Cheltenham Betting
The Queen Mother Champion Chase
• Horses should be rated 160+.
• Single figured priced horse.
Masterminded is the class horse in the race and he did look back to his best last time out at Newbury, winning the Game Sprint Chase by 13 lengths, although he did make a massive error at the last fence which the jockey Ruby Walsh took the blame for.
He is an exceptional horse and looked very impressive last year when winning this race for the second time.
He finished 3rd of 6 at Cheltenham in the Connaght Chase. Afterwards the trainer advised the horse had a problem with his rib so we can discount that run.
Masterminded looked back to form last time out when 1st of 5 runners (note: one of those runners was a 200/1 outsider who would find it hard to win a class 4 chase).
So yes, he looks back in form and has won impressively, but I would argue the opposition was nothing to light up the sky about, and that would slightly worry me especially at the odds on offer - currently 4/5 odds on.
At the end of the day he has been here and done it twice. Masterminded will be ready and is sure to run well but I would question if there are any other horses in this race that could take his crown?
The answer could be Big Zeb, winner of 7 races, and if he gets his jumping sorted out he could be anything.
The only concern with this horse is if he will stay up on his feet, but if he does he can claim this prize in fine style.
I have no doubts the connections will be delighted with Barry Geraghty who is available to ride this horse at the Festival (He has won on Big Zeb 5 times).
Big Zeb’s last race in the Tied Cottage Grade 2 Chase was brilliant, beating Golden Silver by 7 lengths, and he is one to consider here.
I like the Arkle form of last year for this race, and it’s worth considering that the winners (and placed horses) of the Arkle who go on to contest the Champion chase run very well.
This would lead us to consider Kalahari King and Forpadydeplasterer.
Kalahari King was a short head second in last year’s Arkle at the Festival and has improved on again. He can run a big race and hit the frame here.
Recommended Bet: Big Zeb – 2 pts each-way @ 8/1 (Non runner no bet)
