'Most exciting of the entire Cheltenham Festival' - assessing the Champion Chase

A lot has happened already this season and the betting markets have seen some major changes at the top. Bubbles have potentially been burst and we have a new ante-post favourite, who has more than earned his place there.

We're going to assess the Champion Chase contenders and this race is shaping up to be one of the most exciting of the entire Cheltenham Festival.

A four-way tussle at the top?

Two of the four market leaders have already run at least once and there's been quite a shake-up as a result.

Willie Mullins' Il Etait Temps shot to the head of the betting after an impressive victory in the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown earlier this month.

Well on top at the finish that day, he pulled clear nicely to score by nine lengths. He has arguably earned his place at the top of the market, but there are some areas of concern. Il Etait Temps isn't the biggest and he struggled with his jumping in the 2024 Arkle.

It's worth noting that he is a better horse these days, however, and jumped well at Sandown last time.

It would be a surprise if he remains 4/1 for the entirety of the season and that looks like excellent value right now.

Enda McElhinney

Majborough's jumping fell apart in the Hilly Way Chase at Cork on seasonal debut and, after jumping problems lost him the Arkle, that performance doesn't bode well.

Obviously, it's usually dangerous to rule out a Mullins runner, and he clearly has a good engine, but it might be a year too soon for him. Still only a five-year-old, he retains potential but has a lot of work to do in the jumping department.

Defending champion offers best value

Defending champion Marine Nationale is available at a decent price currently, due to the support for Il Etait Temps. He produced a career-best performance to win this race impressively last year, and the eight-year-old also followed up at Punchestown.

There aren't many negatives attached to this horse, as he's a proven Grade 1 performer with an excellent course record. It would be a surprise if he remains 4/1 for the entirety of the season and that looks like excellent value right now.

Nicky Henderson 's Sir Gino hasn't been seen since trouncing Ballyburn at Kempton last Christmas and he's set to reappear in the Christmas Hurdle.

Hopefully, we see him back over fences sooner rather than later, and he would surely be bang in the mix if back to his best.

Outsiders of note

Jonbon has finished first or second in 25 starts under rules, but that record would be under threat if he were to line up here.

He's been crying out for longer trips and, although he has won the Melling Chase twice, connections don't seem keen to step him up consistently.

L'Eau du Sud got the better of Jonbon in the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham but finished behind him when well beaten by Il Etait Temps at Sandown.

That form leaves him with plenty to find, while Gavin Cromwell's Only By Night is an intriguing outsider at a big price.