Day Two. Queen Mother Champion Chase.
One of my favourite races of the year, watching the speed demons charging round Prestbury Park flying over the fences at top speed.
The actual field set to race is still not confirmed yet, with Willie Mullins still to decide which races Yorkhill and Douvan will tackle if indeed they both make it to the Festival. Yorkhill could turn up in any number of the festival races, so best to wait until we know where he will line up. If it were to be the Champion Chase then he would have to enter calculations, but for me he would be better suited by a bit further and his two races this year have been less than inspiring. Now if Douvan makes it which is by no means certain, then we may have the race of the festival on our hands. No doubt one of the best we have seen the last few years but after his injury in the corresponding race last year, we have to guess how ready he will be. Everyone will have everything crossed in the hope he lines up on the Wednesday.
Odds on favourite and for me one of the bankers of the festival is the beast Altior. Unbeaten over hurdles and fences he is a shoe in. His form is superb going back to one of the best Supreme Novices of recent years, and last year winning the Arkle ensures his course and distance record is also bomb proof. Having only had two runs this year, interrupted by a wind problem means he will turn up a fresh horse too. If Douvan does make it and the Champion Chase is his target Ruby Walsh might have a difficult decision. As good as Douvan is there must be a few questions for him to answer and Min maybe a safer option. He would be no second best if they were both to run and he might be the one who serves it up to the favourite. Having backed him earlier in the year at a decent price I’m confident he will finish in the places.
The other runners are by no means also rans and are very good horses in there own right, I just don’t think they are in the same league as those at the head of the market. Special Tiara has to get a mention as the defending champion, having benefited from Douvan’s demise last year. Although his runs on ground he wouldn’t prefer this year weren’t too bad he is held by others and at eleven years old he isn’t getting better. If he gets good ground then he may outrun his odds but I wouldn’t be expecting him to finish in the first three. Fox Norton would have a chance of running to a place at his best but with how he has run this year you would be backing him on the past and definitely not on current form. Charbel was running a storming race in last years Arkle when he came to grief two out and connections were sure he would have beat Altior. The talent is there but this year his form is not up with the best he will face. Politologue has been superb this year picking up some good prizes, however having been in such good form and race fit he was firmly put in his place by Altior who was returning from his lay off last time out. He was beaten four lengths and that was with Altior just being pushed out, probably value for much more than that. Top Notch has good course form and has run in good races this year but he was very disappointing in the Ascot Chase last time so can’t have him at any price.
The most interesting runner outside of the favourites for me is Great Field. Another from the Mullins yard I hope he will take his chance. Slightly concerning would be the fact he hasn’t raced this year, but he finished last year in great order winning a listed contest by thirty odd lengths. He followed that by stepping up and to a Grade One and hosing in by 11 lengths. If taking his chance I could see him finishing in the places.
My prediction and odds.
1. Altior 8/11
2. Min 10/3
3. Great Field 10/1
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