16:00 Cheltenham Tips: Nicky’s Champion gem is hard to oppose
A huge Wednesday highlight is the Queen Mother Champion Chase, over 2m. Eight are scheduled to start @ 16:00, and dare I say it I think we've got a good thing on our hands here (that sentence might come back to haunt me).
It's sure to be fast, frenetic and fabulous. Kindly read on ...
Jonbon to win @ 5/6
This admirable nine-year-old Walk In The Park gelding has been doing his thing since winning a point by 15l in November 2020.
His appearances have been very carefully and patiently managed since, and a very good hurdler has blossomed into an outstanding chaser. Jonbon looks to this observer to be in the form of his life right now, having struck up a glorious relationship with jockey Nico de Boinville over the last 18 months or so.
He was Aidan Coleman's ride for some time, but injury prompted the change and JP McManus' Rolls Royce of a horse has won 17 of his 20 starts under rules - absolutely phenomenal.
I've looked and probed and prodded and I just can't see anything in the field to touch him, I really can't. Last time out at Sandown 53 days ago he beat Energumene, a two-time winner of this, by a commanding 6.5l, and though Willie Mullins' hero reopposes I can only see place money as a realistic goal - admittedly a very realistic one in my view.
Fingers crossed for an imperious 'I'm glad I was there to see it' display from a simply grand advertisement for the game. Nicky Henderson has trained him with loving care and to absolute perfection.
Odds correct at time of publishing.
Energumene each-way @ 7/1
Willie Mullins, Paul Townend, two-time Champion Chaser, stacks to like. But he's 11 now, and there's a whippersnapper of a nine-year-old at Seven Barrows called Jonbon in the way.
Still; Energumene could certainly roll back the years and secure a place in this, and at the price that would mean a sweet little profit if indeed he makes the top three; and if anything should happen to derail the favourite then he's in prime order potentially to strike. It's sport, they're not machines, and all that eminently sensible stuff.
He's 13 from 17 under rules in his career, which again is terrific. He's been chasing since around the time of Jonbon's comprehensive point win at Dromahane, where incidentally the younger horse was ridden by the great Derek O'Connor. They knew, didn't they?
This is a race to savour year on year, and a look at some of the names that grace this trophy will have you wiping a tear or three away. Flyingbolt (is there anything he didn't win?), Crisp (National nearly horse), Badsworth Boy, Moscow Flyer, Master Minded, Sprinter Sacre, Altior; with a dozen more equally as compelling. Wow. Just wow.
Odds correct at time of publishing.
Betfred's Cheltenham Offer for New Customers 2025
New customers only. Register (excl. 05/04/25), deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility exclusions & T&Cs Apply.
Cheltenham Tips from Betfred Insights.
Share Article
New customers only. Deposit via Debit Card & place first bet £10+ (1/1+) on Sports in 7 days. £30 Sports & £20 Acca Free Bets within 10 hrs of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment excl. & T&Cs Apply.
