Queen Mother Champion Chase Tips: 2022 Betting Preview & Trends

Steve Ryder

March 16th, 2022

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Racing was treated to a pre-Cheltenham clash between Shishkin and Energumene in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot and the pair currently dominate 2022 Champion Chase betting.

This creates a good each-way shape to the race if punters have a strong opinion against the two market principles, which is why it may be wise to stay away from the short prices for our Champion Chase tips.

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This race has had the likes of Un De Sceaux (4/6), Douvan (2/9), Defi Du Seuil (2/5) and Chacun Pour Soi (8/13) all beaten at short Champion Chase odds in recent years. Therefore, it would be ill-advised to concentrate solely on the top two in the market when placing your Cheltenham bets with the best horse racing betting sites.

Champion Chase Runners in Focus

Here's an in-depth look at some of the leading contenders for the 2022 Queen Mother Champion Chase:

Shishkin

It wouldn't be a Champion Chase preview if we didn't put the spotlight firmly on Shiskin. The Nicky Henderson-trained eight-year-old looks the obvious place to start in this race, as he is currently trading at a best-priced 4/6 in Champion Chase odds following a victory over Energumene in the Clarence House at Ascot.

The son of Sholokov has only tasted defeat under rules once when falling at the second flight on his hurdling debut but has an exemplary record over timber since with 10 victories in-a-row.

Those include two Cheltenham Festival wins in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and the Arkle Chase last season. The current favourite looks to have very few negatives surrounding him in the build-up to this race.

He has form on all varieties of ground and put in a career-best performance last time when staying on best of all to defeat Energumene in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot. The race appeared to go perfectly for the Willie Mullins-trained rival that day and the additional stamina test of the Cheltenham hill should mean his rival finds it extremely difficult to reverse that form.

The main concern would be whether Shishkin arrives at the race in top form as he missed his intended engagement in the Tingle Creek on his reappearance and the yard had Altior miss the race when chasing a hat-trick in 2020. That is a concern which faces any horses heading to Cheltenham, though, and he looks difficult to oppose at 8/13.

Energumene

Racing was robbed of a clash between Energumene and Shishkin in the Arkle last season after an injury to the Willie Mullins-trained eight-year-old ruled him out of the festival. But the gelding ended his novice campaign, with a 16-length victory at the Punchestown Festival whetting the appetite for his first season in open company.

He returned with an impressive reappearance victory in the Hilly Way Chase at Cork before losing his unbeaten record over timber in the Clarence House Chase earlier this month.

He jumped superbly under Paul Townend that day and unfortunately looks to have his work cut out to reverse the form with Shishkin at Cheltenham. He rates the biggest danger to the favourite on form but it remains to be seen what that clash will have taken out of him.

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Chacun Pour Soi

The Willie Mullins-trained 10-year-old was beaten in this race last season at Champion Chase odds of 8/13 when only 3rd - and he looks set for minor honours again in what looks a stronger renewal this season.

Chacun Pour Soi is a five-time Grade 1 winner so he is worthy of respect but he faces question marks about his form when travelling to the UK, following a disappointing effort when last of five in the Tingle Creek at Sandown on his reappearance. He jumped poorly that day under Patrick Mullins and needs to put an improved performance in at the Dublin Racing Festival if he is to join stablemate Energumene in this race.

Envoi Allen

Two-time Cheltenham Festival winner Envoi Allen lost his unbeaten record when falling in the Marsh Novices’ Chase last season and unfortunately hasn’t looked the same horse since. The eight-year-old won the Champion Bumper in 2019 before putting in an impressive performance to win the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle in 2020 by a widening 4¼ lengths.

His career over fences looked to be going well before falling early on in that Marsh Chase last year on his first start for Henry De Bromhead. Despite winning twice since, the gelding has dropped down to an official rating of 161. He would possibly feature among Ryanair Chase tips if lining up in that race instead, as he would have a better chance of victory in that one.

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Nube Negra

The Dan Skelton-trained gelding shows his best form when fresh so it is interesting that connections have decided to go straight to the race following a below-par effort in the Tingle Creek Chase last time.

He ran well to finish only ½ length behind Put The Kettle On in this race last season before winning the Shloer Chase over this course and distance on his reappearance. Champion Chase trends are against him, however, with the lack of a Grade 1 victory - so it may be best to look elsewhere.

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The Other Contenders

Politologue: Won a weak renewal of this race in 2020 but could only finish 2nd in the Shloer Chase on his reappearance, beaten six lengths by Nube Negra. Age could finally be catching up with the 11-year-old.

Put The Kettle On: Last year’s Champion Chase winner has been beaten a total of 73 lengths on her three starts since and connections appear to be favouring going for the Mrs Paddy Power Mares Chase instead, which is over a longer trip of 2m4f.

Queen Mother Champion Chase Odds

• Odds correct as of 16/03/2022 - For full latest Champion Chase odds head over to 888sport

Champion Chase Trends

• The last 13 winners had all raced previously at Cheltenham - negative for Energumene.
• Only two Irish trained winners in the previous ten years - negative for Energumene, Chacun Pour Soi, Envoi Allen.
• Willie Mullins has never won the race - negative for Energumene & Chacun Pour Soi.
• The previous 13 winners had all already won a Grade 1 - negative for Nube Negra.
• Only two winners this century have not ran after Jan 1st - negative for Nube Negra.
• Only Finian’s Rainbow has won this century having been a beaten favourite last time out - possible negative for Chacun Pour Soi.
• Nicky Henderson has won five out of the last 10 renewals - positive for Shiskin.

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