2011 Form Guide

Queen Mother Champion Chase Form Guide 2011

Last season we saw Big Zeb dominate the race to claim his first Champion chase and at this stage he is heading the Queen Mother Champion Chase Odds for 2011. This follows his excellent win at Navan on his seasonal reappearance and he has to be the one to beat this season. He confirmed his class with a comfortable win in the Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas, he idled slightly in front but was still too good for a field including Golden Silver and ScotsIrish. Golden Silver has gained revenge though by finally beating Big Zeb in the Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown, he collared the Champion on the line to see Big Zebs price drift.

We have already seen Captain Cee Bee out this season and he looks set to take on the Champion Chase in March, he won well at Naas recently on his season debut and could have a big campaign. He did disappoint over Christ mas though as he came last of four in the Dial-A-Bet Chase, he was never involved and was comfortably beaten by Big Zeb and Golden Silver. Another one we have seen put in a good run is Gauvain who after a long absence off the course came back with a shock win in the Sinbad Testimonial Chase at the Cheltenham Open Meeting. The Nick Williams horse was hugely impressive in beating Forpadydeplasterer into second place and he will now be aimed towards the Champion Chase at the Festival.

Master Minded will of course be of interest this season and he showed he was very near to his best when he won the Amlin Chase in some style on seasonal debut. He had a breathing operation over the summer and on this evidence it looks to have done the trick. That has been confirmed with his brilliant win in the Tingle Creek Chase at Cheltenham, he jumped and travelled like he was back to his best and his odds were cut across the board. When he was asked to quicken up by Noel Fehily he cruised past Petit Robin while the likes of Kalahari King and Gauvain were never involved as Master Minded blew the field away. Master Minded remains the favourite after he narrowly won the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot last time out, he idled when in front and held on by the smallest of margins from the fast finishing and impressive Somersby.

Another contender is Woolcombe Folly who also won at the International Meeting for Paul Nicholls, he immediately entered the betting for the Champion Chase and looks to be an improving type this season based on successive wins for Paul Nicholls. The same can be said of Golden Silver who won the O'Connell Hilly Way Chase at Fairyhouse recently, the manner of the victory was the impressive part as he jumped well to beat a good field for Willie Mullins and connections. As a result of that win his Champion Chase Odds were slashed and on his best form Golden Silver could prove very dangerous indeed at Cheltenham.