Jonbon tops eight chasing Champion crown

Hot favourite Jonbon and previous winners Captain Guinness and Energumene are among eight runners declared for the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham on Wednesday.

Although beaten in two previous Festival appearances, having chased home stablemate Constitution Hill in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle three years ago and El Fabiolo in the Arkle the following season, Nicky Henderson’s Jonbon is a odds-on across the board to make it third time lucky at the showpiece meeting.

The JP McManus-owned nine-year-old did not take part in last year’s Champion Chase, but has since established himself as the leading light in the division by winning his second Shloer Chase at Cheltenham, his second Tingle Creek at Sandown and his first Clarence House Chase at Ascot.

Energumene provided Willie Mullins and Paul Townend with back-to-back victories in this race in 2022 and 2023, but was unable to bid for the hat-trick last term due to injury.

The 11-year-old returned from a year and a half off the track with victory in the Hilly Way at Cork in December, but was firmly put in his place by Jonbon at Ascot in January.

Henry de Bromhead’s Captain Guinness struck gold 12 months in a race which saw only three of the six runners complete the course. Following a largely disappointing season thus far, he is among the outsiders this time around.

Solness has shown the best form in Ireland so far this season, dominating two Grade One races from the front at Leopardstown for Joseph O’Brien.

Marine Nationale finished third and second in those races and his owner-trainer Barry Connell will be hoping he can turn the tables at the scene of his brilliant Supreme Novices’ Hurdle victory of two years ago under the late Michael O’Sullivan.

De Bromhead’s Quilixios and Gordon Elliott’s Found A Fifty complete the Irish challenge, with the Evan Williams-trained Libberty Hunter carrying Welsh hopes.