Ruby Walsh tips Edwardstone to beat Energumene in the Champion Chase
‘Edwardstone wins this all day long’: Racing TV columnist Lydia Hislop backs the joint-favourite to beat rival Energumene in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham, and Ruby Walsh agrees… as he claims the horse has improved since last year
- Edwardstone and Energumene will go head-to-head in the Champion Chase
- Lydia Hislop is very confident that Edwardstone will beat his main rival
- Ruby Walsh also believes Edwardstone will win thanks to his improvements
Edwardstone has been backed to get the better of Energumene in the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival next week.
According to Paddy Power’s odds, next Wednesday’s race could be one of the most keenly-contested of the festival, with Edwardstone and Energumene joint-favourites at 7/4.
But Racing TV columinst Lydia Hislop is supremely confident it will be the former that comes out on top.
‘Edwardstone wins this all day long,’ she said, as she analysed the race for Paddy Power’s Cheltenham Preview Night.
Energumene has won eight of his 10 chases, but failed to impress at the Clarence House Chase in January.
Edwardstone (pictured) is the joint-favourite for the Champion Chase at Cheltenham
He looks set for a head-to-head battle with Energumene (pictured) in Wednesday’s race
Lydia Hislop and Ruby Walsh both think Edwardstone will beat Energumene at Cheltenham
Trainer Tony Mullins has noted that those around Energumene have tried to play down any concerns after that performance, but he feels it is significant and gives Edwardstone the edge ahead of their anticipated head-to-head battle.
‘Nobody seems worried about Energumene’s Clarence House run. I would be. To me it looked a flat run, and I think Edwardstone wins,’ he said.
Legendary jockey Ruby Walsh was in agreement with his fellow pundits, and pointed out Edwardstone has gone from strength to strength over the past 12 months.
‘I’m with Tony. To me, Edwardstone has improved this year. I think he’s a better horse this year and I think he’ll win the Champion Chase,’ Walsh added.
It was a clean sweep from the Paddy Power panel, as Racing Post writer David Jennings tipped Edwardstone to pip his rival as well.
‘His (Edwardstone) whole career he’s been a better horse than I think he’s given credit for. I think he’ll win,’ Jennings declared.
CHAMPION CHASE ODDS
Energumene – 7/4
Edwardstone – 7/4
Editeur Du Gite – 11/2
Blue Lord – 8/1
Gentleman De Mee – 8/1
Nube Negra – 20/1
Greaneteen – 25/1
Chacun Pour Soi – 25/1
Funambule Sivola – 33/1
Captain Guinness – 50/1
Coeur Sublime – 100/1
*Odds provided by Paddy Power
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