Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham

the opening day at Cheltenham went off very well and one thing is clear: the Irish challenge is as strong as ever. Three Irish-trained winners yesterday and we expect more today, including in the main event the Queen Mother Champion Chase over 2 miles at 16.20 CET. There are 4 Irish runners in the field of 11 here, three of whom met at Punchestown in January, when Golden Silver (Willie Mullins/ Paul Townend) got the better of Big Zeb (Colm Murphy/ Barry Geraghty) with Sizing Europe (Henry de Bromhead/ Andrew Lynch) third. The going was very heavy that day and we would certainly expect Big Zeb, who won the Champion Chase last year, to come out on time this time. The fourth Irish challenger Captain Cee Bee (Eddie Harty/ Tony McCoy) is smart, but looks well held by Big Zeb.

The local defence is headed by Master Minded (Paul Nicholls/Ruby Walsh) who won this race in 2008 and 2009, but was well behind Big Zeb when only fourth at odds-on last year. He was not right that day, and is back in form this season, winning all 3 starts, but does not seem to be quite as brilliant as he looked a couple of years ago. Last time he only won by a head from Somersby (Henrietta Knight/Robert Thornton), who reopposes today, although tomorrow´s Ryanair Chase woud seem a better target. Somersby runs today as his owner has to go into hospital tomorrow.

Big Zeb used to have the reputation of being a dodgy jumper, but appears to have left all those problems behind him, and he is our confident selection to win the Champion Chase for the second time.