Cheltenham Festival: Energumene and Edwardstone clash in Champion Chase

Defending champion Energumene will face six rivals in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham on Wednesday.

The nine-year-old gave Willie Mullins the final piece of his Prestbury Park big-race puzzle last year when lighting up a miserable day two of the Festival and is the sole Closutton representative in the second day feature.

Although following up last year's Cheltenham success with impressive victories at both the Punchestown Festival and on his reappearance in the Hilly Way at Cork, he failed to fire when only third in the rearranged Clarence House Chase on Festival Trials Day.

That day it was the reopposing Editeur Du Gite and Alan King’s Edwardstone that fought out a thrilling finish, but Energumene’s jockey Paul Townend now knows exactly what is required to turn the tables.

"The Clarence House Chase was a big indicator for the Champion Chase," he told Ladbrokes.

"I think we very much underperformed on the day and I wasn’t happy from the time he turned at the top of the hill.

"I don’t think Editeur Du Gite will get it his own way in front here and I can see him getting taken on more on the other track at Cheltenham.

"I thought Edwardstone probably came out of the Clarence House Chase with the most credit even though he didn’t win.

"We learnt a lot from that race and we know what Energumene is capable of."

Clarence House winner Editeur Du Gite will attempt to give Gary Moore his second win in the race and is a first Champion Chase ride for Niall Houlihan, while Edwardstone may have lost out by the barest of margins on Trials Day, but still did enough for the bookmakers to make last year’s Arkle hero their race favourite.

Venetia Williams’ Funambule Sivola was eight and a half lengths behind Energumene 12 months