Cheltenham Champion Chase Tips – Energumene v Edwardstone

We have Cheltenham Champion Chase tips for you as our panel of racing experts discuss how one of the big races at The Festival will pan out.

Cheltenham Champion Chase Tips

It’s a tight market for the big one on day two and the BoyleSports Preview Night panel were divided on whether Energumene is the right favourite.

Cheltenham Champion Chase Naps

David Casey – Energumene @ 13/8 with BoyleSports

Denis O’Regan – Edwardstone @ 7/4 with BoyleSports

Peter Fahey – Energumene @ 13/8 with BoyleSports

Robbie Power – Editeur Du Gite @ 6/1 with BoyleSports

Cheltenham Champion Chase Preview

David Casey

“I think the Clarence House Chase was run wrongly and the position Energumene was in throughout the race didn’t suit him. I thought the horse on his outside was jumping left and he made a mistake at the first and I don’t think it was because of the white fence, but that set up the race for him. I think there is plenty of improvement fitness wise.

He has been working so easy at home. Editeur Du Gite has no chance. I do respect Edwardstone, but I’m sticking with Energumene. The race could change hugely if Blue Lord goes to the Ryanair.”

Denis O’Regan

“When Energumene made a mistake at the last he didn’t get involved in the battle of the Clarence House Chase. You could see that the way he was jumping through the race he couldn’t lengthen and jump, he was caught in behind one. He looked out of rhythm. 

“The ground at that meeting in Cheltenham is always absolutely horrible and I have always hated a horse that had a hard race at that meeting. The only thing I’d be nervous about with Edwardstone is the ground he made up from the bend to the last fence was incredible. I didn’t rate him that highly until I saw that turn of foot.

He just got caught following Paul (Townend) and basically forgot about the horse in front. When he realised he could beat Paul he was gone out after the winner. Energumene didn’t get a hard race and didn’t get into battle at all and he would want soft ground. I would give Edwardstone a better chance on better ground if it turns out not as soft as last year. 

“He won’t be dropped out this time and he was only dropped out the last time at Cheltenham because he fell early in Kempton, and they just wanted to hunt him round.”

Keep up to date with all our Cheltenham Festival coverage as we keep you updated with all the latest betting odds, tips and news in the lead up to the biggest festival of them all.

Peter Fahey

“You can always forgive Energumene one run. Everything went wrong throughout the race. He is a class above the others in this race.”

Robbie Power

“I don’t think I could give Energumene the benefit of the doubt at his price. He won a very ordinary Champion Chase last year on very soft ground and we know how well he handles soft ground. On goodish ground I can’t see him reversing the form with Edwardstone and Editeur Du Gite.

“I thought Edwardstone got a brilliant ride the last day. He was nursed there and got to the front half way up the hill and the other horse battled him. I think Editeur Du Gite around Cheltenham is a different kettle of fish. He is obviously a better horse this season and I think on good ground he will be hard to beat.

I can’t see Gentleman De Mee forcing him the whole way. He will be happy to take a lead off him and sit close to him. Editeur Du Gite goes a really good gallop and he doesn’t give up. He is relentless and I think he is good enough to win a Champion Chase. He beat Energumene and Edwardstone the last day, so that proves he is good enough. He has a big chance.”

Cheltenham Champion Chase Betting Favourites

Edwardstone – Champion Chase Joint Favourite 7/4

Last time out the nine-year-old gelding was second on the 28th of January over the 2-mile ½ a furlong trip in Cheltenham to Editeur Du Gite by a head. Previous to that race we saw Edwardstone on the 27th of December 2022 where he again lost out to Editeur Du Gite over the 2-mile trip in Kempton when jockey Tom Cannon was unseated at the 5th.

This horse’s last victory came on the 3rd of December 2022 where he won at Sandown over a 1-mile 7/2 furlong trip as a 5/1 shot. Trainer Alan King will be hoping Edwardstone, the current 7/4 favourite, has what it takes to get back to winning ways at this year’s Champion Chase.

Energumene – Champion Chase Joint Favourite 7/4

The defending champion of this race after his dominant performance at the 2022 Cheltenham Festival. In his most recent outing the nine-year-old gelding was third when running at Cheltenham Festival Trials Day on the 28th of January race coming in-behind Editeur Du Gite and Edwardstone.

Prior to that race Energumene had won an impressive 3 on-the-spin dating back from victory in this event last year during Cheltenham 2022 which ended with the horses last victory coming on the 1st December 2022 in Cork.

Most impressively the horses three victories in-a-row came at a staggering accumulative thirty-two length margin-of-victory! The W-P Mullins trained Energumne is joint 7/4 co-favourite to reclaim the Champion Chase.

Editeur Du Gite– Champion Chase Third Favourite 6/1

Last time out the nine-year-old gelding beat the aforementioned market leaders Edwardstone and Energumene by a head and 6.5 lengths respectfully on the 28th of January at Cheltenham. This was the horses second win on-the-spin after also winning over the 2-mile-trip in Kempton on the 27th of December 2022.

However, prior to these two recent wins this horse’s form was not as convincing. During Cheltenham 2022 he came 4th in a sixteen horse-field in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3), the horse was pulled-up on the 8th of April in Aintree and was 3rd in a 7-horse-field on the 22nd of October in Cheltenham.

The Gary Moore trained Editeur Du Gite is currently a 6/1 shot as he bids to make it three wins in a row at the Champion Chase.

Gentleman De Mee –  8/1

The last time we saw Gentleman De Mee was when the seven-year-old gelding returned to form after three without a win by winning over the 2 mile 1 furlong trip in Leopardstown on the 5th of February, beating Blue Lord by seven lengths.

This was a mammoth 48th length swing from the horses previous outing on the 27th of December 2022 when it came 6th out of 7 horses and forty-one lengths behind winner Blue Lord. The W-P Mullins trained horse-team will be looking to land owner JP McManus his first ever Champion Chase victory and you can currently back Gentleman De Mee at 8/1 to land the spoils.

Blue Lord – 10/1

The eight-year-old gelding enters the race after it’s aforementioned second place finish to Gentleman De Mee on the 5th of February having being beaten by seven lengths on that occasion.

Prior to this race Blue Lord had won three on-the-spin including a victory in Punchestown on the 28th of April 2022, a victory in Clonmel on the 17th of November 2022 and a win at Leopardstown on the 27th of December 2022. That most recent victory was the most impressive of the lot as he dominated the field en route to winning by an impressive 11 lengths ahead of second-placed Captain Guinness.

Despite this horse’s 3rd place finish during last year’s festival in the Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) – Blue Lord remains a major player to land the Champion Chase for W-P Mullins at 10/1.

Click Below For All Our Champion Chase Odds

*Prices subject to fluctuation

Remember, always gamble responsibly. Here’s our Safer Gambling Guide.