Jonbon is set to face seven rivals in the Queen Mother Champion Chase on Wednesday.
The Nicky Henderson-trained gelding has looked better than ever in the current campaign and attempts to capture the one thing missing from his CV, a victory at the Cheltenham Festival.
He booted dual Champion Chase winner Energumene out of the way in the Clarence House Chase on his most recent outing and readily saw off Quilixios and Solness in the Tingle Creek before Christmas.
The latter has since posted a pair of career-best effort to bag Grade 1s in Ireland including the Dublin Chase in which Marine Nationale was two lengths behind.
The 2023 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle hero represents a fresh opponent for Jonbon as does Found A Fifty, who was second in last year’s Arkle before bagging a novice Grade 1 at Aintree.
Captain Guinness was the shock winner of last season’s Champion Chase after odds-on favourite El Fabiolo flopped, but Henry de Bromhead’s returning king has been out of form this term.
Libberty Hunter completes the field for Wednesday’s 16:00 after trainer Evan Williams opted for the championship contest over a crack at the Grand Annual.
The latest Champion Chase odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
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Champion Chase 2025 verdict
Timeform: JONBON‘s only defeats have come at Cheltenham but it’s hard to see what can beat him in this on recent displays and his big day at the Festival has come. He’s looked better than ever this season and more relaxed to boot and can see off the 2022 and 2023 winner Energumene. 2023 Supreme hero Marine Nationale looks to be coming to the boil and can go well.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Champion Chase 2025 runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Champion Chase 2025.
Captain Guinness
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: Rachael Blackmore Age: 10 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Second to Energumene in this in 2023 and enjoyed his finest hour when going one better 12 months ago. Long way below that form in 3 runs this season however and has his work cut out.
**
Energumene
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: P. Townend Age: 11 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Top-class chaser who met with defeat for just the third time over fences when held by Jonbon in the Clarence House but he’s twice taken centre stage in this race, easily scoring from Captain Guinness in 2023. Will do well to regain his crown but no surprise if his season peaks here.
****
Found A Fifty
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: J. W. Kennedy Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs
High-class chaser who was second in last season’s Arkle and won his next 3 starts, including the Grade 1 Maghull the following month from Master Chewy and Libberty Hunter. First blob on his scorecard at Leopardstown last time but had excuses (slight nasal discharge) and can bounce back.
***
Jonbon
Trainer: Nicky Henderson Jockey: Nico de Boinville Age: 9 Weight: 11st 10lbs
His only 3 defeats have come here but he’s a modern great, a credit to connections and wonderfully consistent performer who is better than ever this season, slamming Energumene in the Clarence House last time. Looks a lot more relaxed these days and this is his for the taking.
*****
Libberty Hunter
Trainer: Evan Williams Jockey: Adam Wedge Age: 9 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Runner-up in last season’s Grand Annual and has continued to improve over fences this term, winning 2m handicap on the other course on return before taking second late on in the Game Spirit. His jumping wasn’t so fluent there and he’ll need another big step forward to figure here.
**
Marine Nationale
Trainer: Barry Connell Jockey: Sean Flanagan Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs
2023 Supreme winner in an unbeaten novice hurdle campaign and has looked to be coming to the boil over fences this term, again chasing home Solness in the Dublin Chase, deserving credit as the only one to get in a blow against the runaway winner. Looks set for a big run.
****
Quilixios
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: D. J. O’Keeffe Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs
2021 Triumph winner who flopped in last year’s Arkle but bounced back on return with fine front-running victory at Naas (from Marine Nationale) and put it up to Jonbon for a bit in the Tingle Creek next time. Needs to bounce back from a poor run behind Solness at Leopardstown but can do so.
***
Solness
Trainer: Joseph O’Brien Jockey: J. J. Slevin Age: 7 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Has improved out of nowhere to take Grade 1s at Leopardstown the last twice with front-running tactics the order of the day again, jumping well and seeing off a number of these in the Dublin Chase last month. Not out of this.
***
Cheltenham Festival Day 2 Tips
- Paddy’s Ultimate Cheltenham Cheat Sheet for day 2 of the 2025 Festival
- ITV Racing pundit Matt Chapman’s Cheltenham Tips for Wednesday
- Patrick Mullins’ Cheltenham Tips for day 2 feature a 12/1 each-way shout
- Ruby Walsh’s Cheltenham Tips for day 2 of the meeting
Read More on the Cheltenham Festival
- Cheltenham Festival race times and schedule for 2025 meeting
- Cheltenham on TV today: What channel is the Cheltenham Festival 2025 on? Coverage and schedule
- Cheltenham Festival free live stream: Watch every race at 2025 meeting
- The Ultimate Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide
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