2011 Queen Mother Champion Chase Form

Race OverviewMaster Minded, who ruled supreme among two-milers in 2008 and 2009, was dethroned by Big Zeb a year ago when the ground dried up and the elements have again conspired against him. Big Zeb does not look as solid as he might have done before his Punchestown defeat by Golden Silver and the latter is a big price even allowing for his poor Cheltenham record. The established order could be about to change, therefore, with last year's novices Somersby and WOOLCOMBE FOLLY very much on the up. Underfoot conditions will suit Paul Nicholls' number two, so impressive here in December, rather than his rival and he can foil Big Zeb.[Frank Carter]

Odds provided by Paddypower

No.		Runner	Details	Rating
1		Big Zeb (IRE) B J Geraghty C Murphy	10 yrs / 164 lbs 11-112	174

CommentBig Zeb

Last year's winner; will need to be at top of game

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
30/01/11	PUN 16SftG2Ch,22K	166 lbs	Barry Geraghty	2/5 1/2l, Golden Silver[4/6F]11-12
29/12/10	LEO 17HyG1Ch,58K	166 lbs	Barry Geraghty	1/4 1 3/4l, Golden Silver[EvensF]11-12
07/11/10	NAV 16SftG2Ch,24K	166 lbs	Barry Geraghty	1/4 1 1/4l, Golden Silver[8/15F]11-12
17/03/10	CHL 16GdCl1 G1Ch,182K	164 lbs	Barry Geraghty	1/9 6l, Forpadydeplasterer[10/1]11-10
31/01/10	PUN 16HyG2Ch,23K	166 lbs	Barry Geraghty	1/5 7l, Golden Silver[5/4]11-12

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2

Captain Cee Bee (IRE) A P McCoy E Harty

10 yrs / 164 lbs 181-14

158

CommentCaptain Cee Bee

Something to find on latest running; this ground may suit better

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
29/12/10	LEO 17HyG1Ch,58K	166 lbs	M P Walsh	4/4 8 3/4l, Big Zeb[7/2]11-12
30/10/10	NAA 16SftG3Ch,16K	166 lbs	M P Walsh	1/4 4l, Archie Boy[9/10F]11-8 cheekpiece
22/04/10	PUN 16GdNvG1Ch,49K	166 lbs	A P McCoy	1/10 4l, Let Yourself Go[4/1]11-12
16/03/10	CHL 16GSCl1 G1Ch,86K	161 lbs	A P McCoy	8/12 18 1/2l, Sizing Europe[5/2F]11-7
06/02/10	NAA 16HyNvCh,11K	160 lbs	M P Walsh	1/5 13l, Fosters Cross[4/11F]11-6

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3

Cornas (NZ) L Aspell N Williams

9 yrs / 164 lbs -16417

153

CommentCornas

Solid handicapper; minor role likely

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
18/02/11	NBY 17GSCl1 G2Ch,17K	164 lbs	Daryl Jacob	7/7 39l, French Opera[7/1]11-5
08/01/11	SAN 16SftCl2 ChHc,13K	156 lbs	Leighton Aspell	1/9 2 3/4l, Tchico Polos[14/1]11-6 tongue str
11/12/10	CHL 16GSCl2 ChHc,13K	162 lbs	Daryl Jacob	4/13 23 1/2l, Woolcombe Folly[8/1]11-7
02/11/10	EXE 17GSCl1 G2ChHc,40K	144 lbs	Barry Geraghty	6/9 13 3/4l, Tchico Polos[7/2]10-4 tongue str
10/10/10	LIM 17GdG3Ch,18K	159 lbs	Daryl Jacob	1/5 3l, Cruising Katie[11/8]10-9

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4

French Opera A Tinkler N Henderson

8 yrs / 164 lbs 121-91

164

CommentFrench Opera

Another gap to bridge but could get in the money

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
18/02/11	NBY 17GSCl1 G2Ch,17K	159 lbs	Barry Geraghty	1/7 6l, Tchico Polos[7/2]11-6 tongue str
08/01/11	SAN 16SftCl2 ChHc,13K	166 lbs	Barry Geraghty	9/9 34 1/4l, Cornas[5/1]11-2
17/04/10	AYR 20GdCl1 NvG2Ch,23K	161 lbs	Barry Geraghty	1/5 6l, Tchico Polos[7/4F]11-7 tongue str
19/03/10	CHL 16SftCl1 G3ChHc,46K	159 lbs	David Bass	2/19 1 1/4l, Pigeon Island[10/1]10-1 blinkers
12/12/09	CHL 16SftCl2 ChHc,14K	164 lbs	Barry Geraghty	1/12 1 1/4l, Free World[7/2]11-12

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5

Golden Silver (FR) P Townend W Mullins

9 yrs / 164 lbs 212111

168

CommentGolden Silver

Foiled Big Zeb in January; failed to perform previous visits here

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
20/02/11	NAA 16Sft/HyG2Ch,26K	166 lbs	P Townend	1/3 7l, Made In Taipan[2/13F]11-10
30/01/11	PUN 16SftG2Ch,22K	166 lbs	P Townend	1/5 1/2l, Big Zeb[3/1]11-12
16/01/11	FAI 17HyG2Ch,21K	166 lbs	P Townend	1/4 5 1/2l, Rubi Light[2/11F]11-7
29/12/10	LEO 17HyG1Ch,58K	166 lbs	P Townend	2/4 1 3/4l, Big Zeb[15/8]11-12
15/12/10	FAI 17SftG2Ch,29K	166 lbs	P Townend	1/8 4 1/2l, Zaarito[4/6F]11-4

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6

I'm So Lucky T Scudamore D Pipe

9 yrs / 164 lbs 821-46

153

CommentI'm So Lucky

Ground will suit but marked improvement needed in blinkers

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
22/01/11	ASC 17GSCl1 G1Ch,59K	161 lbs	Tom Scudamore	6/9 37l, Master Minded[33/1]11-7
11/12/10	CHL 16GSCl1 G1Ch,34K	161 lbs	Tom Scudamore	4/9 20 1/2l, Master Minded[22/1]11-7
24/04/10	SAN 16GdCl1 G2Ch,43K	156 lbs	Tom Scudamore	1/8 6l, Oiseau De Nuit[9/1]11-2 tongue str
14/04/10	CHL 21GdCl1 G2ChHc,27K	137 lbs	K M Donoghue	2/7 Nk, Duc De Regniere[9/1]10-9
18/03/10	CHL 21GdCl1 G3ChHc,46K	144 lbs	Denis O'Regan	8/24 26l, Great Endeavour[11/1]10-1

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7

Mad Max (IRE) P Carberry N Henderson

9 yrs / 164 lbs 41-463

155

CommentMad Max

Found wanting at highest level and minor role likely

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
22/01/11	ASC 17GSCl1 G1Ch,59K	161 lbs	David Bass	3/9 20 1/4l, Master Minded[8/1]11-7
11/12/10	CHL 21GSCl1 G3ChHc,86K	160 lbs	P Carberry	6/16 24 1/2l, Poquelin[10/1]11-7
13/11/10	CHL 20GSCl1 G3ChHc,86K	159 lbs	Barry Geraghty	4/18 16 3/4l, Little Josh[15/2]10-5
08/04/10	Ain 20GdCl1 NvG2Ch,46K	158 lbs	Barry Geraghty	1/6 9l, Somersby[4/1]11-4
16/03/10	CHL 16GSCl1 G1Ch,86K	161 lbs	P Carberry	4/12 5 1/4l, Sizing Europe[25/1]11-7

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8

Master Minded (FR) R Walsh P Nicholls

8 yrs / 164 lbs 14-111

175

CommentMaster Minded

Strong form claim but drying ground an obvious concern

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
22/01/11	ASC 17GSCl1 G1Ch,59K	161 lbs	A P McCoy	1/9 Sht-hd, Somersby[4/7F]11-7
11/12/10	CHL 16GSCl1 G1Ch,34K	161 lbs	Noel Fehily	1/9 8l, Petit Robin[10/11F]11-7
20/11/10	ASC 19GSCl1 G2Ch,29K	165 lbs	Noel Fehily	1/6 16l, I'msingingtheblues[5/6F]11-1 tongue str
17/03/10	CHL 16GdCl1 G1Ch,182K	164 lbs	R Walsh	4/9 9 3/4l, Big Zeb[4/5F]11-10
13/02/10	NBY 17GSCl1 G2Ch,31K	164 lbs	R Walsh	1/5 13l, Mahogany Blaze[8/13F]11-0 blinkers

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9

Sizing Europe (IRE) A E Lynch H De Bromhead

9 yrs / 164 lbs 13-223

160

CommentSizing Europe

Unbeaten in novice chases but found wanting in open company since

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
30/01/11	PUN 16SftG2Ch,22K	166 lbs	A E Lynch	3/5 7 1/2l, Golden Silver[4/1]11-12
06/11/10	DRO 24SftG1Ch,74K	164 lbs	A E Lynch	2/7 4l, Kauto Star[5/1]11-10 tongue str
14/10/10	PUN 23GdG3Ch,18K	164 lbs	A E Lynch	2/4 7l, China Rock[5/4F]11-8
20/04/10	PUN 16GdG1Ch,77K	166 lbs	A E Lynch	3/11 7l, Golden Silver[5/2F]11-12
16/03/10	CHL 16GSCl1 G1Ch,86K	161 lbs	A E Lynch	1/12 3/4l, Somersby[6/1]11-7

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10

Somersby (IRE) R Thornton Miss H Knight

7 yrs / 164 lbs 22-332

170

CommentSomersby

Outpaced at crucial stage on big occasions; vulnerable again

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
22/01/11	ASC 17GSCl1 G1Ch,59K	161 lbs	Hadden Frost	2/9 Sht-hd, Master Minded[8/1]11-7
11/12/10	CHL 16GSCl1 G1Ch,34K	161 lbs	Hadden Frost	3/9 8 1/2l, Master Minded[13/2]11-7
02/11/10	EXE 17GSCl1 G2ChHc,40K	147 lbs	Hadden Frost	3/9 3 1/2l, Tchico Polos[9/4F]10-4 tongue str
08/04/10	Ain 20GdCl1 NvG2Ch,46K	158 lbs	Robert Thornton	2/6 9l, Mad Max[6/4F]11-4
16/03/10	CHL 16GSCl1 G1Ch,86K	161 lbs	Robert Thornton	2/12 3/4l, Sizing Europe[4/1]11-7

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11

Woolcombe Folly (IRE) D Jacob P Nicholls

8 yrs / 164 lbs 101-11

169

CommentWoolcombe Folly

Much improved in handicaps this term and can play big part

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
11/12/10	CHL 16GSCl2 ChHc,13K	161 lbs	Mr R Mahon	1/13 6l, Tanks For That[4/1F]10-7
20/11/10	ASC 17GSCl2 ChHc,19K	160 lbs	Noel Fehily	1/8 5l, Piraya[7/2F]11-4 tongue str
16/04/10	CHL 16GdCl2 NvCh,11K	162 lbs	A P McCoy	1/3 1l, Line Artic[1/2F]11-1
16/03/10	CHL 16GSCl1 G1Ch,86K	161 lbs	Nick Scholfield	12/12 34l, Sizing Europe[25/1]11-7
06/02/10	DON 16GSCl1 NvG2Ch,17K	154 lbs	R Walsh	1/5 nse, I'm Delilah[7/2]10-11

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Captain Cee Bee consolidated his Champion Chase claims for 2011 with a good victory on his seasonal debut, the 2008 Supreme Novices winner won the Poplar Stakes Chase at Naas back in October. He followed that up though with a poor run over Christmas, he was never in the race as he came last behind Big Zeb and Golden Silver in the Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown and his odds drifted as a result.

The current Champion Chaser Big Zeb made his seasonal debut at Navan and he looked in fine form, he cruised to victory in the Fortria Chase beating the likes of Golden Silver and Joncol and looked to be ready for another big campaign. He backed that up with an equally impressive win at Leopardstown in the Dial-a-bet Chase at Christmas, he dispatched a good field that day and looked to be progessing well towards the Festival. Big Zeb has drifted in the market though following his defeat ro Golden Silver in the Tied Cottage Chase last time out, Zeb was collared on the line by Golden Silver and his Champion Chase hopes have been dented as a result.

We saw the return of Master Minded at Ascot in the Amlin Chase in November and he looked near to his very best as he hosed up to win by some distance, it was an impressive run from the dual Champion Chase winner ahead of another tilt at the Festival. That form was confirmed when he produced a vintage display to win the Tingle Creek back at Cheltenham in December, he jumped with ease and stormed clear of a good field when asked to quicken by Noel Fehily and looked back to his best. Master Minded also won the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot on his final run before Cheltenham, he was less impressive though only just holding on from a fast finishing Somersby and both will head straight to the Champion Chase.

Paul Nicholls has another potential Champion Chase star on his hands with the impressive Woolcombe Folly entering the picture, he was an impressive winner of the Jenny Mould Memorial Handicap at the International Meeting in December to see his odds cut. It was his second win of the season and he looks an improving type so could be one to watch despite perhaps not being in the class of Big Zeb and Master Minded.

Willie Mullins always tends to have a strong hand in the big races and in Golden Silver he looks to have a real Champion Chase contender this season. The horse won the O'Connell Group Hilly Way Chase at Fairyhouse in December with supreme ease and was cut across the board as a result, at the moment he looks great each-way value as he jumps and travels with the style needed in this company. He proved this once again with a good second place in the Dial-a-Bet Chase at Leopardstown at Christmas, he ran well without ever looking like beating Big Zeb that day.

The Willie Mullins horse has finally defeated Big Zeb at the 5th time of asking in the Tied Cottage Chase at the end of January with an impressive run, before completing his Champion Chase prep with another good win at Naas last time out. Mullins was also quick to say after the race that he due to his form Golden Silver will be able to take his chance in the Champion Chase rather than the extra Ryanair Chase trip.

Henry De Bromhead has confirmed that his Arkle winner from last season Sizing Europe will go to the Champion Chase after their experiment over 3 miles has been scrapped for the time being. He started his season back in October when second behind China Rock in the Star 'Best For Racing Coverage' Chase at Punchestown over 2m 7f. He followed that up with a better run over 3 miles for the first time when second behind Kauto Star, it was a better performance from him over the extra trip. He was switched back to 2 miles last time out in the Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown and finished third behind Golden Silver and Big Zeb. His form has been up and down this season but his run in the Arkle last season means he has to be taken seriously over the same course and distance.

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