (fourth C&D success) but she's been well beaten in 2 runs this term and it's difficult to see her retaining her crown in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 1314-35

Non-Runners

Nube Negra¹⁰²

Weight: 11-10| Age: 8

T: D Skelton J: Harry Skelton

Forecasts

Shishkin (5/6), Energumene (5/2), Chacun Pour Soi (8/1), Envoi Allen (10/1), Nube Negra (12/1), Put The Kettle On (20/1), Funambule Sivola (40/1), Politologue (80/1)

A mouth-watering rematch between SHISHKIN and Energumene and Nicky Henderson's star can uphold the Clarence House form and make it 3 Festival wins in a row. Shishkin's strong finish at Ascot proved decisive and that could be the difference again up the Cheltenham Hill which he knows well. Willie Mullins, still seeking a first win in this race, has another strong contender in Chacun Pour Soi.