2023 Champion Chase

[Craigy14]

I’d say he has to be winning to have any serious chance come March. I know he’s giving lumps of weight away but as MS has said would you expect Energumene to beat that field, immediate response is yes without hesitation.

Greaneteen managed to give lumps of weight and win comfortably. It’s a far from ideal starting point for Edwardstone that’s for sure.

[Stormez]

If Energumene was in that race giving the weight away, you’d expect him to win, no?

I’d back him to give 20lbs to that lot

[Benjy23]

I don't see it that way at all Benjy. I'd be very impressed if he won tomorrow and I reckon a few more would be as well. His price would move a fair bit for March. Will he win though...... I'm not confident.

Not really had a good enough look at Saturday's race, so my earlier comment may have been a bit premature But just on the basis of it being a class 2 handicap with no immediate standout in the other entries, I'd be disappointed if he couldn't win.

What do you expect to happen in the CC market it he's beaten, for arguements sake say a five length 3rd, on Saturday? I'm in the decent drift and even possible non runner camp.

Conversely, I'm just not sure anyone is going to see him beating Thyme White 10lb and a bit of a beating as any sort of evidence he can mix it with Enurgemene and Shishkin.

He's be giving him TW 6lb if this was a Grade 2 chase I expect? And he's challenging for second favouritism.

I'll have a proper look at the rest eventually but I'm definitely leaning towards him needing to win Saturday for any CC chance, and that probably being the better bet at this stage.

[FinalFurlong91]

Gentlemen de mee
third time lucki
War lord
Riviere detel

All beaten

Blue lord fell in beating a 3 miler by a head

Last years novice form is dirt isn't it?

And energumene is rated 176

Unless shiskin somehow gets back to his very best hes one of the bankers of the week for me

Hes going to be one of my cornerstone horses for multis

[Lobos]

Great to see a top 2m chaser going for a handicap. Loved the days of Dessie when he took on and beat handicappers giving away 2 stone. Just doesn't happen these days. Really looking forward to see what Eddie can do. Hope he isn't a let down. King rates him up there with his previous best chasers. Hope he's a good judge.

[Liammet]

Great to see a top 2m chaser going for a handicap. Loved the days of Dessie when he took on and beat handicappers giving away 2 stone. Just doesn't happen these days. Really looking forward to see what Eddie can do. Hope he isn't a let down. King rates him up there with his previous best chasers. Hope he's a good judge.

Whilst it can be a good spectacle to watch I personally wouldn’t ask a top notch grade 1 horse to give lumps away to inferior horses
I think it pulls the guts out of them,long term it’s not in their interest
Not surprised King is doing it as he did it with Trueshan on the flat

[Lobos]

Gentlemen de mee
third time lucki
War lord
Riviere detel

All beaten

Blue lord fell in beating a 3 miler by a head

Last years novice form is dirt isn't it?

And energumene is rated 176

Unless shiskin somehow gets back to his very best hes one of the bankers of the week for me

Hes going to be one of my cornerstone horses for multis

Agree the form of last year's Novices has taken a real beating so far. One or two always step forward though and are able mix it in open company. Think it'll help Ed that he was busy last season. He looks a real hardened sort who takes everything in his stride. There could also be some more improvement to come. He only had his 1st Hurdle race 3 years ago so he's got a bit of mileage left yet. His age group have a top record in the Champion chase as well.

He only starting chasing a year ago and has already had the same number of chase starts as the current Champion.

[Outlaw]

I'd be disappointed if more than one horse finished in front of Edwardstone personally. You'd like to think he's A1 first up and most of these whilst decent cappers he's got a big old class advantage. I agree most of last years novice at 2m were average and in turn overrated but he's still at least an average Arkle winner. It's hard to quantify weight but in general the 2m division is very average and the sort of horses that hold their own around the 150 mark in the last couple of seasons you'd be disappointed if he's not at least a stone better than the majority of them. Emmets hasn't gone a proper pace in a race and will have his jumping tested as will Boothill who is facing a totally different race to what he's been doing. Thyme White looked improved lto but he was going the GA and would he of come in the first 5 in this years Arkle? Your then left with the likes of BM/FB who, whilst decent cappers will prob pay their way this season you just know their a rung below graded class.

As you can tell it got me thinking and I've put the question out their on social media what price would Ed be if this was level weights, so in turn what significance do you put on weight and what price would you back him at tomorrow if you can entertain him?

[FinalFurlong91]

Agree the form of last year's Novices has taken a real beating so far. One or two always step forward though and are able mix it in open company. Think it'll help Ed that he was busy last season. He looks a real hardened sort who takes everything in his stride. There could also be some more improvement to come. He only had his 1st Hurdle race 3 years ago so he's got a bit of mileage left yet. His age group have a top record in the Champion chase as well.

He only starting chasing a year ago and has already had the same number of chase starts as the current Champion.

His age and that he's had so many runs surely make the improvement less likely

He's not an inexperienced young horse open to loads of improvement he's 8 going 9 and pretty exposed

As you say he's actually had more runs than energumene

I can't see how he bridges the gap

[Lobos]

His age and that he's had so many runs surely make the improvement less likely

He's not an inexperienced young horse open to loads of improvement he's 8 going 9 and pretty exposed

As you say he's actually had more runs than energumene

I can't see how he bridges the gap

He's not been racing long, just 3 season's so he could squeeze further improvement hopefully. Others may drop off a little as well like Energumene and Shishkin so it's possible.

[FinalFurlong91]

He's not been racing long, just 3 season's so he could squeeze further improvement hopefully. Others may drop off a little as well like Energumene and Shishkin so it's possible.

He started in 2018 so he's had 4 seasons, (bumper season, 2 hurdles seasons and novice chases)

8 turning 9 and has had 20 starts under rules i dont think he has much of a chance of being a 170+ horse myself

He may improve a few lbs but unlikely the 10-15lbs he'd need to be a genuine win contender in a race like this

[opatcho]

How is Shishkin 9 come March! Cant believe how quickly thats gone, was only yesterday he was winning the supreme
Energumene the same

[Lobos]

How is Shishkin 9 come March! Cant believe how quickly thats gone, was only yesterday he was winning the supreme
Energumene the same

I think Champion Chase has been won more times by 9 year olds than any other age.

[Lobos]

Edwardstone straight to Tingle Creek...

“It isn’t ideal having to go straight for the Tingle Creek, having not run since Aintree last April, but I’ll now probably take Edwardstone away and work him somewhere before Sandown. It’s nobody’s fault – it’s just the weather and some November days this year have felt like summer.”

[Liammet]

Looking at the betting for the Tingle Creek it's looking like Nicky and Kingey could be on the pull again this week

Anyone got a ground update for Sandown ?