Donn McClean on Wednesday's Champion Chase - 'Hell of a race'

Broadcaster and journalist Donn McClean spoke to irishracing.com at Prestbury Park and gave his thoughts on today’s feature race at the Cheltenham Festival, the Champion Chase, which he described as a ‘hell of a race’.

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Donn McClean’s views on the Champion Chase

Majborough is obviously the one they all have to beat.

It's a pity Marine Nationale is missing because I was looking forward to seeing the rematch between Marine Nationale and Majborough

It’s hard to argue against Majborough. The performance he put up at Leopardstown last time was pretty awesome.

They put cheek pieces on him for the first time and Mark Walsh just allowed him to stride away in front to get into his racing rhythm.

His jumping was very good and he didn't jump to his left as he has done in the past, he jumped straight and very early in the race he looked like by far the most likely winner.

He just kept getting stronger and stronger as the race went on.

He made mistakes in the past in the Arkle with 3 of the last 4 fences last year and he still nearly went and won.

I think he can still win the race without perfect jumping.

Il Etait Temps

You have to put a line through the Clarence House Chase when he fell at Ascot.

He was favourite for the Champion Chase before he ran in the Clarence House Chase but he's never been at his best here.

He's had 3 runs now and he just hasn't been able to reach his zenith at Cheltenham.

But now he's out to a biggish price after disappointing at Ascot so he suddenly becomes interesting again.

Cheltenham is a unique track and horses who do well here come back year on year and do well again - I just think Il Etait Temps has to prove he can operate at Cheltenham.