Exeter Winner on Course for Queen Mother Champion Chase

Elixir De Nutz was victorious in Exeter’s biggest race of the season when he landed the Haldon Gold Cup back in November. The Grade Two winner is now on course to feature in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, the most prestigious 2m contest of the year.

Joe Tizzard’s runner beat a strong field at Exeter when he landed the Haldon Gold Cup. He finished ahead of Solo, Editeur Du Gite, and Indiana Jones. His connections will be hoping he can build on that performance when he lines up in the Championship race at the Festival.

Third Shot at Festival Success

This season will be Elixir De Nutz’s third attempt at winning a Cheltenham Festival contest. He was pulled up on his debut in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase in 2022, while last season, he finished ninth in the same race.

After back-to-back victories at Exeter and Newbury respectively, Tizzard is opting for a Championship race in March. His chaser is 40/1 in the Queen Mother Championship Chase betting. Those looking to back the Exeter winner should consider the best Cheltenham betting offers for the meeting, including the "Bet £10 and get £40" in free bets available to new customers with Betfred or SpreadEx.

Although he has yet to score at the Festival, Elixir De Nutz did win two races at Cheltenham as a novice hurdler. The pick of those victories was his Grade Two Supreme Trial Novice Hurdle triumph.

Queen Mother Champion Chase Field Full of Grade One Winners

Last year’s Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Energumene will miss the defence of his crown due to injury, however, the field is set to include a host of Grade One winners, including the front two from the 2023 Arkle Trophy.

El Fabiolo tops the betting for the Championship race. The unbeaten chaser was the leading 2m novice in the UK and Ireland last season. He has already begun his latest campaign with a victory, as he landed the Grade Two Hilly Way Chase at Cork back in December.

Willie Mullins’ runner has entries in both the Clarence House Chase and Dublin Chase before the Cheltenham Festival. He is likely to have at least one more run before he takes on the best 2m chasers in his division in the day two feature.

Jonbon is the highest-rated British-trained horse in the Queen Mother Champion Chase this year. He will need to reverse his form with El Fabiolo, as he finished second behind the Irish horse in the Arkle in 2023.

With seven wins from eight starts, Jonbon has an excellent record over fences. He has had success in the Shloer Chase this season. His trainer Nicky Henderson is bidding for a record seventh success in the Queen Mother Champion Chase. He currently shares the record with Paul Nicholls and Tom Dreaper, as the three trainers have had six wins.

The 2024 Queen Mother Champion Chase takes place on Wednesday, 13th March, with the final declarations revealed 48 hours before the race.