The Champion Chase can be over in a handful of decisions: a stride adjusted, a rival pressed, a position surrendered. At this level, jumping is not a separate decoration added to raw speed. It is part of how that speed is delivered. A horse’s best chance depends on getting both right under pressure.
Find the strongest evidence, not the loudest reputation
This is the two-mile championship chase on the Old Course. Begin with performances against serious opposition, then ask whether the conditions of those races resemble the likely Festival test. A comfortable win at another track can be excellent form without being a perfect rehearsal.
Look beyond the winning margin. A horse allowed to dictate may have had more control than the result suggests. A runner beaten after an early mistake may have spent much of the race repairing the damage. Both observations belong in the comparison.
Queen Mother Champion Chase
Stats & trends.
Go beyond the winner. Study the price, the preparation and the next run. The detail is yours to explore.
Winners returned as favourite, joint or co-favourite
calculated from listed winner records
Above: shares calculated from the listed winners. These are historical characteristics, not a runner’s chance of winning.
Every winner. Every detail.
2015–2026 · Follow the same horses from their preparation to what happened next.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Age | Weight | Price | Runners | Fav. position | Rating | Season | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Runs | Wins | ||||||||||
| 2026 | Il Etait Temps | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins | 8 | 11-10 | 5/2 2F | 10 | 7th | 172 | 3 | 2 |
| 2025 | Marine Nationale | Sean Flanagan | Barry Connell | 8 | 11-10 | 5/1 2F | 8 | 2nd | 159 | 3 | 0 |
| 2024 | Captain Guinness | Rachael Blackmore | Henry de Bromhead | 9 | 11-10 | 17/2 3F | 6 | PU | 162 | 3 | 1 |
| 2023 | Energumene | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins | 9 | 11-10 | 6/5 F | 7 | 1st | 175 | 2 | 1 |
| 2022 | Energumene | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins | 8 | 11-10 | 5/2 2F | 7 | PU | 175 | 2 | 1 |
| 2021 | Put The Kettle On | Aidan Coleman | Henry de Bromhead | 7 | 11-3 | 17/2 2F | 9 | 3rd | 156 | 2 | 1 |
| 2020 | Politologue | Harry Skelton | Paul Nicholls | 9 | 11-10 | 6/1 2F | 5 | 4th | 165 | 2 | 0 |
| 2019 | Altior | Nico de Boinville | Nicky Henderson | 9 | 11-10 | 4/11 F | 9 | 1st | 175 | 3 | 3 |
| 2018 | Altior | Nico de Boinville | Nicky Henderson | 8 | 11-10 | Evs F | 9 | 1st | 170 | 1 | 1 |
| 2017 | Special Tiara | Noel Fehily | Henry de Bromhead | 10 | 11-10 | 11/1 | 10 | 7th | 159 | 3 | 1 |
| 2016 | Sprinter Sacre | Nico de Boinville | Nicky Henderson | 10 | 11-10 | 5/1 2F | 10 | 2nd | 170 | 2 | 2 |
| 2015 | Dodging Bullets | Sam Twiston-Davies | Paul Nicholls | 7 | 11-10 | 9/2 3F | 9 | PU | 171 | 3 | 2 |
2026Il Etait TempsAGE 8 · 11-105/2 2F
- Jockey
- Paul Townend
- Trainer
- Willie Mullins
- Age
- 8
- Weight
- 11-10
- Price
- 5/2 2F
- Runners
- 10
- Favourite position
- 7th
- Rating
- 172
- Season R / W
- 3/2
2025Marine NationaleAGE 8 · 11-105/1 2F
- Jockey
- Sean Flanagan
- Trainer
- Barry Connell
- Age
- 8
- Weight
- 11-10
- Price
- 5/1 2F
- Runners
- 8
- Favourite position
- 2nd
- Rating
- 159
- Season R / W
- 3/0
2024Captain GuinnessAGE 9 · 11-1017/2 3F
- Jockey
- Rachael Blackmore
- Trainer
- Henry de Bromhead
- Age
- 9
- Weight
- 11-10
- Price
- 17/2 3F
- Runners
- 6
- Favourite position
- PU
- Rating
- 162
- Season R / W
- 3/1
2023EnergumeneAGE 9 · 11-106/5 F
- Jockey
- Paul Townend
- Trainer
- Willie Mullins
- Age
- 9
- Weight
- 11-10
- Price
- 6/5 F
- Runners
- 7
- Favourite position
- 1st
- Rating
- 175
- Season R / W
- 2/1
2022EnergumeneAGE 8 · 11-105/2 2F
- Jockey
- Paul Townend
- Trainer
- Willie Mullins
- Age
- 8
- Weight
- 11-10
- Price
- 5/2 2F
- Runners
- 7
- Favourite position
- PU
- Rating
- 175
- Season R / W
- 2/1
2021Put The Kettle OnAGE 7 · 11-317/2 2F
- Jockey
- Aidan Coleman
- Trainer
- Henry de Bromhead
- Age
- 7
- Weight
- 11-3
- Price
- 17/2 2F
- Runners
- 9
- Favourite position
- 3rd
- Rating
- 156
- Season R / W
- 2/1
2020PolitologueAGE 9 · 11-106/1 2F
- Jockey
- Harry Skelton
- Trainer
- Paul Nicholls
- Age
- 9
- Weight
- 11-10
- Price
- 6/1 2F
- Runners
- 5
- Favourite position
- 4th
- Rating
- 165
- Season R / W
- 2/0
2019AltiorAGE 9 · 11-104/11 F
- Jockey
- Nico de Boinville
- Trainer
- Nicky Henderson
- Age
- 9
- Weight
- 11-10
- Price
- 4/11 F
- Runners
- 9
- Favourite position
- 1st
- Rating
- 175
- Season R / W
- 3/3
2018AltiorAGE 8 · 11-10Evs F
- Jockey
- Nico de Boinville
- Trainer
- Nicky Henderson
- Age
- 8
- Weight
- 11-10
- Price
- Evs F
- Runners
- 9
- Favourite position
- 1st
- Rating
- 170
- Season R / W
- 1/1
2017Special TiaraAGE 10 · 11-1011/1
- Jockey
- Noel Fehily
- Trainer
- Henry de Bromhead
- Age
- 10
- Weight
- 11-10
- Price
- 11/1
- Runners
- 10
- Favourite position
- 7th
- Rating
- 159
- Season R / W
- 3/1
2016Sprinter SacreAGE 10 · 11-105/1 2F
- Jockey
- Nico de Boinville
- Trainer
- Nicky Henderson
- Age
- 10
- Weight
- 11-10
- Price
- 5/1 2F
- Runners
- 10
- Favourite position
- 2nd
- Rating
- 170
- Season R / W
- 2/2
2015Dodging BulletsAGE 7 · 11-109/2 3F
- Jockey
- Sam Twiston-Davies
- Trainer
- Paul Nicholls
- Age
- 7
- Weight
- 11-10
- Price
- 9/2 3F
- Runners
- 9
- Favourite position
- PU
- Rating
- 171
- Season R / W
- 3/2
| Year | Winner | Cheltenham | Distance Form (15-17f) | Hurdle | Chase | Previous race | Days since run | Previous result | Grade Wins | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Runs | Wins | Runs | Wins | Runs | Wins | Runs | Wins | Grade 1 wins | Grade 2 wins | Grade 3 wins | |||||
| 2026 | Il Etait Temps | 3 | 0 | 14 | 6 | 8 | 2 | 10 | 7 | Clarence House Chase (Ascot) | 53 | F / 4 | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | Marine Nationale | 1 | 1 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 1 | Dublin Chase (Leopardstown) | 38 | 2 / 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | Captain Guinness | 3 | 0 | 21 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 19 | 5 | Dublin Chase (Leopardstown) | 38 | 3 / 5 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 2023 | Energumene | 2 | 1 | 12 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 8 | Clarence House Chase (Ascot) | 46 | 3 / 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| 2022 | Energumene | 0 | 0 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 | Clarence House Chase (Ascot) | 53 | 2 / 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 2021 | Put The Kettle On | 3 | 3 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 2 | 8 | 6 | Paddy Power Chase (Leopardstown) | 80 | 3 / 6 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 2020 | Politologue | 6 | 0 | 11 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 19 | 8 | Tingle Creek Chase (Sandown) | 95 | 5 / 8 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| 2019 | Altior | 4 | 4 | 19 | 17 | 5 | 5 | 12 | 12 | Clarence House Chase (Ascot) | 53 | 1 / 3 | 8 | 5 | 0 |
| 2018 | Altior | 3 | 3 | 14 | 12 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 7 | Game Spirit Chase (Newbury) | 32 | 1 / 3 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| 2017 | Special Tiara | 6 | 0 | 25 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 22 | 5 | Clarence House Chase (Ascot) | 46 | 5 / 7 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 2016 | Sprinter Sacre | 6 | 4 | 20 | 16 | 4 | 2 | 16 | 12 | Desert Orchid Chase (Kempton) | 80 | 1 / 5 | 7 | 4 | 0 |
| 2015 | Dodging Bullets | 7 | 3 | 15 | 7 | 8 | 2 | 9 | 5 | Clarence House Chase (Ascot) | 53 | 1 / 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
2026Il Etait TempsBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 3/0
- Distance Form (15-17f) R / W
- 14/6
- Hurdle R / W
- 8/2
- Chase R / W
- 10/7
- Previous race
- Clarence House Chase (Ascot)
- Days since run
- 53
- Previous result
- F / 4
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 6/1/0
2025Marine NationaleBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 1/1
- Distance Form (15-17f) R / W
- 10/6
- Hurdle R / W
- 3/3
- Chase R / W
- 5/1
- Previous race
- Dublin Chase (Leopardstown)
- Days since run
- 38
- Previous result
- 2 / 8
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 2/0/0
2024Captain GuinnessBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 3/0
- Distance Form (15-17f) R / W
- 21/6
- Hurdle R / W
- 3/1
- Chase R / W
- 19/5
- Previous race
- Dublin Chase (Leopardstown)
- Days since run
- 38
- Previous result
- 3 / 5
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 0/2/2
2023EnergumeneBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 2/1
- Distance Form (15-17f) R / W
- 12/9
- Hurdle R / W
- 1/1
- Chase R / W
- 10/8
- Previous race
- Clarence House Chase (Ascot)
- Days since run
- 46
- Previous result
- 3 / 6
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 4/2/0
2022EnergumeneBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 0/0
- Distance Form (15-17f) R / W
- 8/6
- Hurdle R / W
- 1/1
- Chase R / W
- 6/5
- Previous race
- Clarence House Chase (Ascot)
- Days since run
- 53
- Previous result
- 2 / 4
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 2/1/0
2021Put The Kettle OnBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 3/3
- Distance Form (15-17f) R / W
- 8/4
- Hurdle R / W
- 7/2
- Chase R / W
- 8/6
- Previous race
- Paddy Power Chase (Leopardstown)
- Days since run
- 80
- Previous result
- 3 / 6
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 1/2/0
2020PolitologueBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 6/0
- Distance Form (15-17f) R / W
- 11/3
- Hurdle R / W
- 6/2
- Chase R / W
- 19/8
- Previous race
- Tingle Creek Chase (Sandown)
- Days since run
- 95
- Previous result
- 5 / 8
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 2/4/0
2019AltiorBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 4/4
- Distance Form (15-17f) R / W
- 19/17
- Hurdle R / W
- 5/5
- Chase R / W
- 12/12
- Previous race
- Clarence House Chase (Ascot)
- Days since run
- 53
- Previous result
- 1 / 3
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 8/5/0
2018AltiorBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 3/3
- Distance Form (15-17f) R / W
- 14/12
- Hurdle R / W
- 5/5
- Chase R / W
- 7/7
- Previous race
- Game Spirit Chase (Newbury)
- Days since run
- 32
- Previous result
- 1 / 3
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 4/4/0
2017Special TiaraBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 6/0
- Distance Form (15-17f) R / W
- 25/6
- Hurdle R / W
- 4/1
- Chase R / W
- 22/5
- Previous race
- Clarence House Chase (Ascot)
- Days since run
- 46
- Previous result
- 5 / 7
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 2/2/0
2016Sprinter SacreBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 6/4
- Distance Form (15-17f) R / W
- 20/16
- Hurdle R / W
- 4/2
- Chase R / W
- 16/12
- Previous race
- Desert Orchid Chase (Kempton)
- Days since run
- 80
- Previous result
- 1 / 5
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 7/4/0
2015Dodging BulletsBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 7/3
- Distance Form (15-17f) R / W
- 15/7
- Hurdle R / W
- 8/2
- Chase R / W
- 9/5
- Previous race
- Clarence House Chase (Ascot)
- Days since run
- 53
- Previous result
- 1 / 5
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 2/3/0
| Year | Winner | Next run | Date | Result | Rest-of-season runs | Rest-of-season results | Next Cheltenham Festival run | Festival result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Il Etait Temps | Champion Chase (Punchestown) | Apr-26 | 1 / 5 | 1 | 1 win, 0 placed | - | - |
| 2025 | Marine Nationale | Champion Chase (Punchestown) | Apr-25 | 1 / 6 | 1 | 1 win, 0 placed | - | - |
| 2024 | Captain Guinness | Champion Chase (Punchestown) | Apr-24 | 2 / 9 | 1 | 0 wins, 1 placed | Champion Chase | 3 / 8 |
| 2023 | Energumene | Champion Chase (Punchestown) | Apr-23 | 1 / 5 | 1 | 1 win, 0 placed | - | - |
| 2022 | Energumene | Champion Chase (Punchestown) | Apr-22 | 1 / 5 | 1 | 1 win, 0 placed | Champion Chase | 1 / 7 |
| 2021 | Put The Kettle On | Celebration Chase (Sandown) | Apr-21 | 4 / 7 | 1 | 0 wins, 0 placed | Champion Chase | 5 / 7 |
| 2020 | Politologue | Tingle Creek Chase (Sandown) | Dec-20 | 1 / 5 | 0 | - | - | - |
| 2019 | Altior | Celebration Chase (Sandown) | Apr-19 | 1 / 5 | 1 | 1 win, 0 placed | - | - |
| 2018 | Altior | Celebration Chase (Sandown) | Apr-18 | 1 / 6 | 1 | 1 win, 0 placed | Champion Chase | 1 / 9 |
| 2017 | Special Tiara | Celebration Chase (Sandown) | Apr-17 | 2 / 4 | 1 | 0 wins, 1 placed | Champion Chase | PU / 9 |
| 2016 | Sprinter Sacre | Celebration Chase (Sandown) | Apr-16 | 1 / 6 | 1 | 1 win, 0 placed | - | - |
| 2015 | Dodging Bullets | Game Spirit Chase (Newbury) | Feb-16 | 2 / 4 | 0 | - | Champion Chase | 7 / 10 |
2026Il Etait TempsTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Champion Chase (Punchestown)
- Date
- Apr-26
- Result
- 1 / 5
- Season runs after
- 1
- Season results after
- 1 win, 0 placed
- Next Festival run
- -
- Festival result
- -
2025Marine NationaleTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Champion Chase (Punchestown)
- Date
- Apr-25
- Result
- 1 / 6
- Season runs after
- 1
- Season results after
- 1 win, 0 placed
- Next Festival run
- -
- Festival result
- -
2024Captain GuinnessTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Champion Chase (Punchestown)
- Date
- Apr-24
- Result
- 2 / 9
- Season runs after
- 1
- Season results after
- 0 wins, 1 placed
- Next Festival run
- Champion Chase
- Festival result
- 3 / 8
2023EnergumeneTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Champion Chase (Punchestown)
- Date
- Apr-23
- Result
- 1 / 5
- Season runs after
- 1
- Season results after
- 1 win, 0 placed
- Next Festival run
- -
- Festival result
- -
2022EnergumeneTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Champion Chase (Punchestown)
- Date
- Apr-22
- Result
- 1 / 5
- Season runs after
- 1
- Season results after
- 1 win, 0 placed
- Next Festival run
- Champion Chase
- Festival result
- 1 / 7
2021Put The Kettle OnTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Celebration Chase (Sandown)
- Date
- Apr-21
- Result
- 4 / 7
- Season runs after
- 1
- Season results after
- 0 wins, 0 placed
- Next Festival run
- Champion Chase
- Festival result
- 5 / 7
2020PolitologueTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Tingle Creek Chase (Sandown)
- Date
- Dec-20
- Result
- 1 / 5
- Season runs after
- 0
- Season results after
- -
- Next Festival run
- -
- Festival result
- -
2019AltiorTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Celebration Chase (Sandown)
- Date
- Apr-19
- Result
- 1 / 5
- Season runs after
- 1
- Season results after
- 1 win, 0 placed
- Next Festival run
- -
- Festival result
- -
2018AltiorTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Celebration Chase (Sandown)
- Date
- Apr-18
- Result
- 1 / 6
- Season runs after
- 1
- Season results after
- 1 win, 0 placed
- Next Festival run
- Champion Chase
- Festival result
- 1 / 9
2017Special TiaraTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Celebration Chase (Sandown)
- Date
- Apr-17
- Result
- 2 / 4
- Season runs after
- 1
- Season results after
- 0 wins, 1 placed
- Next Festival run
- Champion Chase
- Festival result
- PU / 9
2016Sprinter SacreTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Celebration Chase (Sandown)
- Date
- Apr-16
- Result
- 1 / 6
- Season runs after
- 1
- Season results after
- 1 win, 0 placed
- Next Festival run
- -
- Festival result
- -
2015Dodging BulletsTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Game Spirit Chase (Newbury)
- Date
- Feb-16
- Result
- 2 / 4
- Season runs after
- 0
- Season results after
- -
- Next Festival run
- Champion Chase
- Festival result
- 7 / 10
The winner profile.
Calculated from the detailed winner records above. Missing values are excluded from each calculation, so denominators can differ.
| Category | Profile angle | Winners | Share of winners | Study list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MarketTABLE CALCULATION | Started favourite / joint or co-favourite | 3/12 | ||
| MarketTABLE CALCULATION | Top three in the betting | 11/12 | ||
| Recent formTABLE CALCULATION | Won previous start | 4/12 | ||
| CourseTABLE CALCULATION | Had already won at Cheltenham | 7/12 | ||
| CourseTABLE CALCULATION | Had already run at Cheltenham | 11/12 | ||
| DistanceTABLE CALCULATION | Had won over the listed distance band | 12/12 | ||
| DistanceTABLE CALCULATION | Had run over the listed distance band | 12/12 | ||
| SeasonTABLE CALCULATION | Had at least one win that season | 10/12 | ||
| SeasonTABLE CALCULATION | Had at least three runs that season | 6/12 | ||
| Recent formTABLE CALCULATION | Ran within the previous 60 days | 9/12 | ||
| RatingTABLE CALCULATION | Rated 150 or higher | 12/12 | ||
| AgeTABLE CALCULATION | Aged 7 | 2/12 | ||
| AgeTABLE CALCULATION | Aged 8 | 4/12 | ||
| AgeTABLE CALCULATION | Aged 9 | 4/12 | ||
| AgeTABLE CALCULATION | Aged 10 | 2/12 |
Follow-up summary
Reported follow-up figures remain distinct from the detailed winner tables.
Won on next start
Top two on next start
Raced again that season
Won again that season
Placed again that season
Next-start destinations
| Destination | Went | Won | Placed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Celebration Chase (Sandown) | 5/12 | 3/5 | 1 |
| Champion Chase (Punchestown) | 5/12 | 4/5 | 1 |
Festival returns
| Destination | Went | Won | Placed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Queen Mother Champion Chase | 6/12 | 2/6 | 1 |
Sample notes and interpretation
- R / W = runs / wins before the Festival race. A dash is a missing or unreported value, not zero. Price suffixes: F = favourite, JF = joint favourite, CF = co-favourite, 2F / 3F = second / third favourite.
- The favourite-position column records the listed result of the favourite(s). Price suffixes identify the winner’s position in the market. These fields are retained independently.
- All listed rows are retained, including blank years. Winner counts exclude rows with no named winner. Later missing results do not imply a loss.
- Summary ratios are retained as reported and may not reconcile with every detailed table cell. They are displayed separately from calculations made from the winner records. A high winner share is not a selection strike rate or evidence of profit.
- “Won” and “placed” are retained as separate reported outcomes. No combined place rate or profit is inferred.
Pressure changes the jumping question
Watch how each contender performs when another horse comes alongside. Does it maintain its line? Does it shorten safely when asked, or insist on taking off from too far away? A small recurring flaw matters more when the opposition can punish it immediately.
A previous Cheltenham defeat deserves examination rather than a label. Was the ground unsuitable, did the horse race too freely, or was it simply beaten by a better performance? “Does not like Cheltenham” is a conclusion that needs evidence, especially when different races asked different questions.
A favourite can be strong and still be too short
Compare the likely pace and how many credible rivals can apply pressure. The market leader’s chance may be high, yet the price can leave very little room for a jumping error or an awkward tactical scenario.
That does not mean opposing every short-priced favourite. It means being clear about the distinction between selecting the most likely winner and accepting the terms on offer. Use the full record, including defeats and non-completions, when deciding how dependable a supposedly straightforward case really is.
Previous renewals
The 2027 runners
Declarations will settle the field.
The 2027 runners are not yet declared. A past winner or a horse quoted in an ante-post market is not a confirmed runner. Check entries, connections’ published plans and the final declarations before treating a horse as part of this field.
No live prices or confirmed 2027 runner list are presented in this guide. Reviewed 11 November 2026.
Your questions, answered
Is the Queen Mother Champion Chase a novice race?
No. It is the open two-mile championship chase; the Arkle is the corresponding novice championship.
Does a high favourite strike rate prove value?
No. A profitable record depends on the prices paid as well as the frequency of winners.
Sources & editorial notes
Reviewed 11 November 2026. Interpretation is Puntrr’s; factual results and conditions are linked below.