Champion Chase tips and runners guide to Down Royal 2.20
Just four horses go to post for the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal – but the quality on offer more than makes up for the lack of runners!
The Gordon Elliott-trained GerriColombe – a three-time Grade 1 winner in his novice chasing campaign – is one of the leading fancies for next year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup, but he will need to prove his worth against classy operators who have all scored in open company at the top level including stablemate Conflated.
Henry de Bromhead saddles the other two runners in the field – 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero MinellaIndo and triple Cheltenham Festival winner EnvoiAllen, who is bidding to defend his crown after coming out on top last year.
The latest Champion Chase odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Ladbrokes Champion Chase verdict
Timeform: GERRI COLOMBE made a huge impression in his first season over fences and, with the likelihood of more to come this term, he is taken to make a winning return here. Last year’s winner Envoi Allen should be spot on after his Gowran reappearance and is feared most.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Ladbrokes Champion Chase runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Ladbrokes Champion Chase 2023.
Conflated
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Sam Ewing Age: 9 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Notched his second Grade 1 success over fences when landing the Savills at Leopardstown last Christmas and performed to an even higher standard when third in the Gold Cup next time. Shaped as if need of run at Punchestown last month and better expected here.
***
Envoi Allen
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: Rachael Blackmore Age: 9 Weight: 11st 10lbs
High-class performer who got back on track last term, winning this contest and adding Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham in March. Looked in need of outing on Gowran return 6 weeks ago and bold show expected.
****
Gerri Colombe
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: J. W. Kennedy Age: 7 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Unbeaten in bumpers and hurdles before making a seamless transition to chasing last term, his only defeat coming by a very small margin in Brown Advisory at Cheltenham Festival in March. Ended campaign with impressive victory at Aintree (25f) in April and surely has more to offer this term.
*****
Minella Indo
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: D. J. O’Keeffe Age: 10 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Been rather in and out since landing 2021 Gold Cup at Cheltenham but got back to winning ways in Grade 3 at Punchestown (23.3f) last month and will be dangerous if in same form here.
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