Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1)

AFTER a poor edition of this race last year which lacked both depth and excitement, there is the prospect of a vastly better renewal on Wednesday although the presence of Chacun Pour Soi suggests this could turn rather one-sided.

Rather than listing off all that Willie Mullins’ charge has done, it is easier to say that he has simply looked every inch Champion Chase material since he made a winning debut over fences at Naas two years ago.

In a flawless campaign this term he has looked brilliant and he was especially good at Leopardstown last month when he came through an exacting test with some ease. On all known form this season he will surely take all the beating which is rather stating the obvious about the 4/6 favourite.

Altior threat

The remainder of the field contains more than its share of interest and heading the opposition to the Willie Mullins inmate is the dual Champion Chase hero Altior who is looking for his fifth win at this meeting.

It is two years since Altior won his second Queen Mother and since then his cloak of invincibility has slipped somewhat.

In just four subsequent runs he has been beaten twice and his comeback at Kempton over Christmas suggested that his powers were weakening even though he was perfectly entitled to need his first run since February. In addition, the risk averse route that he has taken to this year’s race does little to engender confidence in his chances.

Spanish-bred

It will be fascinating to see what Nube Negra has to offer on his first outing since beating Altior at Kempton. On that occasion he had three and a half lengths to spare but the margin of victory does scant justice to his superiority.

The Spanish-bred went into Kempton as a smart-looking type who had quite a bit to find to make an impact against the top two-milers but that is just what he did.

He tends to go well fresh so an absence since then is of no concern and his yard has been in exceptional form of late. It is also worth noting that he has run well on two of his three previous visits to this track and the ease of that Kempton triumph was especially striking.

In would be a hark back to a different era if Wetherby’s Castleford Chase – once a Christmas staple for the likes of Waterloo Boy and Viking Flagship – were to produce this year’s Queen Mother winner.

Flow’s chances

First Flow won that race over the festive period before then propelling Kim Bailey back to the big time with a Clarence House Chase triumph at Ascot. He’s a major improver and has won his last six starts but he has got to make another jump forward.

At Ascot First Flow defeated last year’s Queen Mother winner, Politologue. For the last couple of seasons the latter has preceded a visit to Cheltenham with a below par effort so his Ascot run shouldn’t concern his supporters unduly. He can be relied upon to run his usual honourable race but it would be mildly surprising if he were to repeat last year’s victory.

Kettle on the boil

Also worth a mention is Put The Kettle On who will be looking to add to her victory over Fakir D’Oudairies in last year’s Arkle. She turned in a tremendously game effort to notch up another Cheltenham success on her comeback in November before having to settle for third behind Chacun Pour Soi at Leopardstown over Christmas. A course record of three wins from as many starts is noteworthy and entitles her to due consideration.

This race should fall to Chacun Pour Soi who has looked imperious this season. It would surely be a clash to live long in the memory if Altior were able to rekindle the spark of old but the suspicion is that a horse like Nube Negra might actually be the one that gives the favourite most to think about.

SELECTIONS:

1. Chacun Pour Soi

2. Nube Negra

3. Altior