Champion Chase Preview: 'He's an absolute weapon' The Champion Chase at Cheltenham is shaping up to be a fascinating renewal and our panel highlight the value on offer in the two-mile showpiece. Read their thoughts below and watch the full Jump Season Preview for more tips and previews. Vincent Finegan "Marine Nationale produced a great end of season. Barry Connell will no doubt have him back in similar form. “You'd imagine they would do the same as last season, build him up to a championship race and it worked out perfectly. No doubt he'll be back as a contender again.” "The favourite in this is Sir Gino who looks to have star quality but you're looking at one run over fences is all he's had. “He beat Ballyburn four-and-a-half lengths which on the face of it might not be the greatest chase form in history. But having said that, he does look like a bit of a star. “He's 11-4 with BOYLES at the minute to win the Champion Chase. "I don't see value in Sir Gino. I don't think Marine Nationale at 4-1 is value either. It's where you find it, is the question." Paddy Flood "I think Majborough takes the number one spot now, as that two miler. Majborough goes and wins a couple of races during the year. Sir Gino comes out and wins a race. “They are two that would bring you back to the likes of the Azertyuiop days and those real good two milers." "I think Majborough will be an easier horse to ride this year in better races and I can see him jumping off in front. Mark Walsh just throwing the reins on his neck and saying: ‘right if you're that brave go ahead’. Last year as a novice you're always trying to mind them and teach them a little bit. "He's a monster so he has to be physically improving. If he's physically improving you’d be hoping naturally that the jumping gets better. "He has some engine, you know, he's an absolute weapon to win a Triumph Hurdle, the size he is as well. “I'd say he's as good a horse as Willie has down there. I'd want to be seeing a couple of runs before backing him though. "Marine Nationale has no issue jumping. He's been a solid old horse, but I think he lacks that star quality. I thought he won an ordinary race last year. "Call a spade a spade, you know, Quilixios did come down and was bang there, you know, so it wasn't a vintage." Johnny Ward "The one with the star quality is Sir Gino, and potentially Majborough - the two of them particularly are potential superstars. "I was disappointed with Majborough - that he couldn't win last year at Cheltenham given it was such a small field but he's only a five-year-old and as Paddy said, it's probably still asking a bit to go to Cheltenham. He's not that straightforward at these fences. That's what I would worry about. "At the moment, if I had to have a bet in this, I would actually couple Majborough and Marine Nationale because Sir Gino has too many questions to answer and as much as Marine Nationale isn't an absolute superstar, he will probably show up on the day and produce a big performance".
