Cheltenham Festival 2024: Day 3 Tips, Going & Race Updates
The BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase, the feature race on day two of the Cheltenham Festival, appears poised to be a compelling contest, with renewal hinging on the jumping ability of Majborough. The Timeform preview suggests the horse boasts the best form in the field, but past performances have raised concerns.
Majborough, rated 190 by Timeform, has shown flashes of brilliance, most notably in the Dublin Chase at Leopardstown, where he defeated last year’s Champion Chase winner, Marine Nationale, by 19 lengths. That victory came with the horse sporting cheekpieces for the first time, a change that seemed to unlock a novel level of enthusiasm and fluency over fences. However, his jumping has been inconsistent, particularly highlighted by a near-fall two out in last year’s Arkle at Cheltenham, where he ultimately finished third.
The key to Majborough’s success on may well be whether the cheekpieces continue to have the same positive effect and if he can navigate the challenging Cheltenham fences cleanly. A fluent round could make him extremely difficult to beat.
Willie Mullins similarly saddles Il Etait Temps (183), who presents a strong challenge. Despite a heavy fall in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot, where he appeared to be losing ground to Jonbon, Il Etait Temps had previously enjoyed a five-race winning streak following a third-place finish in the 2024 Arkle. That streak included victories over Jonbon at both Sandown (Celebration Chase) and in the Tingle Creek in December. Notably, Il Etait Temps will race without his usual hood in this contest.
L’Eau du Sud (176), trained by Dan Skelton, is another contender. While his performance in the Tingle Creek was underwhelming, finishing third, Skelton has strategically kept him fresh for the Champion Chase, a tactic that has proven successful in the past, as evidenced by his win in the Shloer Chase on his reappearance in November, where he beat a below-par Jonbon by 15 lengths. This will be his second win over fences at Cheltenham.
The Timeform analysis emphasizes that the outcome of the race is likely to be determined by jumping prowess, particularly for Majborough. His ability to replicate the fluency he displayed at Leopardstown will be crucial. The Dublin Chase performance was described as a “career-best effort,” and the clear victory over Marine Nationale suggests he is in excellent form.
The Sporting Life preview, covering the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup on day four, offers a glimpse into the broader festival landscape. While focused on the Gold Cup, it highlights the competitive nature of the entire event and the importance of strategic preparation. The Gold Cup preview suggests Jango Baie is a strong contender, having run well in the King George, and Gaelic Warrior is also highly respected given his Festival record.
The Champion Chase, a Grade 1 contest run over two miles, is a pivotal race on the second day of the Cheltenham Festival. The racecard, available on the Racing Post website, provides detailed information on all participants, including jockey assignments, weights, and form. The strong winds and rain forecast for the third day of the festival, as reported by the Racing Post, could potentially impact conditions for later races, but are not expected to significantly affect the Champion Chase.
The competition is fierce, with multiple horses demonstrating the ability to challenge for the title. Il Etait Temps’s previous victories over Jonbon demonstrate his capability, while L’Eau du Sud’s Shloer Chase win highlights his aptitude for the Cheltenham course. However, Majborough’s recent form and the positive impact of the cheekpieces make him the horse to beat, provided he can maintain his jumping consistency.
The race promises to be a thrilling spectacle, testing the skill and stamina of both horse and rider. The Cheltenham fences are notoriously challenging, and a single mistake could prove costly. The strategic decisions made by the trainers and jockeys, such as the removal of Il Etait Temps’s hood, will undoubtedly play a significant role in the outcome.
the Champion Chase is shaping up to be a captivating contest, with Majborough emerging as the clear favorite, but with several capable rivals poised to challenge for the crown. The race will be a true test of jumping ability, speed, and stamina, and is sure to provide a memorable moment for racing fans.