The Champion Chase is definitely number three in prestige ranking of Cheltenham races. The Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle are the big two, no doubt. The Champion Chase has something different though, it is thrilling.
Eight line up and they will charge the first, still accelerating and launching for it at somewhere near 35mph, that's fast when you’re on a horse.
There is little room for error at full tilt over fences. Moscow Flyer, Kauto Star and many more can attest to that. Yet to jump at that speed both horse and rider need to be brave, aggressive, nigh on reckless.
Solness has found that sweet spot, attacks his fences while always ready to stretch for a long stride or tap his toes if meeting the fence too close, just what you want as a rider. He belied his previous levels of form to bring up a big double at Leopardstown over Christmas and at the DRF.
He will go fast, jump fast and his light feet will see him rally around this tight track on good ground. Opposing riders got slack for letting him go last time, they’ll not do that around here, they simply have to chase. He’s not the best horse in the race, but he could be the best around here and is too big a price.
When the gavel falls for a headline fee on any young horse, expectations are raised and achievements expected more than exaulted. Jonbon was knocked down for £570,000 after a flawless point to point debut. A record which has not since been matched. Heavy wears that crown.
JP McManus’ investment has managed a rare feat in living up to the hype, and not only recouping his fee, doubling it. Since appearing in a bumper for today’s connections he has won 17 of his 20 starts, impressive stuff. The glaring hole in all that glory is that all the flaws came at Cheltenham.
No match for Constitution Hill in the Supreme, fair enough. Easily accounted for by El Fabiolo in the Arkle and well below par behind Elixir De Nutz in a Clarence House. With the Henderson horses out of sorts last year, he didn’t appear at the festival. He will need to get his jumping spot on if he to fill the only void in his career.
Marine Nationale would be a popular winner, while only one from five over fences he has form around the track and won’t be far away. 2023 winner Energumene, at 11 and having had a year off is unlikely to be at his very best but don’t write him off. Harder though to make a case for last year’s winner Captain Guinness, has yet to perform this term.
The Turners 2m5f Novice Hurdle brings together three huge reputations. The epitome of a Cheltenham novice, all the opinion, chatter and speculation but no one really knows till they get to the top of the hill. Final Demand has made very light work of rivals on his two outings. The New Lion has done similarly for Dan Skelton, sufficiently impressing JP McManus so that he now carries the green and gold. The Yellow Clay, not as glamourous but definitely in the mix.
Willie Mullins has 26 of 61 runners in all Grade 1 novices over the week. In the Brown Advisory 3m Novice Chase he has an even larger portion of the runners. He will be giving riding instructions for four of the seven runners.
The other three are based with Gordon Elliott and Henry de Bromhead. In fact barring football agent David Manasseh’s share in Ballyburn, the entire field are Irish trained, owned and ridden.
That said Ballyburn will take all the beating.
Laughed at his short odds and opposition over 2m5f here last year. Found wanting against Sir Gino at Kempton over 2m, that was lesson learned and connections have gone back up in distance. Putting an easy five lengths between himself and Croke Park over 2m5f and might be even better here at 3m. Next stop Gold Cup '26.
The Cross Country brings something different, I’m glad to see it return to a handicap this year. That brings the fun back to it. Stumptown would have looked very hard to beat under last year’s conditions but has to give weight away all round.
The lead will bring him back to the pack but it might not shove him behind them. Keith Donoghue learnt his trade chasing stag over the banks and drains of Meath, a huge addition on this exciting track.
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