Home Races
BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase
Grade 1, Cheltenham 16:00
£400,000 guaranteed,
5yo plus,
1m 7f 199y, Class 1  
Wednesday 12th March 2025
AutoUpdating 960x120 Gif

The doubters have had their say, but Nicky Henderson believes Jonbon can finally silence them by making it third time lucky at the Cheltenham Festival.

A glance at the numbers tells you all you need to know about his quality—17 wins from 20 starts under rules, 12 from 14 over fences. But for all his brilliance, there remains the lingering fact that his three defeats have all come at Prestbury Park.

The first was behind the freakish Constitution Hill in the 2022 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle—a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. A year later, El Fabiolo was simply too strong in the Arkle. Then, last January, just as he looked to be stamping his authority in the division, a shuddering error saw him turned over at odds-on in the rescheduled Clarence House Chase. That slip-up cast doubt over his Cheltenham credentials, though Henderson is quick to dismiss the idea that the track is an issue.

“I think he finally got the recognition he deserved at Ascot,” said the Seven Barrows maestro. “When you look at his record—eight or nine Grade Ones—you’d think that would have come sooner.”

There is, of course, the elephant in the room—last year’s Champion Chase, which passed him by as Henderson’s yard battled illness. A race that promised plenty but delivered little, as El Fabiolo’s errant jumping saw him fail to complete, leaving the division wide open.

“The Champion Chase last year wasn’t exactly an epic, was it?” Henderson added. “Jonbon wasn’t there, El Fabiolo put holes in fences, and what should have been a highlight turned into a bit of a flop. If Jonbon had been there, it mightn’t have been the hardest race he ever had.”

And that is why this year’s renewal feels like unfinished business. His Ascot win last month settled the score from Clarence House day 12 months earlier, and now Henderson is ready for the final piece of the puzzle.

Pressed once more on whether Cheltenham is the issue, he remains firm: “He’s won two Shloer Chases, so it’s nonsense to say he doesn’t handle the track. He made one shocking mistake in the Clarence House last year, and to be honest, he was lucky to stand up. But that’s all it was—one mistake. He goes round anywhere. We know he loves Sandown, but I thought Ascot was a very good performance.”

Now, it’s all systems go for March. No Constitution Hill. No El Fabiolo. No excuses. Just one final hurdle between Jonbon and the Champion Chase crown.

Il Est Francais has demonstrated commendable form this season. He delivered a strong performance in the King George VI Chase, leading for most of the race before being overtaken by Banbridge in the closing stages. This effort showcased his stamina and front-running capabilities. While initially considered for the Ryanair Chase, connections have not ruled out a tilt at this, drawing parallels to horses like One Man, who successfully transitioned to shorter distances. Il Est Francais's versatility makes him a noteworthy contender. 

A two-time winner of the Champion Chase in 2022 and 2023, Energumene remains a formidable force in the two-mile division. After a significant layoff, he made a winning return in the Hilly Way Chase at Cork in December. However, in the recent Clarence House Chase at Ascot, he finished second to Jonbon, unable to match the winner's acceleration on the day. Connections believe that softer ground at Cheltenham could enhance his performance, and his proven track record at the Festival solidifies his status as a leading contender. 

Trained by Willie Mullins, Gaelic Warrior has shown promise, notably with a victory in the Arkle Novices' Chase. Despite a mixed start to the season, his potential for improvement keeps him in contention. Mullins has indicated that Gaelic Warrior is under consideration for the Queen Mother Champion Chase, and his versatility over different distances could play to his advantage. 

Banbridge has been in impressive form, most notably clinching victory in the King George VI Chase, where he reeled in Il Est Francais with a strong finishing kick. This performance underscores his stamina and ability to perform under pressure. While he holds entries in multiple Cheltenham races, including the Ryanair Chase and the Gold Cup, his connections may consider the 2-miler, depending on ground conditions and competition.

BetGoodwin

BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase
£400,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 1m 7f 199y, Class 1
20 remaining entries
Going:

NO. FORM HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY (form as of Feb 18)
1 9-14U1 Banbridge 9 11-10 Joseph O'Brien
2 213-P3 Blood Destiny 6 11-10 W P Mullins
3 1-2P56 Captain Guinness 10 11-10 Henry De Bromhead
4 8-2121 Djelo 7 11-10 Venetia Williams
5 -3F235 Edwardstone 11 11-10 Alan King
6 11P2-F El Fabiolo 8 11-10 W P Mullins
7 311/12 Energumene 11 11-10 W P Mullins
8 21-11P Found A Fifty 8 11-10 Gordon Elliott
9 U1-223 Gaelic Warrior 7 11-10 W P Mullins
10 15-1P2 Il Est Francais 7 11-10 Noel George & Amanda Zetterholm
11 11-111 Jonbon 9 11-10 Nicky Henderson
12 17-134 JPR One 8 11-10 Joe Tizzard
13 /416-1 Jungle Boogie 11 11-10 Henry De Bromhead
14 123-12 Libberty Hunter 9 11-10 Evan Williams
15 15-232 Marine Nationale 8 11-10 Barry Connell
16 2-4F31 Master Chewy 8 11-10 Nigel Twiston-Davies
17 -21213 Matata 7 11-10 Nigel Twiston-Davies
18 85-124 Quilixios 8 11-10 Henry De Bromhead
19 PU4U3P Senecia 8 11-10 Vincent Laurence Halley
20 132411 Solness 7 11-10 Joseph O'Brien

FreeRacingTips

QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE ROLL OF HONOUR

Year Winner Age/Wt Jockey Trainer Owner SP Ran

2024 Captain Guinness 9 11-10 Henry De Bromhead Rachael Blackmore Declan Landy 17/2 8
2023 Energumene 9 11-10 W P Mullins Paul Townend Tony Bloom 6/5F 7
2022 Energumene 8 11-10 W P Mullins Paul Townend Tony Bloom 5/2 7
2021 Put The Kettle On 7 11-3 Henry De Bromhead Aidan Coleman One For Luck Racing Syndicate 17/2 9
2020 Politologue 9-11-10 Harry Skelton Paul Nicholls John Hales 6/1 5
2019 Altior 9-11-10 Nico de Boinville Nicky Henderson Patricia Pugh 4/11F 9
2018 Altior 8-11-10 Nico de Boinville Nicky Henderson Patricia Pugh EvsF 9
2017 Special Tiara10-11-10 Noel Fehily Henry de Bromhead Sally Rowley-Williams 11/1 10
2016 Sprinter Sacre 10-11-10 Nico de Boinville Nicky Henderson Caroline Mould 5/1 10
2015 Dodging Bullets 7-11-10 Sam Twiston-Davies Paul Nicholls Martin Broughton & Friends 9/2 9
2014 Sire De Grugy 8-11-10 Jamie Moore Gary Moore The Preston Family & Friends Ltd 11/4F 11
2013 Sprinter Sacre 7-11-10 Barry Geraghty N J Henderson 1/4 7
2012 Finian's Rainbow 9-11-10 Barry Geraghty N J Henderson 4/1 6
2011 Sizing Europe 9-11-10 Andrew Lynch Henry de Bromhead IRE Ann & Alan Potts 10/1 11
2010 Big Zeb 9-11-10 Barry Geraghty Colm Murphy IRE Pat Redmond 10/1 9
2009 Master Minded 6-11-10 Ruby Walsh Paul Nicholls Clive Smith 4/11F 12
2008 Master Minded 5-11-10 Ruby Walsh Paul Nicholls Clive Smith 3/1 8
2007 Voy Por Ustedes 6-11-10 Robert Thornton Alan King Sir Robert Ogden 5/1 10
2006 Newmill 8-11-10 Andrew McNamara John Murphy IRE Mary Hayes 16/1 12
2005 Moscow Flyer 11-11-10 Barry Geraghty Jessica Harrington IRE Brian Kearney 6/4F 8
2004 Azertyuiop 7-11-10 Ruby Walsh Paul Nicholls John Hales 15/8 8
2003 Moscow Flyer 9-12-00 Barry Geraghty Jessica Harrington IRE Brian Kearney 7/4F 11
2002 Flagship Uberalles 8-12-00 Richard Johnson Philip Hobbs Elizabeth Gutner/Michael Krysztofiak 7/4F 12
2001 No Race (Foot and Mouth)
2000 Edredon Bleu 8-12-00 Tony McCoy Henrietta Knight Jim Lewis 7/2 9
1999 Call Equiname 9-12-00 Mick Fitzgerald Paul Nicholls Mick Coburn,Paul Barber,Colin Lewis 7/2 13
1998 One Man 10-12-00 Brian Harding Gordon Richards John Hales 7/2 8
1997 Martha’s Son 10-12-00 Rodney Farrant Tim Forster Paddy Hartigan/Michael Ward-Thomas 9/1 6
1996 Klairon Davis 7-12-00 Francis Woods Arthur Moore IRE Chris Jones 9/1 7
1995 Viking Flagship 8-12-00 Charlie Swan David Nicholson Roach Foods Ltd 5/2F 10
1994 Viking Flagship 7-12-00 Adrian Maguire David Nicholson Roach Foods Ltd 4/1 8
1993 Deep Sensation 8-12-00 Declan Murphy Josh Gifford Robin Eliot 11/1 9
1992 Remittance Man 8-12-00 Jamie Osborne Nicky Henderson Jim Collins Evs F 6
1991 Katabatic 8-12-00 Simon McNeill Andrew Turnell Pell-Mell Partners 9/1 7
1990 Barnbrook Again 9-12-00 Hywel Davies David Elsworth Mel Davies 11/10F 9
1989 Barnbrook Again 8-12-00 Simon Sherwood David Elsworth Mel Davies 7/4F 8
1988 Pearlyman 9-12-00 Tom Morgan John Edwards Valerie Shaw 15/8F 8
1987 Pearlyman 8-12-00 Peter Scudamore John Edwards Valerie Shaw 13/8F 8
1986 Buck House 8-12-00 Tommy Carmody Mouse Morris IRE Mrs Phil Purcell 5/2 11
1985 Badsworth Boy 10-12-00 Robert Earnshaw Monica Dickinson Doug Armitage 11/8 5
1984 Badsworth Boy 9-12-00 Robert Earnshaw Michael Dickinson Doug Armitage 8/13F 10
1983 Badsworth Boy 8-12-00 Robert Earnshaw Michael Dickinson Doug Armitage 2/1 6
1982 Rathgorman 10-12-00 Kevin Whyte Michael Dickinson J Lilley 100/30 9
1981 Drumgora 9-12-00 Frank Berry Arthur Moore IRE D Monahan 25/1 9
1980 *Another Dolly 10-12-00 Sam Morshead Fred Rimell Ian Urquhart 33/1 7
1979 Hilly Way 9-12-00 Mr Ted Walsh Peter McCreery IRE J W Sweeney 7/1 9
1978 Hilly Way 8-12-00 Tommy Carmody Peter McCreery IRE J W Sweeney 7/1 10
1977 Skymas 12-12-00 Mouse Morris Brian Lusk IRE Mathew Magee 7/2 8
1976 Skymas 11-12-00 Mouse Morris Brian Lusk IRE Mathew Magee 8/1 7
1975 Lough Inagh 8-12-00 Sean Barker Jim Dreaper IRE A Martin 100/30 8
1974 Royal Relief 10-12-00 Bill Smith Edward Courage Edward Courage 6/1 6
1973 Inkslinger 6-12-00 Tommy Carberry Dan Moore IRE Mrs M Jenney 6/1 6
1972 Royal Relief 8-12-00 Bill Smith Edward Courage Edward Courage 15/8 5
1971 Crisp 8-12-00 Paul Kelleway Fred Winter Sir Chester Manifold 3/1 8
1970 Straight Fort 7-12-00 Pat Taaffe Tom Dreaper IRE George Ansley 7/4F 6
1969 Muir 10-12-00 Ben Hannon Tom Dreaper IRE Waring Willis 15/2 11
1968 Drinny’s Double 10-12-00 Frank Nash Bob Turnell Paul Mellon 6/1 5
1967 Drinny’s Double 9-12-00 Frank Nash Bob Turnell Paul Mellon 7/2 8
1966 Flyingbolt 7-12-00 Pat Taaffe Tom Dreaper IRE Mrs Jean Wilkinson 1/5F 6
1965 Dunkirk 8-12-00 Dave Dick Peter Cazalet Bill Whitbread 8/1 6
1964 Ben Stack 7-12-00 Pat Taaffe Tom Dreaper IRE Anne, Duchess of Westminster 2/1 5
1963 Sandy Abbot 8-12-00 Stan Mellor George Owen Mrs J D McKechnie 5/1 5
1962 Piperton 8-12-00 Dave Dick Archie Thomlinson Archie Thomlinson 100/6 7
1961 Fortria 9-12-00 Pat Taaffe Tom Dreaper IRE George Ansley 2/5F 5
1960 Fortria 8-12-00 Pat Taaffe Tom Dreaper IRE George Ansley 15/8F 7
1959 Quita Que 10-12-00 Bunny Cox Dan Moore IRE Mrs D R Brand 4/9F 9

*Another Dolly finished second to Chinrullah, who was subsequently disqualified after failing a post-race urine test

BetGoodwin