Queen Mother Champion Chase - Cheltenham Festival Day Two, 15.30

Formerly known as the RSA Chase, this race is a Grade One National Hunt chase which is open to horses aged five or older. Again run on the Old Course it is run over a distance of just over three miles and there are usually twenty fences to be jumped. Last year saw L’Homme Presse make short work of his rivals to justify favourtism and give the UK a third win in the last four renewals of this race.

When looking at stats for this race favourites have won five of the last eleven renewals. The last seven winners of this race have all been prominent in the betting market on the day and there have only been two double-figured priced winners of the race in the last ten years (O’Faolain’s Boy at 12 in 2014 and Boston Angel in 2011). Only one six-year-old has won the race in the last decade whereby there have been two eight-year-old winners and seven seven-year-old winners. The UK trainers have a better recent record in this race than their Irish counterparts and have taken five of the last seven renewals.

The Brown Advisory Novices’ Steeple Chase Runners

Adamantly Chosen

The first of five Willie Mullins runners. Ridden here by Brian Hayes and was 4 1/2L behind Gerri Colombe at Limerick on Boxing Day over 2m 3 1/2F. Not disgraced since in a grade one at Dublin Racing Festival when runner up to Mighty Potter over 2m 5f. Steps up in trip here and has stamina to prove.

Amirite

Henry De Bromhead’s seven year old has a bit to find with Ramillies on his latest form and is the bottom rated of the eleven runners here. Rachael Blackmore rides and will need to improve to be involved in finish.

Bronn

Ran Gerri Colombe to 2 3/4L on fencing debut at Fairyhouse last November and has since landed the odds in a three runner chase at the same track by a neck. Trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Daryl Jacob for the double green silks of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede. Up in trip here and has place claims at a big price.

Gerri Colombe

Trained by Gordon Elliott and there’s been plenty of talk of this strapping gelding being his banker for the week. Unbeaten in seven starts under rules (8 if you include his Irish point to point win). An out and out stayer who found the 2m 4F at Sandown in the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase on the short side but still stayed on well to win well under Jason Gainford who keeps the ride today. Everything in his favour and will be hard to beat.

I Am Maximus

Another Willie Mullins runner. This time ridden by Danny Mullins. Formerly trained in England by Nicky Henderson and has shown plenty of promise without winning in three novice chases in Ireland. Yet to race at three miles and will need that factor to improve him to get within hailing distance of the principals today.

Ramillies

Ridden by Bryan Cooper for Willie Mullins. Lost the race in the stewards room last time when first past the post at Naas in January having previously won on his chase debut. Has 9lb to find on official ratings and holds each way claims.

Sir Gerhard

The pick of Paul Townend of the Willie Mullins five runners. Has won at the last two Festivals in the Champion Bumper and the Ballymore Novice Hurdle. Made a belated fencing debut at Gowran Park in January when beating his two rivals by 38L and more despite an early blunder at the third. That was over two miles and the furthest he’s raced over is when winning the Ballymore over 2M 5F at last years Festival (although he did win a three mile point-to-point). Classy sort who should be thereabouts if staying this longer trip.

The Real Whacker

Runs here in preference to an ambitious tilt at the Gold Cup on Friday. Appears to have improved for a change of stables having won both his novice chases here. Beat Monmiral last time and will need to improve on that to be involved today. Trained by Patrick Neville and ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies. Likes the track and holds each way claims.

Thunder Rock

Held by both The Real Whacker and Gerri Colombe and Olly Murphy’s charge will need the step up in trip here from 2m 4f to 3m to give him a chance of turning the tables. Aidan Heskin takes the ride for owner Max McNeill.

Thyme Hill

Officially rated the best of these eleven runners. A former top class staying hurdler who ran second in last years stayers hurdle. Has won two of his three efforts over fences winning the grade 1 Kauto Star at Kempton on Boxing Day by 15L from McFabulous who finished lame. That form is hard to assess and as the oldest horse in the field may not have as much improvement as some. Trained by Philip Hobbs and Johnson White and will be ridden here by Michael Nolan.

Galia Des Liteaux

The only mare in the race so can claim a healthy 7lb sex allowance. Dan Skelton’s mare has won two of her three starts over fences and bounced back to form when an easy winner at Warwick of the Hampton Novices’ Chase in January. Ridden today by Dan’s brother Harry and has a solid each way chance on the soft ground that she loves.

The Brown Advisory Novices’ Steeple Chase Tips

Favourite Gerri Colombe has plenty going for him and will relish the step up in trip here and can remain unbeaten for Gordon Elliott and Jordan Gainford. He’ll love both trip and ground. Sir Gerhard is the interesting runner in the race but does lack chasing experience having only run the once over the big obstacles. The only mare in the race Galia Des Liteaux will love conditions and can also make the frame.