4.00 BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase

Jonbon is fancied to be a hit in Cheltenham’s £400,000 BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase on day two of the Festival.

Nicky Henderson’s trainee has an exceptional record for a horse keeping Grade One company, with 17 wins from 20 appearances.

Much has been made of his three defeats at Prestbury Park, but for two he had excuses and on the other he bumped into superstar stablemate Constitution Hill in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

Ruled out by a stable bug last year, Jonbon has rattled off a five-timer since and is much calmer than the edgy thoroughbred of old.

That means the top class JP McManus-owned chaser can put all of his energy into every performance on the racecourse.

Front runner Solness – beaten 25 lengths by my selection in the Tingle Creek at Sandown – benefited from less testing terrain in the Dublin Chase and he won’t be hanging around.

By contrast two-time titleholder Energumene would appreciate a wetter surface but is respected nevertheless, as is fellow Irish raider Found a Fifty.

Captain Guinness

Grabbed his chance in last year’s event when blundering odds on favourite El Fabiolo called it a day at the fifth jump. On ground with heavy places, the bay battled hard for Rachael Blackmore to hold off Gentleman De Mee by a length-and-a-half. But he has not come close to matching that form this season and is easy to oppose 12 months on.

Energumene

Secured the 2022 and 2023 trophies in style for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend, galloping strongly to the line on a rain-softened surface. Lost out twice at Ascot, including to Jonbon 53 days ago, but that is not his track and he has most likely been building up to this all season. Dangerous to discount.

Found A Fifty

The 2024 Arkle runner-up gave lumps of weight to Pinkerton on his Down Royal seasonal debut, following up by collaring Solness for further Grade Two honours. A Leopardstown no-show behind the same rival can be excused and Gordon Elliott’s sole representative holds each-way claims back to his best.

Jonbon

Has upwards of 5lb in hand of his seven opponents as Nico de Boinville’s mount bids to belatedly open his Festival account. The son of Walk In The Park has amassed so many firsts it is surely time for a change of luck at Gloucestershire’s biggest sporting event, now he is more tractable in terms of tactics front.

Libberty Hunter

Rated lowest of the eight on 151, the Welsh raider has risen through the grades from handicaps. Mark now a little high so takes his chance against classier rivals at a course he enjoys. Won’t be disgraced, yet might find it too big a leap to seriously threaten the principals.

Marine Nationale

Scored in the 2023 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle for late jockey Michael O’Sullivan, who expertly guided the early stages of his chasing career. Best of the rest behind Solness at Leopardstown, Barry Connell’s leading player could have more to offer on the biggest stage of all. However he might find one or two with a greater desire to battle up when the heat is turned up.

Quilixios

An in and out performer for trainer Henry de Bromhead, scooting clear of Marine Nationale in a Naas Grade Three before chasing Jonbon’s tail at Sandown. Failed to finish in front of any in the Arkle and the jury is out.

Solness

Posted improved displays by dictating the last twice in a tongue tie and cheekpieces combination, putting several of today’s opponents in their place. Down the field in the 2024 Grand Annual, he should do much better here if adopting his usual role but another career best is required to topple hot favourite Jonbon.

The Scout’s prediction

1 Jonbon

2 Energumene

3 Marine Nationale

Rest of Wednesday’s races

Final Demand and The New Lion are scrapping for supremacy at the top of the Turners Novices’ Hurdle market.

But THE YELLOW CLAY (1.20) is fancied to throw a spanner in the works for jockey Jack Kennedy and trainer Gordon Elliott.

Connections aim for the top two after rerouting from what looked an easier opportunity in the three-mile Albert Bartlett.

The Yellow Clay thrives on racing and his win in the Lawlor’s Of Naas – a race Elliott targets with his best novices – is backed up by the timefigure.

A battle-hardened campaigner, he has more experience than sizable sort Final Demand, short enough given he is yet to encounter quicker conditions and Prestbury Park’s undulations.

And the last 20 Challow Hurdle heroes have all been beaten here, a reason to oppose Dan Skelton-saddled The New Lion.

Backers of Ballyburn are expecting a season’s best now he tackles three miles in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase.

However last year’s impressive Turners Novices’ Hurdle victor has not entirely convinced over bigger obstacles – and DANCING CITY (2.00) can seize his chance.

The tough chestnut ran at all three major festivals in 2024 and wound up as a triple Grade One-winning novice hurdler.

Given plenty of time to recover by Mullins, my selection has plenty more to offer after landing the odds at Punchestown and Naas.

BEAT THE BAT (2.40) has lacked the final ammunition in quality two-mile handicaps – and can spring to life on decent ground at 2m 5f.

Harry Fry’s hope was less than three lengths off Dysart Enos at this course in 2023 when the mare was on a roll and then chased home Steel Ally – a horse now rated 144 – in a Haydock 2m3f handicap.

There have been green shoots for Fry’s runners in recent days and it will be a clever piece of campaigning if Beat The Bat delivers first time up at the distance.

Reverting to a handicap, the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase is Grand National fourth GALVIN’s (3.20) destination.

Kept in check with a run in a flat charity contest, Gordon Elliott’s veteran was a 2023 silver medallist in this – with the top two 26 lengths clear of the rest.

Today’s playing surface is a massive advantage whereas it is a negative for favourite Stumptown, in his element when the mud is flying.

Lightly-raced handicap debutant JASKO DES AMES (4.40) is given the nod in the Grand Annual, with GAMEOFINCHES (5.20) tipped to be best of the five-strong Mullins Champion Bumper team.