Queen Mother Champion Chase Entries Get A Bump With 26 Potential Runners
It looks like it’s going to be another bumper year at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival.
While the entry numbers for the Gold Cup look slightly depressing at just 19, I imagine because absolutely nobody wants to take on Galopin Des Champs, the numbers for the Queen Mother Champion Chase are far more positive.
This year there are 26 Champion Chase entries, up seven from last year. It is all the highest for the last four years, with 19 in 2024, a mere 14 in 2023 and 22 in 2022.
It should come as no surprise that Jonbon leads the pack in the betting markets, though he is still around 3/1, which isn’t terrible given how many ante-post favourites are odds on already.
Nicky Henderson’s stable star will be aiming for his 13th win from 15 chase starts, provided he doesn’t run elsewhere beforehand.
Right now, he looks set to be one of only 10 potential British runners, with the rest of the card made up of 15 Irish entries and one lone French entry in the form of Il Est Francais from
Noel George & Amanda Zetterholm.
The problem is that there is a maximum of only 20 places allowed in the race. As this is not handicapped, all runners will automatically go off carrying 11-10 each.
So whittling down the prospects will often happen by default as many are entered into other races and may opt to run elsewhere at the Festival.
Jonbon
Jonbon has emerged as the clear favourite for the 2025 Queen Mother Champion Chase following an impressive victory in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot.
His credentials for Cheltenham have been bolstered by consecutive victories in the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham and the Tingle Creek at Sandown.
While his jumping has occasionally raised questions, his recent performances suggest he’s the horse to beat in March.
The nine-year-old’s path to favouritism has been particularly noteworthy given that he had to skip this race last season.
El Fabiolo was then installed as the 2/9F but pulled up, leaving the race wide open for relative outsiders, Captain Guinness and Rachael Blackmore to come in and snatch victory.
I doubt very much that the 2025 renewal will go the same way!
Jonbon’s main challenge may come from his occasional jumping inconsistencies, though his recent form suggests these issues are being ironed out.
Under Henderson’s expert guidance, Jonbon appears to be peaking at the right time.
His ability to handle the Cheltenham course demonstrated in the Shloer Chase, combined with his recent dominant performances, makes him a worthy favourite for the championship race on March 12th, 2025.
The Challengers
Of the next four in the betting, Willie Mullins trains three of them. They are Gaelic Warrior, Energumene and El Fabiolo.
Gaelic Warrior has emerged as the most likely challenger, currently trading at around 7/2 and showing impressive form when winning the Arkle last season.
His tendency to jump right remains a concern, though he’s proven he can handle left-handed tracks, with his highest Racing Post Rating of 172 coming in the Arkle.
El Fabiolo, available at as much as 12/1, seeks redemption after a disappointing 2024 Champion Chas,e where he pulled up following an early blunder at the fifth fence.
His subsequent second to Jonbon in the Celebration Chase suggests he retains his ability, though he’ll need to return to his best form to mount a serious challenge.
Energumene’s chances appear less clear-cut, with recent form suggesting he may struggle to recapture his previous championship-winning level.
His performance at Leopardstown during the festive period, where he finished well behind in a Grade 1 contest, raises questions about his ability to compete at the highest level.
Of the three Mullins contenders, Gaelic Warrior appears to hold the strongest claims of causing an upset.
His fresh approach to major targets has proven successful in the past, winning first time out in 2022 by 86 lengths and showing similar prowess when returning to action last season.
However, his inconsistency at Leopardstown raises questions about his ability to perform at his best on the big day.
Champion Chase 2025 Trainers
The Queen Mother Champion Chase 2025, despite its 26 entries, only has prospects from 15 trainers.
Willie Mullins heads the pack with six of them. And yet, despite the calibre of runner that he sends to the Cheltenham Festival every year, he has only ever won the Queen Mother Champion Chase on two occasions, both with Energumene in 2022 and 2023.
He is followed by fellow Irish trainer Henry De Bromhead, who has entered three. Despite a win with Captain Guinness last season, it appears the bookies think that was more down to luck adn this year have priced the 10-year-old at around 40/1.
His two other options – Quilixios and Jungle Boogie – are priced at 40/1 and 50/1, respectively, giving him little chance of a repeat victory. But as we saw in 2024, anything can happen in this race!
Overall, entries have come from De Bromhead, Barry Connell (Marine Nationale), Gordon Elliott, Harry Fry, Vincent Halley, Nicky Henderson, Alan King, Willie Mullins, Paul Nicholls, Joseph O’Brien, Joe Tizzard, Nigel Twiston-Davies, Evan Williams, Venetia Williams and Noel George & Amanda Zetterholm.
For now, it’s a waiting game to get those numbers down.
Full ante-post odds are available with Betfred, should you fancy an early flutter!
BETFRED
