The Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival is the ultimate test of speed and jumping ability over two miles. Past champions such as Altior, Sprinter Sacre, and Energumene have cemented their places as legends in this division. Irish-trained horses have dominated in recent years, winning the last four renewals.
📊 Key Trends & Winning Profile
✅ Cheltenham Form is Essential: 🏇 The last 16 winners had previously raced at Cheltenham.
✅ Irish Dominance: 🇮🇪 Irish-trained runners have won the last four renewals.
✅ Winning Form Required: 🏆 Only two winners this century had not won that season.
✅ Recent Run a Must: 📅 No winner since 2000 had failed to run in the calendar year.
✅ Beaten Favourites Struggle: ❌ Only two winners this century had been beaten favourites last time out.
✅ Grade 1 Class: ⭐ 18 of the last 25 placed horses were already Grade 1 winners.
✅ Seasonal Runs: 🔄 18 of the last 20 winners had two or three runs that season.
✅ Odds-On Favourites: ❗ 12 odds-on favourites since 2000 – only three won.
✅ No Headgear: 🚫 No winner has worn blinkers or cheekpieces since at least 1990.
✅ Trainer Hotspots: 🏇 Nicky Henderson (5 wins in 13 years) & Henry de Bromhead (4 wins in 14 years) dominate.
🏆 Recent Winners & Trends Analysis
| Year | Winner | Age | OR | SP | Trainer | Jockey | Last Race |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Captain Guinness | 9 | 162 | 17/2 | H de Bromhead | R Blackmore | 3rd Irish G1 (38) |
| 2023 | Energumene | 9 | 175 | 6/5F | W Mullins | P Townend | 3rd Clarence House Chase (46) |
| 2022 | Energumene | 8 | 175 | 5/2 | W Mullins | P Townend | 2nd Clarence House Chase (53) |
| 2021 | Put The Kettle On | 7 | 156 | 17/2 | H de Bromhead | A Coleman | 3rd Leopardstown G1 (80) |
| 2020 | Politologue | 9 | 165 | 6/1 | P Nicholls | H Skelton | 5th Tingle Creek (95) |
🔍 Key Takeaways:
✅ Irish-trained dominance – Last four winners trained in Ireland.
✅ The Clarence House Chase is a key prep race – Multiple winners have prepped there.
✅ Favourites have a mixed record – Odds-on shots have a poor strike rate.
✅ Nicky Henderson and Henry de Bromhead dominate this race.
✅ Winners tend to have at least two seasonal runs and Grade 1 experience.
🎯 Expert Verdict: Who to Bet On?
✅ Irish-trained runners have dominated this race – Recent success suggests this trend will continue.
✅ Proven Cheltenham course form is a must – No winner since 2008 had not run at Cheltenham before.
✅ Winning form this season is essential – Politologue (2020) and Sizing Europe (2011) are the only exceptions since 2000.
✅ Look for Grade 1 winners – Most placed horses have been top-class chasers.
✅ Avoid blinkers or cheekpieces – No headgear-wearing winner since at least 1990.
📈 Best Bets for Queen Mother Champion Chase 2025 – Top Selections
| 🏇 Horse | 📉 Odds | 🎯 Trainer | 🔥 Age | 📊 OR | ⭐ RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonbon | 10/11 | Nicky Henderson | 9 | 171 | 181 |
| Marine Nationale | 5/1 | Barry Connell | 8 | 159 | 167 |
| Energumene | 15/2 | W P Mullins | 11 | 166 | 174 |
| Solness | 8/1 | Joseph Patrick O’Brien | 7 | 162 | 170 |
| Found A Fifty | 16/1 | Gordon Elliott | 8 | 162 | 169 |
✅ Jonbon (10/11)
- ✅ Trained by Nicky Henderson – five-time winner of this race.
- ✅ Top-rated horse in the race (171).
- ✅ Perfect profile – unbeaten over two miles this season.
- ✅ Festival experience – won the Arkle last year.
💪 Verdict: Clear favourite and standout contender – strong winning profile.
✅ Marine Nationale (5/1)
- ✅ Trained by Barry Connell – proven big-race trainer.
- ✅ Solid Grade 1 form – improving with each run.
- ✅ Good ground preference – will handle the likely conditions.
💪 Verdict: Dangerous second favourite – strong chance to upset Jonbon.
✅ Energumene (15/2)
- ✅ Dual Champion Chase winner – looking for a third victory.
- ✅ Trained by Willie Mullins – who knows how to win this race.
- ✅ 11 years old – but retains his class.
💪 Verdict: Solid each-way value – proven Cheltenham performer.
✅ Solness (8/1)
- ✅ Youngest contender – plenty of improvement left.
- ✅ Trained by Joseph O’Brien – who excels with improving chasers.
- ✅ Strong recent form – versatile over ground conditions.
💪 Verdict: Live contender – improving fast and could surprise.
✅ Found A Fifty (16/1)
- ✅ Gordon Elliott-trained – proven in big races.
- ✅ Won over 2m – possesses the necessary speed.
- ✅ Value at the price – improving steadily.
💪 Verdict: Outsider with potential – could sneak into the frame.
🚫 Runners to Avoid
❌ Captain Guinness (25/1) – Won last year but seems below top level now.
❌ Quilixios (33/1) – Below top-class form this season.
❌ Libberty Hunter (33/1) – Lightly raced and unproven in Grade 1 company.
💰 Each-Way Value
➡️ Energumene (15/2) – Two-time winner – course and race experience counts.
➡️ Solness (8/1) – Fast-improving horse – great value at the price.
🔥 Best Trend Fit: Jonbon
✅ 9 years old – fits ideal age profile.
✅ Nicky Henderson’s main contender – five-time race winner.
✅ Top-rated horse – fits Grade 1 profile.
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