Day two of the Cheltenham Festival features the Queen Mother Champion Chase among its seven-race card. GG’s in-house tipster Joe Napier has four tips in all, one of which comes in the feature to take on hot favourite Jonbon…
2.40 Cheltenham – Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle
While the fact that he’s had exactly the same 73-day break as last year’s winner Langer Dan is a coincidence, it may nevertheless be a wise ploy from Joesph O’Brien to be bringing COMFORT ZONE in here fresh. The six-year-old has only had one hurdles start since August, but these potentially represent his ideal race conditions.
He was third to Stayers’ Hurdle contender The Wallpark when third at Galway last summer, but has won on the flat at Naas since. He has since finished a close third in a competitive handicap at Leopardstown over Christmas and has likely been campaigned with the Cheltenham Festival in mind.
As a Grade 2 juvenile winner at this track back in January 2023, he could easily have more to offer, while he was also a close third to Lossiemouth that season too. Connections know exactly what it takes to get one well-handicapped and he looks to have a fine chance.
Join our 20k+ subscribers to receive the latest horse racing news, offers, and expert tips directly in your inbox — 100% free!
3.20 Cheltenham – Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
Stumptown was undeniably impressive here at the December meeting and he is now three from four in cross country races. However, the handicapper missed very little that day and even as a specialist, conceding weight all-round to some talented horses could prove tricky for one who was only a high level handicapper over regulation fences.
There are Grade 1 winners in attendance here though, and GALVIN gets 3lb from the favourite, which might tell. He is now an 11-year-old, so age might count against him, but he has always been a very good horse fresh, so the 144-day break since he finished second in the American Grand National is not expected to hinder him.
He was sent off favourite for a Gold Cup once upon a time, while he was also second in this when it was an open contest in 2023, as well as fourth in the Grand National last season. Jack Kennedy won this on Delta Work in 2022, so knows how to plot his way around here, and he may still possess the class to get this done.
4.00 Cheltenham – BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1)
Nobody could begrudge Jonbon a Cheltenham Festival victory, but the nine-year-old’s Cheltenham record is patchy, with his victories here coming against decidedly inferior opposition. Although this is not the strongest renewal of the Champion Chase, he can still be taken on.
Top of the list is MARINE NATIONALE, of whom Barry Connell has never hidden his admiration. Ridden by the late Michael O’Sullivan to victory in the 2023 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, he would be a highly emotional winner and may just be about to peak at the right time.
He has only won one of his five chases, but he has placed twice in Grade 1 company this campaign when unable to peg back the tearaway Solness. However, that front-runner will struggle to repeat the trick at Cheltenham, whereas the selection should be ridden with the ideal amount of restraint to pounce at the right time.
Queen Mother Champion Chase Tips: Take On Jonbon With 16/1 Outsider
All eyes will be on Jonbon at 4pm on Wednesday 12th March, as the Nicky Henderson-trained star bids for a first Cheltenham Festival success in the Queen Mother Champion Chase. The Seven Barrows inmate has been the dominant two-miler this season, but has failed to get his head in front at this meeting before, and…
Tue 11 Mar 20254.40 Cheltenham – Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase
He is enigmatic, but AMERICAN MIKE remains well-handicapped based on his best efforts. This is a horse who has beaten both Fact To File and Nick Rockett off level weights, with both of those rivals now rated well beyond 160, while Gordon Elliott’s charge has a British mark of 148 here.
That owes to the fact that Gordon Elliott may still have been searching for his best trip until this season. He beat Fact To File over 2m4f, and Nick Rockett over 3m on heavy ground, which is extraordinary given he now shapes more as a horse who prefers a test at 2m on a sounder surface, which he will get here.
He has been close up in 2m1f handicaps at Fairyhouse the last twice, but this bigger field scenario could be exactly what he needs to come into the reckoning. With five places on offer almost across the board, he is at least expected to fill one of those.
Looking For More Racing Info? Check Out Our Racecards & Top Tips Sections
Make sure you’re following us on all our social media platforms to keep up to date with all the latest horse racing news and the best tips.