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Defending champion Energumene leads nine confirmations for the Queen’s Betway Mother’s Champion Chase at Cheltenham on Wednesday.
Nine-year-old Willie Mullins claimed the first prize with a bloodless victory on the second day of the wet Festival 12 months ago and followed it up with easier triumphs at the Punchestown Festival and in his reappearance in Cork in December.
However, despite still denying favoritism for the second day feature, he returned to Prestbury Park with a point to prove having finished third when he appeared on the track in the rearranged Clarence House Chase on Festival Trials Day.
It was Gary Moore Editor Du Gite and last year’s Arkle hero Edwardstone fought out a thrilling finish on the occasion, with the former making almost everything to give Niall Houlihan his first Grade one success as a jockey.
Both features are among the confirmations, with Alan King filling the general 7-4 joint-favorite with bookmakers to change the table.
As well as Energumene, Mullins can be represented by Blue Lord and Gentleman De Mee who both took Grade Ones over two miles this term.
Blue Lord attacked Leopardstown in the Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase over Christmas to throw himself into the Champion Chase picture, but was no match for his stablemate at the Dublin Racing Festival when Danny Mullins smashed Gentleman De Mee to win by seven lengths. .
It is the second time he has scored at Grade One level as well as claiming the scalp of Edwardstone in the Maghull Novices’ Chase last April.
Funambule Sivola chased home Energumene for silver 12 months ago and returned to form with last month’s Game Spirit win, while Nube Negra (Dan Skelton) and Greaneteen (Paul Nicholls) finished second and fourth in the race behind Put The Kettle On. in 2021 and will return to racing after missing out in 2022.
The list is completed by Guinness Captain Henry de Bromhead with stablemate Coeur Sublime and Mullins’ Chacun Pour Soi the only two unconfirmed of the 11 remaining in the previous scratching stage.
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