2014 Queen Mother Champion Chase

[Yeehaa]

I have no interest in this race without Sprinter. Will be one for the worst winners thread if he isn't back. 10lbs off his best would still be an easy win.

[Old Vic]

Entries

[Old Vic]

Sprinter Sacre heads 26 entries for BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase
9th January 2014
–
Sprinter Sacre , the highest-rated Jump horse in training, headlines 26 entries for the £350,000 BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase, the Grade One highlight on the second day of The
Festival, Ladies’ Day, Wednesday, March 12.

Nicky Henderson’s charge is the 4/7 favourite with sponsor BetVictor to become the 12th dual winner of the two-mile chasing championship following a faultless 19-length demolition of Sizing Europe
in last season’s renewal. Sprinter Sacre went on to complete a memorable Grade One spring Festival hat-trick with victories in Aintree’s Melling Chase and Punchestown’s equivalent of the Champion Chase, but this season has not gone to plan.

The eight-year-old missed his intended reappearance in the BetVictor Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown Park on December 7 due to an unsatisfactory tracheal was h and was pulled up at halfway in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton Park on December 27. Post-race tests revealed he had an irregular heartbeat, but subsequent analysis indicated the problem had corrected itself.

With Sprinter Sacre absent or below par, last season’s Grade Two Celebration Chase scorer Sire De Grugy (3/1) has established himself as a leading two-mile chaser with three victories from four starts this term. Gary Moore’s eight-year-old stable star made light work of his rivals under top-weight at Chepstow in October and, after failing to concede 10lb to Kid Cassidy in the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham in November, has come home the decisive winner of both the Grade One BetVictor Tingle Creek Chase and the Grade Two Desert Orchid Chase.

Other notable British-trained contenders include four-time Grade One victor Captain Conan
(12/1), also trained by Henderson, unbeaten novice Dodging Bullets , from Paul Nicholls’ Somerset stables, and Grade Two BetVictor Haldon Gold Cup scorer, the Mick Channon-trained Somersby
(14/1).

Henry de Bromhead is responsible for two of the nine Irish-trained entries, headed by 2011 Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Sizing Europe , who has only finished out of the first two once in five starts at The Festival.

The 12-year-old also captured the 2010 Racing Post Arkle Chase and has filled the runner-up spot in the last two renewals of the BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase. He made a successful reappearance at Gowran Park in October, but proved no match for Roi Du Mee when second in the three-mile Champion Chase at Down Royal in November or when fourth to Benefficient (10/1) after being dropped back sharply in trip at Leopardstown on December 27.

De Bromhead reported: “Hopefully, Sizing Europe will run in either the BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase or the Ryanair Chase. They are provisional entries and we are not leaning either way at this stage. “He has been fine since his run at Leopardstown. He was a little disappointing and didn’t really attack his fences as he normally does, but there were various reasons with the ground being the main one. He will go straight to Cheltenham now and hopefully he can bounce back.”
Sizing Europe is joined among the entries by his improving stable companion Special Tiara , who sprung a surprise when beating Overturn in the Grade One Maghull Novices’ Chase at Aintree in April. The lightly- raced seven-year-old unseated Bryan Cooper on his seasonal return at Naas in October, but bounced back with an encouraging third to Kid Cassidy and Sire De Grugy in the Shloer Chase at The Open . De Bromhead added: “The BetVictor Champion Chase is a race we are very much looking at for Special Tiara. We were delighted with his run at Cheltenham where the ground there was still a little bit soft for him. “He has been in great form since then and we were going to run him at Christmas, but the ground went against him everywhere, so we decided to wait. “He’s in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot next Sat urday (January 18) and he might go there depending on ground or otherwise he will run in the Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown at the beginning of February.”

The Irish contingent also features the Willie Mullins-trained pair of Arvika Ligeonniere (14/1) and
Twinlight (14/1), last season’s Racing Post Arkle Chase runner-up Baily Green , dual Festival scorer
Alderwood and Paddy Power Gold Cup third Hidden Cyclone (12/1).

BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase – BetVictor bet:
4/7 Sprinter Sacre,
3/1 Sire De Grugy,
10/1 Benefficient,
12/1 Captain Conan, Hidden Cyclone,
14/1 Arvika Ligeonniere, Twinlight, Somersby,
20s bar. ¼ the odds 1-2-3.
BetVictor is offering non-runner, free bet on the BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase
.
Charlie McCann of BetVictor commented: “We are delighted with the quality and quantity of entries for
the BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase and look forward to watching Sprinter Sacre defend his crown in March following the upbeat veterinary bulletin last week.
“There is a strong Irish entry with former winner Sizing Europe, last year’s Jewson Novices’ Chase winner Benefficient and the unexposed Twinlight of particular interest and Paul Nicholls, who has saddled the winner of the race on four previous occasions, has entered four including exciting novices Dodging Bullets and Hinterland.”

Timeform Ratings for the Champion Chase (weight-adjusted)
203p SPRINTER SACRE
178 AL FEROF
177+ SIRE DE GRUGY
176 ARVIKA LIGEONNIERE
173 RIVERSIDE THEATRE
171+ BENEFFICIENT
171 SOMERSBY
170 HIDDEN CYCLONE
167+ CAPTAIN CONAN
167 OISEAU DE NUIT

[Old Vic]

Breakdown of Entries by Trainer

4 entries
Nicky Henderson – Captain Conan, French Opera, Kid Cassidy, Sprinter Sacre
Paul Nicholls – Al Ferof, Dodging Bullets, Hinterland, Kauto Stone

2 entries
Henry de Bromhead IRE – Sizing Europe, Special Tiara
Tony Martin IRE – Benefficient, Savello
Willie Mullins IRE – Arvika Ligeonniere, Twinlight

1 entry
David Bridgwater – Oscar Hill
Mick Channon - Somersby
Tom George – Module
John Hanlon IRE – Hidden Cyclone
Philip Hobbs – Wishfull Thinking
Gary Moore – Sire De Grugy
Mouse Morris IRE – Baily Green
Tom Mullins IRE - Alderwood
Richard Rowe -Tataniano
Colin Tizzard – Oiseau De Nuit
Nigel Twiston-Davies – Astracad
Venetia Williams - Upepi

[Old Vic]

BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase entries with previous Festival form

Year Race Pos Jockey SP

Al Ferof (Paul Nicholls)
2010 Weatherbys Champion Bumper 2nd Ruby Walsh 8/1
2011 Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle 1st Ruby Walsh 10/1
2012 Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase 4th Ruby Walsh 3/1

Alderwood (Tom Mullins IRE)
2012 Vincent O'Brien County Handicap Hurdle 1st A P McCoy 20/1
2013 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase 1st A P Mc Coy 3/1f

Arvika Ligeonniere (Willie Mullins IRE)

2010 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle 4th Davy Condon 28/1
2013 Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase PU Ruby Walsh 15/2

Astracad (Nigel Twiston-Davies)
2011 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' H’cap Hurdle 14th Sam Twiston-Davies 14/1
2012 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase 7th Sam Twiston-Davies 11/2

Baily Green (Mouse Morris IRE)
2013 Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase 2nd David Casey 33/1

Benefficient (Tony Martin IRE)
2012 Neptune Investment Management Nov' H 10th Bryan Cooper 14/1
2013 JLT Novices' Chase 1st Bryan Cooper 20/1

Captain Conan (Nicky Henderson)
2013 JLT Novices' Chase 5th Barry Geraghty 5/1

Dodging Bullets (Paul Nicholls)
2012 JCB Triumph Hurdle 4th Daryl Jacob 20/1
2013 Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle 9th Daryl Jacob 12/1

French Opera (Nicky Henderson)
2009 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase 3rd Marcus Foley 10/1
2010 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase 2nd David Bass 10/1
2011 BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase 6th Andrew Tinkler 22/1
2012 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase F Jeremiah McGrath 16/1
2013 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase 8th Barry Geraghty 20/1

Kauto Stone (Paul Nicholls)
2012 BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase F Ruby Walsh 14/1

Kid Cassidy (Nicky Henderson)
2012 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase 12th A P McCoy 4/1f
2013 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase 2nd Jeremiah McGrath 12/1

Module (Tom George)
2013 JLT Novices' Chase 4th Paddy Brennan 16/1

Oiseau De Nuit (Colin Tizzard)
2010 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase PU Giles Hawkins 8/1
2011 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase 1st Steven Clements 40/1
2012 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase BD Steven Clements 14/1
2013 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase 3rd Brendan Powell 33/1

Sizing Europe (Henry de Bromhead IRE)
2008 Stan James Champion Hurdle 14th A J Mcnamara 2/1f
2010 Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase 1st Andrew Lynch 6/1
2011 BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase 1st Andrew Lynch 10/1
2012 BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase 2nd Andrew Lynch 4/5f
2013 BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase 2nd Andrew Lynch 6/1

Somersby (Mick Channon)

2009 Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle 3rd Dominic Elsworth 40/1
2010 Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase 2nd Robert Thornton 4/1
2011 BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase 5th Robert Thornton 8/1
2012 Ryanair Chase 7th Dominic Elsworth 5/1
2013 Sportingbet Queen Mother Champion Chase UR Dominic Elsworth 33/1

Sprinter Sacre (Nicky Henderson)
2011 Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle 3rd A P McCoy 11/1
2012 Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase 1st Barry Geraghty 8/11f
2013 BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase 1st Barry Geraghty 1/4f

Tataniano (Richard Rowe)
2013 BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase 5th Andrew Thornton 100/1

Wishfull Thinking (Philip Hobbs)
2010 Coral Cup F Giles Hawkins 9/1
2011 JLT Novices' Chase 2nd Richard Johnson 7/2f
2012 BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase F Richard Johnson 16/1
2013 BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase 3rd Richard Johnson 25/1

[Old Vic]

Record of trainers with entries in the BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase (since 1994 plus any winners beforehand)

Year Pos Horse Jockey SP

David Bridgwater (Oscar Hill)
No previous runners

Henry de Bromhead IRE (Sizing Europe, Special Tiara)
2011 1st Sizing Europe Andrew Lynch 10/1
2012 2nd Sizing Europe Andrew Lynch 4/5f
2013 2nd Sizing Europe Andrew Lynch 6/1

Mick Channon (Somersby)
2013 UR Somersby Dominic Elsworth 33/1

Tom George (Module)
2013 6th Mail de Bievre Paddy Brennan 20/1

John Hanlon IRE (Hidden Cyclone)
No previous runners

Nicky Henderson (Captain Conan, French Opera, Kid Cassidy, Sprinter Sacre)
1992 1st Remittance Man Jamie Osborne Evsf
1994 2nd Travado Jamie Osborne 100/30
1994 F Remittance Man Mick Fitzgerald 11/4f
1995 8th Travado Richard Dunwoody 9/2
1996 4th Travado Mick Fitzgerald 16/1
2002 5th Tiutchev Mick Fitzgerald 5/1
2003 4th Geos Mick Fitzgerald 25/1
2009 3rd Petit Robin Barry Geraghty 12/1
2011 10th Mad Max Paul Carberry 20/1
2011 6th French Opera Andrew Tinkler 22/1
2012 1st Finian's Rainbow Barry Geraghty 4/1
2013 1st Sprinter Sacre Barry Geraghty 1/4f

Philip Hobbs (Wishfull Thinking)
2002 1st Flagship Uberalles Richard Johnson 7/4f
2003 5th Flagship Uberalles Richard Johnson 12/1
2004 2nd Flagship Uberalles Richard Johnson 14/1
2008 3rd Fair Along Richard Johnson 12/1
2012 F Wishfull Thinking Richard Johnson 16/1
2013 3rd Wishfull Thinking Richard Johnson 25/1

Tony Martin IRE (Benefficient, Savello)
No previous runners

Gary Moore (Sire De Grugy)
No previous runners

Mouse Morris IRE (Baily Green)
1986 1st Buck House Tommy Carmody 5/2
2006 2nd Fota Island (IRE) A P McCoy 4/1

Tom Mullins IRE
No previous runners

Willie Mullins IRE (Arvika Ligeonniere, Twinlight)
2003 8th Florida Pearl (IRE) Paul Carberry 12/1
2009 5th Scotsirish (IRE) Paul Townend 40/1
2010 6th Golden Silver (FR) Paul Townend 33/1
2011 4th Golden Silver (FR) Paul Townend 11/1

Paul Nicholls (Al Ferof, Dodging Bullets, Hinterland, Kauto Stone)
1999 1st Call Equiname Mick Fitzgerald 7/2
1999 4th Green Green Desert Joe Tizzard 40/1
2000 3rd Flagship Uberalles Joe Tizzard 11/10f
2002 10th Desert Mountain Joe Tizzard 50/1
2002 3rd Cenkos Timmy Murphy 66/1
2002 8th Fadalko Ruby Walsh 14/1
2003 3rd Cenkos Ruby Walsh 7/1
2003 7th Kadarann Joe Tizzard 9/1
2004 1st Azertyuiop Ruby Walsh 15/8
2004 4th Cenkos Mick Fitzgerald 16/1
2004 5th Venn Ottery Timmy Murphy 33/1
2005 3rd Azertyuiop Ruby Walsh 2/1
2005 5th Kadarann Paddy Brennan 100/1
2005 PU Cenkos Joe Tizzard 100/1
2006 F Kauto Star Ruby Walsh 2/1f
2008 1st Master Minded Ruby Walsh 3/1
2008 6th Twist Magic Sam Thomas 5/1
2009 1st Master Minded Ruby Walsh 4/11f
2009 F Twist Magic Sam Thomas 16/1
2010 4th Master Minded Ruby Walsh 4/5f
2010 PU Twist Magic Robert Thornton 8/1
2011 10th Woolcombe Folly Daryl Jacob 7/1
2011 8th Master Minded Ruby Walsh 2/1f
2012 F Kauto Stone Ruby Walsh 14/1
2013 4th Sanctuaire Ruby Walsh 20/1

Richard Rowe (Tataniano)
2013 5th Tataniano Andrew Thornton 100/1

Colin Tizzard (Oiseau De Nuit)
No previous runners

Nigel Twiston-Davies (Astracad)
2006 F Fundamentalist Carl Llewellyn 16/1
2009 6th Mahogany Blaze Paddy Brennan 40/1
2010 F Mahogany Blaze Paddy Brennan 66/1

Venetia Williams (Upepito)
2000 4th The Outback Way Timmy Murphy 14/1
2000 F Nordance Prince Richard Johnson 14/1
2002 11th Nordance Prince Norman Williamson

[Old Vic]

Will Hayler tips Sire De Grugy

http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/article/465/9108287/sire-a-champion-bet

The lack of an entry for Cue Card leaves Sire De Grugy - whose trainer and jockey have both expressed concerns over the track for their star performer - as being the only other horse trading at less than double-figures.

My long-term reader (Thanks Mum) will know that I've been a huge fan of this horse all season long and have as a result collected three out of four times. Maybe he doesn't owe me anything more now, but I'm still not convinced we've seen the best of him over fences.

He's far more fluent at his fences when racing at a faster pace and all but pulled himself up when clearly in front far too soon after Sprinter Sacre's departure at Kempton last time out - anyone who constructs their case against him by taking a literal reading of that victory over Oiseau De Nuit is barking up the wrong tree.

Is he happier on a flatter track? Well, possibly, but he's definitely capable of jumping better than when beaten by Kid Cassidy at this track at the Open meeting and I'm sure that Jamie Moore wouldn't be as quick to chase down Special Tiara (likely to reoppose here, according to Henry De Bromhead, and in the process ensure the field goes a good gallop in the early stages) should the circumstances arise again.

Sire De Grugy did not get the credit he deserved for winning the Tingle Creek Chase and although beating Somersby and Captain Conan by four and three lengths probably isn't form that's good enough to win most Champion Chases, this isn't most Champion Chases.

Captain Conan is a 12/1 chance and that's a fair price if he lines up, but he'll surely swerve a clash with stablemate Sprinter Sacre.

Sizing Europe takes the eye at a remarkable 25/1, given his Festival record and the fact that he was second-best behind Sprinter Sacre last year.

He's been bitterly disappointing in his last couple of starts and looked to have an unneccesarily hard time last time when unconvincing at his fences at Leopardstown over Christmas.

But the return to the home of jumps racing, spring ground and a bit of sun on his back might just make all the difference to Sizing Europe. Yes he's 12 now, but Moscow Flyer won this at 11 and I don't think I'd want to be a layer at that price.

Arvika Ligeonniere has been mooted for this race by both Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh and undoubtedly has plenty of talent.

However I don't like the fact that when he gets out of rhythm at his fences or when coming under maximum pressure, the long, raking stride he uses so effectively in the middle of his races suddenly starts to look a hinderance rather than a help, as was the case both last time out behind Benefficient and at last year's Festival.

Al Ferof rates a most interesting option for those betting with bookmakers offering concessions on non-runners. Realistically, he looks far more likely to take his chance in the Ryanair or the Gold Cup, but might just enjoy bowling around here in a fast-run two miles, especially if the going is soft.

Benefficient's starting point in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby hardly suggested that connections saw him as a two-mile prospect this season, but it's worth remembering that one of the owners suggested rather publicly after victory in last year's Jewson Chase that with hindsight they wished they'd gone for the Arkle.

However, it's not hard to crab the form of his victory in the Dial-A-Bet with Sizing Europe below-par and Kid Cassidy running no sort of race.

Runner-up Hidden Cyclone, whose trainer unsuccessfully appealed to get the race on appeal, is a decent enough horse but was held fair and square by Johns Spirit and Colour Squadron in the Paddy Power Chase on his previous start. Can that sort of form really be good enough here?

It seems to go against the grain to advise a selection at 4/1 who isn't even guaranteed to line up, but I really do think Sire De Grugy is the most solid selection in this race.

Even if Sprinter Sacre makes it to the line-up, Sire De Grugy isn't going to be sent off at a much bigger price having been returned at 4/1 against the same rival when taking the Desert Orchid Chase.

Gary Moore has been fairly lukewarm on the race in every interview on the Champion Chase, but that's his style - he's not the sort of man to shout his chances from the rooftops.

Prize money seems to be a driving force in the decision-making process, and as Moore said at the start of the season, there are undoubtedly big pots to be won in France, but probably not as big as the first prize of £199,325 for this contest.

I think Sire De Grugy will run in the Champion Chase, I think the race will be run to suit him and I think he'll give backers who take the 4/1 now (even bigger available in a couple of places) a really good run for their money whether Sprinter Sacre runs or not.

[Lester]

I have no interest in this race without Sprinter. Will be one for the worst winners thread if he isn't back. 10lbs off his best would still be an easy win.

Timeform numbers backing that up 25lbs in hand !

A race I won't need to bet into to enjoy. Nothing like a top notch two mile chaser in full flight.

[mayo]

Pricewise tips Alderwood.

Last quote I have is Tom Mullins on 14 January which wouldnt have you rushing to back him

“He was lucky at Naas because after he skidded and picked up the fracture he did a circuit. With hindsight it would have been better to have pulled him up. It’s great to have him back and even though it might be a bit of rush, we’re aiming to take him back to Cheltenham. He obviously likes the place!” the Co Kilkenny-based trainer said yesterday. “He’s been back here for about two weeks. I don’t know if I’ll be able to get a race into him before going across but he was actually out for only six weeks so we’re hopeful we can get him there,” he added. “At the moment I’ve no preference for him for any race at Cheltenham.”

You cant argue with his festival form but would have thought Kid Cassidy has better claims if you can forgive his last run.

[Moscow]

Not a lot of depth in this division at the minute. Sire De Grugy has been brillantly placed by the Moores and they are right to make hay while Sprinter is away. Will he come back though ? The Henderson yard form still looks patchy at best. Tom Symonds, Conor Murphy and Ben Pauling were all big cogs in the operation there and all gone in recent seasons.

[Old Vic]

I think Sprinter Sacre due to step up work this week with Game Spirit on Saturday week mentioned as a possible target.

[Hoof]

I think Sprinter Sacre due to step up work this week with Game Spirit on Saturday week mentioned as a possible target.

Was this morning http://www.fatjockey.com/forum/showt...he-Jumps/page7

[Old Vic]

Yep. Talking about going for a racecourse gallop rather than a race in RP this evening.

[mayo]

Arvika impressive

Ruby

"He travelled extremely well," said the rider, a Tied Cottage Chase winner on Nickname in 2007.

"He was brave at a few of his fences, but that's just him and two-milers for you. It was a really good performance and I don't see going left-handed being an issue anymore."

[Morning Glory]

Arvika impressive

Ruby

"He travelled extremely well," said the rider, a Tied Cottage Chase winner on Nickname in 2007.

"He was brave at a few of his fences, but that's just him and two-milers for you. It was a really good performance and I don't see going left-handed being an issue anymore."

Not Cheltenham is it.