Weekend results at Sandown and Cork caused a significant change in the 2026 BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase odds , and we’re taking a fresh look at the leading contenders.
The Cheltenham Festival Wednesday feature is usually run at a frenetic pace over two miles and 13 fences, with star names such as Badsworth Boy , Moscow Flyer , Sprinter Sacre and Altior on the roll of honour.
When is the 2026 Cheltenham Festival?
National Hunt racing’s showpiece event takes place from March 10-13 inclusive, and the Champion Chase is the main race on day two.
Champion Chase Odds
Champion Chase Odds 2026
Horse | Odds | Chance |
|---|---|---|
Il Etait Temps | 11/4 | 26.7% |
Marine Nationale | 7/2 | 22.2% |
Majborough | 11/2 | 15.4% |
Sir Gino | 8/1 | 11.1% |
L'Eau Du Sud | 16/1 | 5.9% |
Found A Fifty | 16/1 | 5.9% |
Fact To File | 20/1 | 4.8% |
Quillixios | 25/1 | 3.8% |
Jonbon | 25/1 | 3.8% |
Only By Night | 25/1 | 3.8% |
Impaire Et Passe | 33/1 | 2.9% |
Gaelic Warrior | 33/1 | 2.9% |
Energumene | 40/1 | 2.4% |
Kalif Du Berlais | 40/1 | 2.4% |
Il Est Francais | 40/1 | 2.4% |
Banbridge | 40/1 | 2.4% |
2026 Champion Chase Prediction
Cheltenham Champion Chase Favourites
Il Etait Temps
Il Etait Temps@ 11/4
The Willie Mullin s-trained flying grey secured an impressive success against Jonbon in April’s Celebration Chase after a lengthy lay-off and returned to Sandown to brush aside the same rival in the Tingle Creek.
Il Etait Temps has now won seven of his nine races over fences and can boast six Grade One victories overall, with jockey Paul Townend stating he has “grown up”, before adding: “He jumps, he stays, he travels…I think he has to be classed as a major player in this division.”
Part-owner Wayne Kieswetter is the father of former England cricketer Craig, and he was quick to lay down the ultimate target.
“Winning at the Cheltenham Festival would be like winning the world championships, wouldn’t it,” he said. “It would be like when Craig won the World Cup in 2010, and it would be a dream for us.”
Marine Nationale
Marine Nationale@ 7/2
Barry Connell’s defending champion Marine Nationale was left to come home 18 lengths clear of Jonbon in last season’s renewal after Quilixios fell at the final fence and followed up with a comfortable Punchestown triumph.
His stylish 2023 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle success under Michael O’Sullivan was another superb Cheltenham Festival performance, with Il Etait Temps back in fifth on that occasion.
Majborough
Majborough @ 11/2
The JP McManus -owned youngster Majborough powered up the Cheltenham hill to win the 2024 Triumph Hurdle and was twice a Grade One scorer at Fairyhouse and Punchestown as a novice chaser last term.
His jumping let him down when beaten at odds-on in the Arkle at Prestbury Park and again when second to Found A Fifty in Cork’s Hilly Way Chase on Sunday, but the engine is still there.
Mullins commented, “He just seems to have lost his confidence, and I don’t know if more schooling can fix it, or maybe he can go up in trip, but I think we’ll stay where we are for the time being. I think fitness will be a big help, but definitely there are question marks there over his jumping.”
Sir Gino
Sir Gino @ 6/1
Nicky Henderson’ s classy gelding Sir Gino was a dual Grade One victor over hurdles and breezed away from Ballyburn on his debut over bigger obstacles at Kempton before his campaign was cut short by injury.
The unbeaten French import has all the ability in the world, but will he switch back to hurdles due to Constitution Hill’s issues?
L'Eau Du Sud
L’Eau Du Sud @ 16/1
L'Eau Du Sud rattled off four straight novice chase wins last season before running well for a long way in the Arkle and smashed Jonbon by 15 lengths on his seasonal reappearance at Cheltenham , but there were no apparent excuses for a distant third in the Tingle Creek.
Jonbon
Jonbon @ 25/1
Henderson’s 10-time Grade One hero Jonbon remains one of the most popular horses in training and has never been out of the first two in 25 races under rules, but the Seven Barrows handler fears “he might have had his speed blunted by age”.
Bet on Cheltenham 2026 Odds at BOYLE Sports
*Prices are subject to fluctuation
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