With the Cheltenham Festival coming soon, bookmakers have already offered odds on the biggest favourites. Last year’s winner Energumene is already the odds-on favourite to retain the crown. The Irish superstar stormed to victory in Cork, and his strong recent showings make him a lock for the Queen Mother Champion Chase in March. It’ll be a festival to remember for sure, with many great runners eyeing Energumene’s trophy.
A true runner superstar, he justified the leading 1-9 odds in the Hill Way chase by winning the trophy while donning the colours of Brighton & Hove Albion chairman Tony Bloom. The eight-year-old is a Willie Mullins product, so it’s no wonder where his champion pedigree comes from.
‘A Relief to Get It Out of the Way’
Reacting to bookmaker’s odds, Mullins said that it’s a relief to get that out of the way. He was reacting to Energumene’s market-leading odds for the Champion Chase at Day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival. The legendary trainer also praised the horse’s amazing attitude. He said that he loves getting to work every morning, so he’s not like others that might need a bit of a push in the right direction.
An easy recent win in the Hilly Way chase cemented his position as the leader for March’s showpiece. He won it last year, but this year, he’s going to the Chase as a superstar. Edwardstone will be his biggest opponent (11-4), followed by Shishkin, Gentleman, and Greaneteen.
Edwardstone won at Tingle Creek, but Energumene responded with a win of his own. Most experts pick Energumene for the Mother Chase, although some may be bidding on a Honeysuckle hat-trick. But, Henry de Bromhead believes Honeysuckle has more chances in the Mares’ Hurdle than the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Nicky Henderson revealed that Shishkin—one of Energumene’s main opponents—is getting treatment for a sore back. He hurt it in Tingle Creek not two weeks ago, and this might have impacted his Queen Mother odds.
How do the Others Fare?
While Energumene is the odds-on favourite thanks to these recent brilliant showings, competition will be tough at Cheltenham.
Edwardstone, the Arkle hero, has established himself as the fiercest opponent. He’s the second closest to Energumene for the March showcase, and has the stats to prove it. He landed Tingle Creek’s Grade I race after blitzing his opponents. To make matters more impressive, he did so in his first open company start. For his trainer, Alan King, the Desert Orchid seems like the most obvious choice before Cheltenham.
Shishkin could be a dangerous opponent too. He was the odds-on favourite last year, especially after beating Energumene at Ascot’s Clarence House race. He later got pulled up by Nico de Bonville, and a disappointing showing at Tingle Creek ruined his season.
Greaneteen tried to defend his Tingle Creek crown with poise, but he only managed a second-spot finish. He then carried top-weight victory at Exeter and that’s why he’s one of the top favourites for the Queen Mother Chase this year.
But, all eyes will undoubtedly be on Energumene. Right now, he’s just as popular as Leo Messi. We’ve rarely seen bookies favour a runner as much as they do with Energumene this year. Which isn’t a surprise considering his showing last year in the season’s renewal and the way he destroyed other runners in Cork. It’s obvious that the eight-year old is in the form of his life, and will surely go for a back-to-back trophy in one of the most exciting races on the calendar.