2023 Champion Chase

[ComplyOrDie]

All things QMCC related, here….

Current Odds (top prices):
Energumene 5/2
Shishkin 9/2
Ferny Hollow 8/1
Gentleman de Mee 14/1
Edwardstone 16/1
20/1 bar

TO CLOSE BY NOON ON JANUARY 3rd with supplementary entries on March 9th
CHELTENHAM Wednesday, March 15th THE BETWAY QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 1) (Grade 1) (GBB RACE) TOTAL RACE VALUE ?400,000 Distributed in accordance with the Stakes and Prize Money Code
?225,080 to the winning horse
The second to receive ?84,800
the third ?42,440
the fourth ?21,200
the ffth ?10,640
the sixth ?5,320
the seventh ?2,640
the eighth ?1,360
for fve yrs old and upwards, which are allotted a rating or an assessment of 130 or more by the BHA Handicapper, taking account of races run up to and including the day prior to confrmation about TWO MILES (1m 7f 199yds) Enter by noon, January 3rd and pay ?500 stake Scratch by noon, February 7th or pay ?1,000 Confrm by noon, March 9th and pay ?500 Supplementary Entry by noon, March 9th and pay ?18,050 stake Declare by 10.00 a.m. March 13th
Weights: ...................11st 10lb each
Mares allowed .......... 7lb

[FinalFurlong91]

Simple one this for me

Energumene just wins unless Nicky can get shiskin back to his very best, which I'd be a little dubious about after the bone condition.

Those two set a lofty standard that I can't see a pretty average bunch of novices moving into open company matching

[Spectre]

I'd agree. It's Energumene's to lose. If something unforseen happens though it becomes a wide open race with Shiskin having it to prove now.

Ferny's fitness is hard to trust, so the value is probably each way with Gentleman de Mee and Edwardstone. And looking further down there's a proven performer on better ground in Nube Negra at 33/1 that I'm tempted to add to my book. It's hard to see anything else emerging in the division this season with Greaneteen likely to swerve HQ and Riviere D'etel needing to go right-handed.

I'd be surprised if more than 6 or 7 line up so I think it's worth having the ew value as back up to any injuries to the main two.

[BigChaang]

For what it's worth , I think Blue Lord is worth a small each way @ 33-1 with Coral / Ladbrokes.
In my book already , Blue Lord hasn't been outside the places in all five chase runs ..
Probably a Leap of Faith to see him winning . but i'll settle for a place , in a race that doesn't always
Play out to expectations .

[FinalFurlong91]

For what it's worth , I think Blue Lord is worth a small each way @ 33-1 with Coral / Ladbrokes.
In my book already , Blue Lord hasn't been outside the places in all five chase runs ..
Probably a Leap of Faith to see him winning . but i'll settle for a place , in a race that doesn't always
Play out to expectations .

I wouldn't be surprised if he was stepped up in trip at some point

[Madmoose]

Energ should win this again and Edwardstone is the value eachway at 16/1, outside chance he goes Ryanair as he settles these days but could only see up in trip if hammered in a atingle or Clarence House.

[Istabraq]

Simple one this for me

Energumene just wins unless Nicky can get shiskin back to his very best, which I'd be a little dubious about after the bone condition.

Those two set a lofty standard that I can't see a pretty average bunch of novices moving into open company matching

Totally agree, two horse race this for me...

[ComplyOrDie]

Simple one this for me

Energumene just wins unless Nicky can get shiskin back to his very best, which I'd be a little dubious about after the bone condition.

Those two set a lofty standard that I can't see a pretty average bunch of novices moving into open company matching

I agree.

Dutch the pair, make profit, what can go wrong.....

[Istabraq]

I agree.

Dutch the pair, make profit, what can go wrong.....

Has the look of being a sound strategy, but in the back of my mind this race (more than most) has suffered some brutal big named late withdrawals, so whilst it all makes sense in September, March is still a long way away….

[Lobos]

I agree.

Dutch the pair, make profit, what can go wrong.....

You've done it now COD !!!

[Guinness Village]

Shishkin a steal at present odds. Self limiting benign bone condition. He’ll scoot up in tingle creek and be unbeaten for the season. That with 4/1 honeysuckle, 7/1 brandy love makes the holy trinity of antepost loveliness

[Black Dog]

Nicky says Shishkin back cantering and scans are clear. A good chance it won't affect him again. Might not be ready for the Tingle Creek,but the Champion Chase is still the long term plan although he could go further. No market reaction yet.

[charlie]

Shishkin at 4/1 is tempting but that bone condition issue really puts me off. I could look past a normal injury but rare conditions are often poorly understood (even by the best vets) so there is just no way of knowing how well he is, or, if he's up to competing at the very top level again. The one thing we can be sure of is Nicky will campaign him sparingly and probably dodge the difficult clashes. I doubt we'll see a repeat of the Clarence House clash, but I could be wrong. I really don't want to take 9/4 about Energumene now because I know thats not a long term profitable ante-post play, but, I suspect Willie will campaign him similarly and his price will collapse after great wins, facile wins, and everything in-between. It's a tough one that I'll wrestle with over the coming days, possibly a roll up candidate.

[Lobos]

I'm with you Charlie. Will wait until we see him on a racecourse again before deciding to chance him. Even then it's probably dodgy. This season there are several like him at the top of the betting in their respective races that will be coming back from injuries/illnesses including Ferney Hollow, Luccia, Ashroe Diamond, Dysart Dynamo, Monkfish, Buzz, Bob Ollinger.......punters nightmare.

[opatcho]

Yeah, Nicky can be a fussy git with his he compaigns his horses - especially with the ground. He isn’t going to run Shishkin over soft->heavy, he’ll need some luck going into winter
meaning, how fit will get be able to get Shishkin and how much can he push him ahead of the fez

See him being more of a Dovuan than a Sprinter, and even sprinter needed another season before he won races

not for me. Rather back Edwardstone at 16/1 each way if pushed