Adam Williams presents his prediction for the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal (Grade 1, 3m, 5yo+) horse racing event.
Last year's prize winner, Gerri Colombe, goes into this year's race as the favourite. The eight-year-old gelding concluded last season with a victory in the Bowl Chase at Aintree and has yet to make his season debut. Gordon Elliott’s charge has never finished worse than second in his career, including a win in point-to-point. He is currently priced at 3/5 on Unibet to secure a consecutive victory here.
Envoi Allen, who narrowly missed out to Gerri Colombe by a neck last year, is being backed for the runner-up position. He too has not yet raced this season, and in April, he finished last among four finishers in the Melling Chase. Although a couple of years older than Gerri Colombe, age should not be a significant factor yet. Envoi Allen has not won since March 2023, when he captured the Ryanair Chase but did win this prize back in 2022.
Hewick, who earned the title of American Champion Steeplechase Horse in 2022, kicked off this season with a third-place finish at Punchestown. Last year, he notched a victory in the King George before returning to hurdle races, but hasn’t claimed a win since.
Delta Work represents Gigginstown. At 11, he is the oldest competitor in the field, although he finished second in the Grand National earlier this year. He has not yet opened his season, and against this competition, he may find the going tough.
Visionarian is the only one to have raced this season. On the 5th of October at Gowran Park, he won the Champion Chase, surpassing French Dynamite. Subsequently, French Dynamite clinched the BetVictor Chase, where Hewick finished third, somewhat validating Visionarian's form.
