Politologue takes full advantage of Champion Chase chance

PA Sport Reporters
March 11, 2020 6:30 pm

Day two highlight goes to Nicholls-trained grey.

Politologue took his opportunity to cause an upset in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase, as he grabbed Cheltenham’s two-mile showpiece at the third attempt.

With the odds-on Defi Du Seuil failing to fire and Altior and Chacun Pour Soir late withdrawals, connections of the Paul Nicholls-trained grey grabbed the chance with both hands.

Harry Skelton sent Politologue to the front from the start and was always in control, triumphing from stablemate Dyanmite Dollars.

Defi De Seuil’s reverse was the only blip in an otherwise great day for owner JP McManus.

Jump racing’s greatest patron had a fantastic four-timer, with the Nicky Henderson-trained pair of Champ in the RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase and Dame De Compagnie in the Coral Cup, the David Cottin-trained Easysland in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase and Aramax, trained by Gordon Elliott, in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle.

Elliott was also on target with Envoi Allen, who looked a star in the making when extending his unbeaten record to eight in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle. Envoi Allen’s owners Cheveley Park Stud topped and tailed the card, with the Willie Mullins-trained Ferny Hollow lifting the Weatherbys Champion Bumper.

Picture of the day

Quote of the day

He was our best chance of the week. Everyone was here to see him and he did everything he needed to do. He jumped, he stayed and when he got to the front, he did what he had to do

Performance of the day

Easysland is set to be on the scene for some time after denying Tiger Roll a third successive win in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase. A first French-based victor in the race, the David Cottin-trained six-year-old looked the winner a long way out in the hands of Jonathan Ploughanou. While far from disgraced, Tiger Roll could not get into a position to make a challenge and Easysland galloped strongly all the way to the line to score by 17 lengths.

Ride of the day

Barry Geraghty showed persistence pays as he fired Champ to an unlikely success in the RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase. Only third over the final fence as the Irish-trained pair Minella Indo and Allaho set sail for home up the hill, Geraghty sensed he had a chance as neither of those two put in a good jump. Champ landed running and got up in the last 50 yards with his stamina coming into play.

What’s Next?

There may be a new name on the two-mile Champion Chase roll of honour, but will it be the same again in the two joint features on day three? Bryony Frost and Frodon set up golden hour on St Patrick’s Thursday last year with an historic victory in the Ryanair Chase. The dynamic duo go for a repeat, but will A Plus Tard spoil the party? Paisley Park provided the second leg of a memorable big-race double 12 months ago and will be a hot favourite to retain his crown in the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle. Before those two go to post, Faugheen has the chance to raise the roof in the Marsh Novices’ Chase, after only switching to fences this season. The 12-year-old bids to return to the heady days of his Festival victories in 2014 and 2015.