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Champion Chase 2026 Tips - Two contenders to consider at Cheltenham

Jon Vine

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Last updated: Mon 09 Mar 2026 15:36

Jon Vine 09 Mar 2026

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Predictions and best bets for the 2026 Champion Chase
This famous Grade One takes place on day two of the Cheltenham Festival on March 11th
L'Eau Du Sud (8/1) and Saint Segal (66/1) are highlighted in our selections

Expired

Harry Skelton riding L'eau Du Sud clear the last to win The Paddy Power Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices' Chase at Cheltenham. (Getty)

Ladies' Day at the Cheltenham Festival is headlined by the Queen Mother Champion Chase, a race known for producing sensational performances and shock results.

We've analysed the field set to take part in this year's race to bring you our Champion Chase tips for 2026, including our best bet and race verdict.

Last Updated: 09.03.2026

Race Info

Race	Queen Mother Champion Chase
Date	Wednesday, March 11th, 2026
Start Time	4:00pm
Status	Grade One
Distance	2m
First Prize	£225,080
Going	NA
Runners	10
Favourite	Majborough (4/6)

2026 Champion Chase Runners

Majborough is the clear favourite to claim victory in this year's Champion Chase. A short price didn't stop Majborough from being beaten in last year's Arkle, and jumping problems plagued his first couple of runs this term. However, at the Dublin Racing Festival, Majborough was simply superb, making all to claim a 19-length victory in the Dublin Chase.

Marine Nationale was similarly dominant when winning this race 12 months ago. Barry Connell's two-time Cheltenham Festival winner laboured home behind Majborough at Leopardstown, but he clearly hated the heavy ground that day, and - like last season - his entire season has been geared around the Champion Chase.

Il Etait Temps will bolster Willie Mullins' challenge, despite a poor record around Cheltenham. Mullins' grey has been excellent on his last two outings around Sandown, but didn't look himself when last seen in the Clarence House Chase and took a crashing fall at the second-last.

Jonbon was the beneficiary that day, pouncing late to reel in Thistle Ask and retain his Clarence House crown. Nicky Henderson's star returned to Ascot to claim a routine victory in the Ascot Chase recently, and that victory should ensure that Jonbon heads to the Ryanair Chase, instead of a second crack at the Queen Mother.

L'Eau Du Sud slammed Jonbon when they met in the Shloer Chase in November. Dan Skelton's star underperformed when only third in the Tingle Creek, but he's been freshened up for the Cheltenham Festival, and L'Eau Du Sud usually does his best work after a break. The Skeltons could also be represented by the breakout star of the season, Thistle Ask, but his need to go right-handed could see the team swerve both Cheltenham and Aintree and wait for either Sandown or Punchestown.

Quilixios was my 50/1 selection in this race 12 months ago, so I was gutted when he fell at the last when still challenging Marine Nationale. Henry de Bromhead's star is much shorter in the betting this time around, despite not having run since that late tumble here last March.

Found A Fifty is an unlikely runner, and the novice Irish Panther seems more likely to head for the Arkle. Solness seems to be somewhat of a Leopardstown specialist, and Captain Guinness hasn't shown any form in the past two seasons to suggest that a rejuvenated performance is imminent.

Saint Segal and Libberty Hunter kept on well behind Lulamba in the Game Spirit Chase, and both look likely to make the final field. JPR One and Calico could be saved for other assignments. Only By Night runs in the Mares' Chase, and neither Brookie nor Senecia stands much of a chance.

undefined — Harry Skelton riding L'Eau Du Sud clear the last to win The Shloer Chase at Cheltenham Racecourse. (Getty)

2026 Champion Chase Tips

Bet Type	Name	Odds (9.3.2026)
Value Bet 1	L'Eau Du Sud	9.2
Value Bet 2	Saint Segal	50/1

Note: These selections are subject to change. All of my selections will be finalised once the fields have been confirmed.

You'll hear the time gurus rave about Majborough's victory in the Dublin Chase between now and the Cheltenham Festival. He's bound to be popular on the preview circuit. Personally, I thought - and said this prior to the race in my selections - that Majborough was the only horse who really needed to win that day, and his margin of victory was emphasised by how badly his rivals performed.

Willie Mullins' star relished heavy ground at Leopardstown, and testing ground on day two of the Cheltenham Festival would make Majborough hard to beat. However, if the rain does dry up, then I wouldn't be surprised to see Marine Nationale launch an extremely strong challenge, and I might back the defending champion once ground conditions become clear.

I can't see L'EAU DU SUD (9/2) finishing outside of the first three, and for that reason he was my main ante-post bet at 8/1 when this article went live.

Dan Skelton's star has twice demolished his rivals around Cheltenham. First, in the Arkle Trial at the start of last season, and again in the Shloer Chase, where he left Jonbon trailing 15 lengths in his wake.

L'Eau Du Sud couldn't repeat that feat in the Arkle at last year's Cheltenham Festival, where Harry Skelton's mount seemed to have every chance jumping the final flight, but somehow finished a close fourth as Jango Baie rattled home to snatch an unlikely win.

Skelton ran his Grade One winner in the Kingmaker prior to his Festival outing, and regretted that decision when he saw how L'Eau Du Sud finished out his race at Cheltenham. This time, Harry's mount will come into the Champion Chase fresh and has performed well on all kinds of ground. He remains a good value option at 8/1.

Since Marine Nationale, the value has been squeezed out of L'Eau Du Sud's price, and he's no longer an each-way proposition. Another who could get involved at a wild price is SAINT SEGAL (66/1). Jane Williams' charge has been in inspired form this season, winning at Chepstow on his reappearance and again at Kelso in December.

Saint Segal has twice finished a distant second behind Thistle Ask, with both runs coming on good ground around right-handed tracks - the winner's ideal conditions. Ciaran Gething's charge was then no match for Lulamba in the Game Spirit Chase, but kept on right through the line to finish just six lengths adrift of the Arkle favourite.

Williams' eight-year-old hasn't been to Cheltenham since a 12th place finish in the 2022 Fred Winter, but I see no reason why he wouldn't handle this track. Like L'Eau Du Sud, Saint Segal is proven on all kinds of ground, and he's the sort of in-form outsider who could challenge for the places if some of the fancied horses have an off day.

Live Stream

Visit our Champion Chase Live Stream page if you want to watch any race on day two of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival via a mobile or tablet.

Champion Chase 2026 FAQs

When is the 2026 Champion Chase?

The Champion Chase will take place on day two of the Cheltenham Festival on Wednesday 11th March, 2026.

What time does the Champion Hurdle go off?

The Champion Chase is scheduled to start at 4:00pm on March 11th.

Who will win the 2026 Champion Chase?

Majborough and Marine Nationale hold obvious claims, but so does L'Eau Du Sud, and Dan Skelton's course winner is capable of pulling off an upset.

Where can I watch the 2026 Champion Chase?

The Champion Chase will be shown live on ITV Racing. You can also stream the race live on a mobile device. Head to our website for more information.

Verdict

2026 Champion Chase

L'Eau Du Sud boasts plenty of course form and his preparations for the Cheltenham Festival have been perfect. Dan Skelton's star is a genuine challenger to the market leaders.

Saint Segal has improved hand over fist this season, and could hit the frame if the race falls apart. He's worth a second look at 66/1.

L'Eau Du Sud E/W

2026 Champion Chase Value Bet 1

@8/1 - 5 Units

Bet £10 Get £30

in free bets

18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. T&Cs Apply 18+. IRE/NI & UK online only. Max Free Bet £/€10. Win or win part of e/w outright singles. 5+ runners. 1st bet on each race. Free/void/antepost bets don't qualify. In event of a dead heat, offer won’t apply. Applies to First Past the Post result. Unnamed 2nd Favs don’t qualify. Acc & Payment restrictions apply. T&Cs apply.

Bet at BOYLE Sports

Saint Segal E/W

2026 Champion Chase Value Bet 2

@66/1 - 5 Units

Bet £10 Get £30

in free bets

Bet at BOYLE Sports