16:00 Cheltenham

Wednesday 12 March 2025

All13:2014:0014:4015:2016:0016:4017:20

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

Off time: 16:03 | Winning time: 3m 57.91s

Captain Guinness³⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 160| CD

25/1

Second to Energumene in this in 2023 and enjoyed his finest hour when going one better 12 months ago. Long way below that form in 3 runs this season however and has his work cut out.

Form: 31-2P56

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Energumene⁵³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 166| CD

6/1

Top-class chaser who met with defeat for just the third time over fences when held by Jonbon in the Clarence House but he's twice taken centre stage in this race, easily scoring from Captain Guinness in 2023. Will do well to regain his crown but no surprise if his season peaks here.

Form: 1311/12

Found A Fifty⁷⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Danny Gilligan| T: G Elliott| OR: 162| D

11/1

High-class chaser who was second in last season's Arkle and won his next 3 starts, including the Grade 1 Maghull the following month from Master Chewy and Libberty Hunter. First blob on his scorecard at Leopardstown last time but had excuses (slight nasal discharge) and can bounce back.

Form: 221-11P

Jonbon⁵³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 171| CD

5/6

His only 3 defeats have come here but he's a modern great, a credit to connections and wonderfully consistent performer who is better than ever this season, slamming Energumene in the Clarence House last time. Looks a lot more relaxed these days and this is his for the taking.

Form: 211-111

Libberty Hunter³²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 151| CD

33/1

Runner-up in last season's Grand Annual and has continued to improve over fences this term, winning 2m handicap on the other course on return before taking second late on in the Game Spirit. His jumping wasn't so fluent there and he'll need another big step forward to figure here.

Form: 1123-12

Marine Nationale^t³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean Flanagan| T: B Connell| OR: 159| CD

5/1

2023 Supreme winner in an unbeaten novice hurdle campaign and has looked to be coming to the boil over fences this term, again chasing home Solness in the Dublin Chase, deserving credit as the only one to get in a blow against the runaway winner. Looks set for a big run.

Form: 1/15-232

Quilixios³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 158| C| D

40/1

2021 Triumph winner who flopped in last year's Arkle but bounced back on return with fine front-running victory at Naas (from Marine Nationale) and put it up to Jonbon for a bit in the Tingle Creek next time. Needs to bounce back from a poor run behind Solness at Leopardstown but can do so.

Form: 185-124

Solness^p,t³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 162

12/1

Has improved out of nowhere to take Grade 1s at Leopardstown the last twice with front-running tactics the order of the day again, jumping well and seeing off a number of these in the Dublin Chase last month. Not out of this.

Form: 132411

Forecasts

Jonbon (5/6), Marine Nationale (5/1), Energumene (6/1), Found A Fifty (11/1), Solness (12/1), Captain Guinness (25/1), Libberty Hunter (33/1), Quilixios (40/1)

JONBON's only defeats have come at Cheltenham but it's hard to see what can beat him in this on recent displays and his big day at the Festival has come. He's looked better than ever this season and more relaxed to boot and can see off the 2022 and 2023 winner Energumene. 2023 Supreme hero Marine Nationale looks to be coming to the boil and can go well.