Cheltenham Racecourse News - Altior, Politologue & Chacun Pour Soi among 31 entries for Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase

Published 2021/01/07

The Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase is the championship contest for two-mile chasers and has attracted 31 entries, including previous winners Altior (Nicky Henderson), successful in 2018 and 2019, plus 2020 scorer Politologue (Paul Nicholls).

Politologue began his season with the fourth G1 success of his career in the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown Park in December while Altior endured just his second defeat in 17 chase starts when runner-up to Nube Negra (Dan Skelton) in the G2 Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton Park on 27 December.

Trainer Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson are jointly the most successful trainers of all time in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase, alongside the late Tom Dreaper, with six winners each. Henderson has also made an entry for G2 scorer Janika, while Nicholls’ other potential starters include Duc des Genievres, Greaneteen and Magic Saint.

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Politologue on his way to victory in 2020

Heading the market at 5/4 with sponsor Betway is Chacun Pour Soi (Willie Mullins), one of 14 Irish-trained entries. Nine-year-old Chacun Pour Soi has yet to start at Cheltenham, having missed this contest last season due to a last-minute injury. He has however looked imperious on his two starts so far this season, most recently cruising to victory in the G1 Paddy's Rewards Club Chase at Leopardstown on 27 December.

Third behind Chacun Pour Soi at Leopardstown was Put The Kettle On (Henry de Bromhead).The seven-year-old mare boasts a formidable record at Cheltenham, having won all three of her starts at the Home of Jump Racing. At The Festival™ in 2020, she landed the G1 Arkle Novices’ Chase and began the 2020/21 campaign with success in the G2 Shloer Chase at The November Meeting.

Another Irish entry to have already tasted success at Cheltenham this season is Chatham Street Lad (Michael Winters), who was most impressive when taking the G3 Caspian Caviar Gold Cup by 15 lengths on December 12.

First Flow (Kim Bailey) has won six of his 10 starts over fences, including his last five starts. Most recently, he defied a big weight to capture the Castleford Handicap Chase at Wetherby on 27 December.

Gloucestershire-based Bailey is considering options for the nine-year-old and remarked:

“First Flow is a horse that needs heavy ground, and he was very brave when winning at Wetherby over the Festive period.

“The Champion Chase is something we would think about, but the ground is going to be an important factor for him.

“He could run in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot later this month."

BETWAY QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE (Grade 1)

Altior (IRE) 11 Mrs Patricia Pugh Nicky Henderson

Battleoverdoyen (IRE) 8 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE

Bun Doran (IRE) 10 Crossed Fingers Partnership Tom George

Cash Back (FR) 9 Watch This Space Syndicate W. P. Mullins IRE

Chacun Pour Soi (FR) 9 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins IRE

Chatham Street Lad (IRE) 9 Mr V. Healy Michael Winters IRE

Cilaos Emery (FR) 9 Luke McMahon W. P. Mullins IRE Defi du Seuil (FR) 8 Mr John P. McManus Philip Hobbs

Duc des Genievres (FR) 8 Sullivan Bloodstock Limited Paul Nicholls

Esprit du Large (FR) 7 Mr & Mrs William Rucker Evan Williams

Fakir d'Oudairies (FR) 6 Mr John P. McManus Joseph Patrick O'Brien IRE

Fanion d'Estruval (FR) 6 Mr David Wilson Venetia Williams

First Flow (IRE) 9 Mr A. N. Solomons Kim Bailey

Greaneteen (FR) 7 Chris Giles Paul Nicholls

Ibleo (FR) 8 The Bellamy Partnership Venetia Williams

Impact Factor (IRE) 9 Robcour Mrs J. Harrington IRE Janika (FR) 8 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Nicky Henderson

Le Richebourg (FR) 8 Mr John P. McManus Joseph Patrick O'Brien IRE

Magic Saint (FR) 7 Mr and Mrs J. D. Cotton Paul Nicholls

Min (FR) 10 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins IRE

Notebook (GER) 8 Gigginstown House Stud Henry de Bromhead IRE

Nube Negra (SPA) 7 Mr T. Spraggett Dan Skelton

Politologue (FR) 10 Mr J. Hales Paul Nicholls

Put The Kettle On (IRE) 7 One For Luck Racing Syndicate Henry de Bromhead IRE

Rouge Vif (FR) 7 Kate & Andrew Brooks Harry Whittington

Samcro (IRE) 9 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE

Sceau Royal (FR) 9 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Alan King

Simply The Betts (IRE) 8 Kate & Andrew Brooks Harry Whittington

Sizing Pottsie (FR) 7 Ann & Alan Potts Limited Mrs J. Harrington IRE

Tornado Flyer (IRE) 8 T. F. P. W. P. Mullins IRE

Waiting Patiently (IRE) 10 Mr Richard Collins Ruth Jefferson

31 entries

14 Irish-trained

Betway PR Manager Chad Yeomans said: “It’s fantastic to see lots of entries for the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase and as it stands, Chacun Pour Soi is the one they have to beat and is the 5/4 favourite with us. His jumping is one of his main assets and you couldn’t help but be impressed with him at Leopardstown over Christmas.

“Reigning Champion Politologue is going to be a tough nut to crack, though. He goes to Ascot to face Defi Du Seuil in a few weeks’ time, so the betting may change complexion again before too long. Throw in Altior and the new kid on the block Nube Negra, the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase could be the most exciting of the Championship races at Cheltenham!”

Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase, Betway odds:

5/4 Chacun Pour Soi

11/2 Politologue

9/1 Nube Negra

10/1 Altior

14/1 Defi Du Seuil, Put The Kettle On

16/1 Duc Des Genievres, Notebook, Waiting Patiently

20/1 Greaneteen, Rouge Vif

22/1 Samcro

25/1 Janika, Min

28/1 Sceau Royal

33/1 Battleoverdoyen, Cash Back, Chatham Street Lad, Cilaos Emery, Fakir Doudairies, Le Richebourg, Magic Saint, Simply The Betts, Sizing Pottsie, Tornado Flyer

40/1 Bun Doran, First Flow, Ibleo

50/1 Esprit Du Large, Fanion dEstruval, Impact Factor

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Imperial Aura set for trial on Saturday as 50 entered for Ryanair Chase

There are 50 entries, the highest number since 2008, for the Ryanair Chase, which takes place over the intermediate distance of an extended two and a half miles.

In 2020 it was Min (Willie Mullins) who came out in front and he is one of 23 Irish-trained entries in 2021. The 10-year-old recorded the seventh G1 success of his career when making a winning seasonal return in the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown in December, when he accounted for stablemates Tornado Flyer and Melon, and heads the market with most bookmakers. If successful again in 2021, Min would become just the second dual winner of the Ryanair Chase after Albertas Run, successful in 2010 and 2011.

Also engaged again this year are last year’s neck runner-up Saint Calvados (Harry Whittington), fourth to Frodon on his return to action in the G1 Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day, and the third home from 2020 A Plus Tard (Henry de Bromhead), who landed the G1 Savills Chase at Leopardstown over the Festive period.

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Min leads the way home in 2020

Vying with Min for favouritism at this stage is Imperial Aura (Kim Bailey). The eight-year-old is already a winner at The Festival™, having landed the Listed Northern Trust Company Novices' Handicap Chase over two and a half miles in 2020. He has picked up where he left off so far this season, beginning his campaign with victory in the Listed Colin Parker Intermediate Chase at Carlisle on 1 November and following up with a five-length victory in the G2 Chanelle Pharma 1965 Chase at Ascot 20 days’ later.

Bailey commented: “Imperial Aura is in good form and he runs on Saturday in the Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton.

“That race is essentially his prep run for the Cheltenham Festival where he will hopefully line up in the Ryanair Chase.

“He won at the Festival last year and I have been delighted with his performances so far this year.

“I am very happy with him and Saturday should hopefully tell us more, but Cheltenham is definitely a target for him.”

The Ryanair Chase has also been left open for leading Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase contenders Altior (Nicky Henderson) and Chacun Pour Soi (Willie Mullins) while recent Ladbrokes King George VI Chase runner-up Waiting Patiently (Ruth Jefferson) has the option of the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase as well as the Ryanair Chase.

RYANAIR CHASE (Grade 1)

Acapella Bourgeois (FR) 11 Slaneyville Syndicate W. P. Mullins IRE

Al Dancer (FR) 8 Walters Plant Hire Ltd Nigel Twiston-Davies

Allaho (FR) 7 Cheveley Park Stud W. P. Mullins IRE

Altior (IRE) 11 Mrs Patricia Pugh Nicky Henderson Annamix (FR) 8 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins IRE

A Plus Tard (FR) 7 Cheveley Park Stud Henry de Bromhead IRE

Aso (FR) 11 The Bellamy Partnership Venetia Williams Balko des Flos (FR) 10 Gigginstown House Stud Henry de Bromhead IRE

Battleoverdoyen (IRE) 8 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE

Benatar (IRE) 9 Mr Ashley Head Gary Moore

Caribean Boy (FR) 7 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Nicky Henderson

Castlebawn West (IRE) 8 Mrs Boyd,Mrs Armstrong,Exors JB Anderson W. P. Mullins IRE

Cepage (FR) 9 The Bellamy Partnership Venetia Williams

Chacun Pour Soi (FR) 9 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins IRE

Chatham Street Lad (IRE) 9 Mr V. Healy Michael Winters IRE

Chris's Dream (IRE) 9 Robcour Henry de Bromhead IRE

Cilaos Emery (FR) 9 Luke McMahon W. P. Mullins IRE

Cyrname (FR) 9 Mrs Johnny de la Hey Paul Nicholls

Daly Tiger (FR) 8 Gigginstown House Stud Noel Meade IRE

Dashel Drasher (GB) 8 Mrs B Tully and Mr R Lock Jeremy Scott

Defi du Seuil (FR) 8 Mr John P. McManus Philip Hobbs

Delta Work (FR) 8 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE

Easy Game (FR) 7 Mr Nick Peacock W. P. Mullins IRE

Esprit du Large (FR) 7 Mr & Mrs William Rucker Evan Williams

Fakir d'Oudairies (FR) 6 Mr John P. McManus Joseph Patrick O'Brien IRE

Fanion d'Estruval (FR) 6 Mr David Wilson Venetia Williams

Greaneteen (FR) 7 Chris Giles Paul Nicholls

Ibleo (FR) 8 The Bellamy Partnership Venetia Williams

Imperial Aura (IRE) 8 Imperial Racing Partnership 2016 Kim Bailey

Itchy Feet (FR) 7 Kate & Andrew Brooks Olly Murphy

Janika (FR) 8 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Nicky Henderson

Kalashnikov (IRE) 8 Mr Paul Murphy Amy Murphy Kemboy (FR) 9

Kemboy/Brett Graham/Ken Sharp Syndicate W. P. Mullins IRE

Master Tommytucker (GB) 10 Mr A. G. Fear Paul Nicholls

Melon (GB) 9 Mrs J. Donnelly W. P. Mullins IRE

Midnight Shadow (GB) 8 Mrs Aafke Clarke Sue Smith

Min (FR) 10 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins IRE

Mister Fisher (IRE) 7 James and Jean Potter Nicky Henderson

Presenting Percy (GB) 10 Philip J. Reynolds Gordon Elliott IRE

Real Steel (FR) 8 Mrs Kathy Stuart&Sullivan Bloodstock Ltd Paul Nicholls

Riders Onthe Storm (IRE) 8 Carl Hinchy and Mark Scott Nigel Twiston-Davies

Saint Calvados (FR) 8 Kate & Andrew Brooks Harry Whittington

Samcro (IRE) 9 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE

Shattered Love (IRE) 10 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE

Simply The Betts (IRE) 8 Kate & Andrew Brooks Harry Whittington

Sizing Pottsie (FR) 7 Ann & Alan Potts Limited Mrs J. Harrington IRE

Terrefort (FR) 8 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Nicky Henderson

Top Notch (FR) 10 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Nicky Henderson

Tornado Flyer (IRE) 8 T. F. P. W. P. Mullins IRE

Waiting Patiently (IRE) 10 Mr Richard Collins Ruth Jefferson

50 entries

23 Irish-trained The Festival™ presented by Magners 2021

Day One – Tuesday 16th March (Old Course)

13:30 Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Race (Grade 1) 2m ½f

14:10 Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase (Grade1) 2m

14:50 Ultima Handicap Steeple Chase (Grade 3) 3m 1f

15:30 Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1) 2m ½f

16:10 Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle Race (Grade 1) 2m 4f

16:50 Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Race (Grade 3) 2m ½f

17:30 National Hunt Steeple Chase Challenge Cup (Amateur Riders’ Novices’ Steeple Chase) (Grade 2) 3m 6f

Day Two – Wednesday 17th March (Old Course & Cross Country)

13:30 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle Race (Grade 1) 2m 5f

14:10 Festival Novices’ Steeple Chase (Grade 1) 3m ½f

14:50 Coral Cup Hurdle (A Handicap Hurdle Race) (Grade 3) 2m 5f

15:30 Betway Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase (Grade 1) 2m

16:10 Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeple Chase 3m 6f

16:50 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Steeple Chase Challenge Cup (Grade 3) 2m

17:30 Weatherbys Champion Bumper (A Standard Open NH Flat Race) (Grade 1) 2m ½f

Day Three – Thursday 18th March (New Course)

13:30 Marsh Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 2m 4f

14:10 Pertemps Network Final (A Handicap Hurdle Race) (Listed) 3m

14:50 Ryanair Steeple Chase (Grade 1) 2m 5f

15:30 Paddy Power Stayers Hurdle Race (Grade 1) 3m

16:10 Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate (A Handicap Steeple Chase) (Grade 3) 2m 5f

16:50 Daylesford Mares Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m 1f

17:30 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Steeple Chase (0-145) 3m 2f

Day Four – Friday 19th March (New Course)

13:30 JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 1f

14:10 Randox Health County Handicap Hurdle Race (Grade 3) 2m 1f

14:50 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle Race (Grade 1) 3m

15:30 Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase (Grade 1) 3m 2½f

16:10 St. James’s Place Challenge Cup Hunter Steeple Chase 3m 2½f

16:50 Mrs Paddy Power Mares Steeple Chase (Grade 2) 2m 4f

17:30 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockey’s Handicap Hurdle Race (0-145) 2m 4½f

Cheltenham Racecourse

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