2026 Champion Chase

[Runragged]

Nice little race that in the 15:02

Inthepocket
Champ Kiely
Ile Atlantique
Only By Night

I think Inthepocket wasnt 100% right last season and feel that weight advantage will come into play here
I thought Champ Kiely was more of a 3 miler tbh, and could be using this as a opener. Want to see more from Only By Night before I back her this season.

I think Ile Atlantique is Willie 2 miler in this race, the DRF coming too soon after his win. Think he's the one to back in this race

Creditable run from Champ Kiely giving 11lb to Only By Night. See only WillHill have priced him up for the QM at a not so generous 25/1. Really looks a no mans land horse with a rating of 158. Could plunder lower graded races over any trip and prove a nice money spinner.

Inthepocket jumped well in the main. I would be amazed if connections don't look to capitalise on that juicy handicap mark of 149 though somewhere along the line.

 

[Lobos]

Grand Annual??

 

[Runragged]

Grand Annual??

Possibly. Being HDB trained then you would think 2m, though not sure he is slick enough for such a race. Think there are a few valuable 2m handicaps he could be aimed at in Ireland before then.

 

[opatcho]

Creditable run from Champ Kiely giving 11lb to Only By Night. See only WillHill have priced him up for the QM at a not so generous 25/1. Really looks a no mans land horse with a rating of 158. Could plunder lower graded races over any trip and prove a nice money spinner.

Inthepocket jumped well in the main. I would be amazed if connections don't look to capitalise on that juicy handicap mark of 149 though somewhere along the line.

Yeah, I thought he ran well considering it was over 2 mile aswell, plus the weight

I have a feeling they will step Champ Kiely back up to 3 miles, similar to Bandbridge after his first run.
Currently in the King George, but wouldn’t surprise me if they had a go at the Cotswolds chase. Just think he’s a grade below the top horses in Ireland and there could be some nice prize money to win over here - similar to what they did with Gaelic Warrior with wins at aintree and Sandown

He’s in my tracker

 

[Eggs]

Barry Connell is well aware that conditions will not be perfect for Marine Nationale if he makes his seasonal reappearance in the Bar One Racing Fortria Chase at Navan on Saturday, but he is keen to get his champion started.

The eight-year-old landed his second win at the Cheltenham Festival when strolling away with the Queen Mother Champion Chase in March and followed that up with an easy victory at Punchestown.

That left no doubt that he was leader of the division and Connell has had the Fortria picked out as his starting point for some time, but heavy rain in Ireland early in the week has now turned the ground testing.

“I was on the Curragh this morning and it was hammering down but the worst of it is due to go through today and the going at Navan is soft to heavy,” said Connell on Tuesday.

“The one good thing is that it is the first chase of the whole season at Navan so it will be completely fresh ground, it would be a different matter in January or February.

“We’re very keen to run, we’re all systems go really, and the forecast is suggesting it will dry out by the end of the week.

“It’s not ideal but I think he’ll go on any ground. He’s such a light-actioned horse that heavy ground isn’t ideal. But he’s in great form.

“He’s a speed horse and no real speed horse is at their best in heavy ground. He did win the Royal Bond on soft ground when it rained on the morning of the race and he got through it. What he wouldn’t like is tacky ground but with it being fresh it shouldn’t be.

“If the forecast is right and it’s not as wet towards the end of the week I’d say we’re almost certain to run.”