Ladbrokes Champion Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 14:41 | Winning time: 6m 4.10s

Delta Work^b,t²⁰³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Donagh Meyler| T: G Elliott| OR: 157| C| D

28/1

High-class chaser. Course winner. Ended last season with excellent second in Grand National at Aintree but bit to find with the principals here.

Form: 1U/3662-

Envoi Allen^t²⁰⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 163| CD

3/1

Notched his third Cheltenham Festival success in Ryanair in 2023. Failed to score from 4 starts last season but went down narrowly to Gerri Colombe and was also a good second in the Ryanair. Must be respected.

Form: 14/3224-

Gerri Colombe²⁰⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Ewing| T: G Elliott| OR: 170| CD

8/11

Top-class chaser who was a narrow winner of this on return last year. Went on to finish second in the Gold Cup before winning Grade 1 at Aintree final start. The one to beat.

Form: 21/1221-

Hewick^b¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Jordan Gainford| T: J J Hanlon| OR: 165| D

4/1

High-class chaser who showed what he's capable of when winning King George at Kempton last season. Looked rusty on comeback run at Punchestown but better expected now.

Form: 0163-23

Visionarian²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 151| C| D

28/1

Smart chaser. 1 win from 3 runs this season. 10/3, didn't need to improve to win 3-runner PWC Champion Chase at Gowran (20f, good to firm) 28 days ago by 4 lengths from French Dynamite, driven clear. This demands a lot more.

Form: 112-P01

Forecasts

Gerri Colombe (8/11), Envoi Allen (3/1), Hewick (4/1), Visionarian (28/1), Delta Work (28/1)

A good starting point for last year's Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up GERRI COLOMBE, who won 2 Grade 1s last year, including this race on his return. Envoi Allen was beaten only a neck by the selection in this 12 months ago and rates the main threat again.