Check out our Queen Mother Champion Chase Preview with all the main contenders listed ahead of Wednesday’s feature race at the Cheltenham Festival.
Won by the likes of Sprinter Sacre, Altior and Energumene, the Champion Chase see’s the best two milers do battle. Take a look at the key contenders below…
2026 Champion Chase Preview & Leading Contenders
Majborough
Incredibly talented but has shown serious vulnerabilities over fences in his short career. Won the 2024 Triumph Hurdle and would have won the 2025 Arkle had it not been for a horrific jumping error two out. After not appearing a natural jumper, cheekpieces helped him produce a stellar performance in the Grade 1 Dublin Chase. Slower ground would be the ideal and he will no doubt stay further in time. The Willie Mullins star will be hard to beat with a clear jumping round.
Marine Nationale
2025 winner of the race and would be suited by a faster surface compared to Majborough. A faultless Cheltenham record after winning the 2023 Supreme Novices Hurdle and last year’s Champion Chase and will likely be smuggled into the race off the back of a strong pace. Well held by Majborough the last day at Leopardstown but a drying surface and a return to Prestbury Park may help him try reverse the form.
WATCH: Marine National Wins 2025 Champion Chase
The most poignant of winners!
Marine Nationale wins the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase 🏆#ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival | @swflanagan7 pic.twitter.com/dn2KQlSjj5
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 12, 2025
L’eau Du Sud
A close fourth in last year’s Arkle but elevated his form to a new level in the Shloer Chase, dismantling his rivals easily and showing his best performances come off the back of a break. Underperformed when last seen in the Tingle Creek, but his Cheltenham record is strong and he is versatile ground wise – where some of his rivals are not… A bold showing can be expected from Dan Skelton‘s charge and he represents attractive each-way value.
Quilixios
Was still held together and had a big chance when falling at the final fence in last year’s contest and seemed to be the last challenger to Marine Nationale. Beat one of the hot Cheltenham Festival favourites in Zanahiyr when winning the 2021 Triumph Hurdle but has found his wins few and far between since, albeit he picked up a Grade 3 at Naas in 2024. He’s not been seen since his final flight fall and a yearlong absence is the obvious concern but if full race fitness was assured, he would be a contender.
Solness
Doesn’t tend to produce his best at Cheltenham, but he deserves respect due to his form in Ireland, winning the 2025 Grade 1 Dublin Chase and the Grade 1 Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas for the past two renewals. He wouldn’t want soft ground and likes to be able to dominate from the front, which is also not guaranteed. It’s seemingly better to catch this horse earlier in the season when he has a race-fit edge over his rivals.
2026 Champion Chase Betting Odds
That concludes our Champion Chase preview, so see the betting market below. All the action will unfold live on ITV Racing.
- Majborough 7/4
- Marine Nationale 9/4
- L’eau Du Sud 15/2
- Il Etait Temps 8/1
- Quilixios 16/1
- Jonbon 20/1
- Thistle Ask 33/1
- Irish Panther 40/1
- Solness 40/1
- 50/1 bar
