Date: Wednesday 17th March 2021
The Queen Mother Champion Chase is often billed as a race for the speediest and slickest two-mile chasers in training, but it is just as much about experience and specialist form at the trip.
Recent renewals have shown the importance of proven two-mile chasing class, previous Cheltenham form and a horse arriving with enough racing under its belt during the season. Unlike some of the other championship races, this is one where short-priced favourites have regularly come unstuck.
Using the Turf Talk approach, these are the three that come out best.
TURF TALK RATINGS - LEADING CONTENDERS
| Horse | Turf Talk Rating |
|---|---|
| Shishkin | 224 |
| Chacun Pour Soi | 218 |
| Put The Kettle On | 203 |
| Nube Negra | 191 |
| Politologue | 182 |
| First Flow | 176 |
| Rouge Vif | 168 |
The ratings are built around specialist two-mile form, official class, chase experience, Cheltenham form and current-season activity. The Arkle route is also a major positive when a horse looks capable of stepping into open Grade 1 company.
MAIN SELECTION
Shishkin (8/5 available)
He comes out top on the ratings and looks to have the strongest all-round profile in the race.
The Arkle path has been a very productive route into this contest and he fits that angle perfectly. He has the right age, plenty of two-mile chase experience already and, crucially, proven Cheltenham form. He looks the type to keep improving at this level.
BACKUP SELECTION 1
Chacun Pour Soi (7/4 available)
The obvious danger on pure ability and one who commands huge respect.
He has the Grade 1 class, the specialist two-mile profile and arrives with the right level of form. The concern is that this race has not always been kind to short-priced horses without strong Cheltenham credentials, but he is still impossible to dismiss.
BACKUP SELECTION 2
Put The Kettle On (9/1 available)
A previous Cheltenham winner who fits more of the specialist profile than some of the bigger names.
She has proven course form, enough experience at the trip and the mare angle has been increasingly powerful in championship races. At a bigger price she looks a very solid alternative.
SUMMARY
Shishkin tops the ratings and is taken as the main selection, with Chacun Pour Soi the obvious danger and Put The Kettle On the strongest value alternative in a race where specialist two-mile form remains vital.
