Open to horses aged at least five, this is the biggest two mile chase around and with 12 fences to get over, pace and reliable jumping are paramount. Originally known as the National Hunt Two-Mile Champion Chase, this was first run back in 1959 but changed its name to the Queen Mother Champion Chase in 1980 to celebrate the late royal’s 80th birthday. Like her daughter, the current monarch, the Queen Mother was passionate about racing, in particular chases, and she was the owner of Game Spirit, who finished second in this race in 1976.
The 2023 Queen Mother Champion Chase could be a brilliant showdown between two of the most talented chasers in National Hunt horse racing. This is the biggest Cheltenham Festival horse race on Day Two of the meeting, with the leading two-milers going over the bigger obstacles at speed.
Shishkin was the winner of the Arkle Challenge Trophy last season and the Nicky Henderson will now be bidding to enjoy an Altior-style hat-trick. Having previously won the 2020 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, he has since kicked on to land the Arkle before lining up in the 2023 Queen Mother Champion Chase and the betting odds suggest he has a big chance.
There was a facile win for this Cheltenham Festival betting favourite in the Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase where Shishkin was sent off as 4/9 favourite, while the eight-year-old is an attractive bet to overcome allcomers in the 2023 Queen Mother Champion Chase although there’s an Irish pretender to the crown.
Energumene was not available to run in the 2021 Cheltenham Festival, with the Irish raider hoping to reach the March meeting unscathed. Willie Mullins will have high hopes that the eight-year-old can enjoy the biggest win of his racing career, with the horse obliging as 1/3 favourite over Christmas.
The horse won the Ryanair Novice Chase at Punchestown last spring and it’s clear that this horse is one of the Queen Mother betting odds favourites, while Chacun Pour Soi was sent off favourite for this race last year and can’t be easily discounted.