3.30 1m. 7f. 199yds. 7 Declared. Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1 ) of £400,000.00 5-y-o plus
1st - €225,080.00 2nd - €84,800.00 3rd - €42,440.00 4th - €21,200.00 5th - €10,640.00 6th - €5,320.00 7th - €2,640.00 8th - €1,360.00
Formscan - Arguably the most exciting race of the Cheltenham Festival, this year's renewal promises much with the first three in the betting reopposing from their clash in the rearranged Clarence House here in January. Editeur Du Gite belied his odds when coming out on top on that occasion, having pretty much made all, but the one to take out of it was surely EDWARDSTONE (second), who made up plenty of ground in a short space of time to challenge after the last before being narrowly denied close home. Dropping half a furlong in trip should be right up his street on this occasion and he is taken to gain revenge on the winner. Last year's Arkle hero took his form to a new level when dominating in the Tingle Creek and he should be cherry-ripe for this assignment as he looks to overcome last year's impressive winner Energumene. Willie Mullins' charge may have had excuses for his lacklustre effort in the Clarence House but the way he finished that race was worrying, despite having an excellent record over fences overall. At bigger prices, Nube Negra (second) and Greaneteen (fourth) ran very well in this two years ago and cannot be ruled out completely.