15:30 Cheltenham

Champion Chase 2023 Runners

Energumene

Energumene turned this race into a procession last year putting up a performance that suggested that he could dominate the 2 mile division for a period of time. 

He added further weight to that theory when kicking aside stablemate Chacun Pour Soi at Punchestown and he looked to have summered well when returning to action at Cork in December, where he barely broke well sweat to land the Grade 2 Hilly Way Chase.

However, just as Energumene’s reign of dominance appeared to be in full swing, chinks were exposed in his armour during the rescheduled Clarence House Chase at Cheltenham in January, when he could only finish third behind Editeur Du Gite and Edwardstone.

Energumene made an early mistake on that occasion and was seemingly unable to find his rhythm thereafter. And if his fate wasn’t already sealed, it most certainly was following a significant blunder at the final fence.

Willie Mullins seems confident that it was merely a blip and it would certainly be foolish to overeat to a solitary defeat when things clearly went wrong on the day.

The rematch is eagerly anticipated.

Edwardstone

Edwardstone proved himself to be the best novice chaser on either side of the Irish Sea when bolting up in the Arkle Novices’ Chase 12 months ago and he announced his arrival in open company with a smooth success in the Grade 1 Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown.

The strong travelling nine-year-old made light work of dual Tingle Creek hero Greaneteen on that occasion and he was beginning to look like a serious threat to Energumene’s crown.

However, he too has faced adversity this year having unseated his rider in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton before being denied by Editeur Du Gite in the aforementioned Clarence House Chase.

Any 2 mile chaser can be forgiven the odd mistake given the speed at which they take their obstacles and it’s possible that Edwardstone expended too much energy making up ground when giving way to Gary Moore’s charge last time out.

I’m sure Tom Cannon will be less inclined to concede as much ground on this occasion i fully expect Edwardstone to be coming home with a wet sail.

Editeur Du Gite

Gary Moore and the Preston Family teamed up to land this race with the popular Sire De Grugy in 2014 and they appear to have another live contender in the form of Editeur Du Gite, who has become somewhat of a Cheltenham specialist in recent times.

The slick jumping nine-year-old has returned victorious on three of his last five visits to Prestbury Park culminating in a brave victory in the resheduled Clarence House Chase in January, where he battled back to head Edwardstone after being passed on the run-in.

That victory came hot on the heels of an impressive success in the Grade 2 Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton, where he beat former Champion Chase runner-up Nube Negra by an easy 13 lengths.

Editeur Du Gite now boasts a career high rating of 166 and he clearly warrants his place in the market.

It will be fascinating to see what his rivals do in an attempt to reverse that January form.

Nube Negra

Nube Negra kick-started his season with a second consecutive victory in the Shloer Chase, once again demonstrating his ability to perform at a high level over this course and distance.

The Spanish bred nine-year-old placed second in this race back in 2021 and was denied a run last year on account of the soft ground, which is naturally a concern once again. 

Nube Negra was well held by the aforementioned Editeur Du Gite at Kempton over Christmas and he is yet to break his duck at Grade 1 level. 

It’s hard to envisage that changing tomorrow.

Greaneteen

Dual Tingle Creek hero Greaneteen warmed up for this contest with a third placed finish in the Betfair Exchange Game Spirit Chase at Newbury and he was arguably as good as ever when placing second at Sandown in December.

However, he was no match for Edwardstone on that occasion and he could only finish fourth in a weaker edition of this contest in 2021. He is therefore easy to oppose.

Funambule Sivola

Funambule Sivola chased home Energumene in this race 12 months ago and he will attempt to go one place better after bouncing back to form in the Game Spririt Chase at Newbury.

Venetia Williams’ charge had only beaten two rivals home in three outings this year prior to his Newbury success and he could only finish fourth of five in the Clarence House Chase in January, suggesting he has plenty to find with Editeur Du Gite, Edwardstone and Energumene. 

This is arguably a better race than it was last year and a reproduction of that effort would likely still fall short. However, he could potentially run into a place if ridden to do so.

Captain Guinness

Captain Guinness placed third behind Shishkin in the 2021 Arkle Novices’ Chase and he has proven himself to be a consistent performer in graded company since.

However, he is yet to break his duck in Grade 1 company or surpass a rating of 162. He would obviously need to do both of those things in order to triumph tomorrow and that seems fairly unlikely.

Champion Chase 2023 Tips & Prediction

Editeur Du Gite has taken his form to a new level this season and he clearly commands plenty of respect after downing Edwardstone and Energumene in the rescheduled Clarence House Chase.

Gary Moore’s charge only has one way of running and will undoubtedly attempt to make all once again. However, his rivals will be better prepared on this occasion and it’s hard to envisage him being given too much rope.

Energumene was impressive when taking the crown 12 months ago and there were reasons for his disappointing performance in the Clarence House Chase.

Willie Mullins’ nine-year-old was beaten in the same race last year and he could easily bounce back once again.

However, last year’s Arkle winner EDWARDSTONE is arguably still ascending and he showed enough in the Clarence House Chase to suggest that he is the one to beat when everything in equal.

Alan King’s charge had to work hard to make up the ground that he had forfeited to Editeur Du Gite and that was seemingly his downfall up the hill, as he couldn’t maintain his finishing effort after momentarily putting his head in front.

Edwardstone jumps well, travels powerfully and will be coming home fast when others start to paddle.