Newmill heads 12-strong Irish entry for Champion Chase
John Joseph Murphy’s charge ran out a nine-length winner of the two-mile feature last year before following up at the Punchestown Festival a month later.
He is bidding to become the ninth horse to secure back-to-back victories in the Grade One contest and the first since the David Nicholson-trained Viking Flagship triumphed in both 1994 and 1995.
As well as Newmill, the record 12-strong Irish contingent is supplemented by Nickname, Central House, Justified and Gold Cup entry In Compliance.
Paul Nolan has Grade One-winning novice Accordion Etoile, 2004 Galway Hurdle winner Cloone River and Say Again in the shake-up.
Voy Por Ustedes is back cantering as Alan King cranks up preparations for the Queen Mother on March 14.
Last year’s Arkle winner, who has enjoyed a well-earned break following his exhilarating display in the Desert Orchid Chase over Christmas.
The Queen Mother will be sponsored this year for the first time, and King is looking for a first win in the race having been assistant to David Nicholson when Viking Flagship scored in 1995.
King said: “I am very excited to have the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase favourite.
“The horse is in very good form but hasn’t done much since Kempton and has had a quiet week.
“He purposely hasn’t done much as he doesn’t take much work and you can bring him to the boil quickly.
“We will start building him back up now though. He cantered on Monday and will start doing more work in about 10 days time.
“He will have one more run in the Game Spirit and then we will go to Cheltenham.
“The Queen Mother is a race I have been closely involved with during my time with the Duke (Nicholson) and there is nothing more exciting that watching two-mile chasers.”
Voy Por Ustedes has only been beaten twice over fences when finishing runner-up to Foreman and Kauto Star.
He is currently 5-2 favourite with William Hill for the Queen Mother, with Newmill a 4-1 chance.
King added: “Newmill has been there and done it so has to be a danger but I just hope the ground dries up as the more it does the more it will suit me.
“The horse goes on soft ground but is much better in good ground.”
Totesport Cheltenham Gold favourite Kauto Star has been given an entry by trainer Paul Nicholls but connections stated the Champion Chase will only be an option if conditions are testing.
Monet’s Garden and Foreman chased Voy Por Ustedes home in the Arkle last March and have been entered – although the former has a choice of engagements.
David Pipe’s Well Chief, winner of the Arkle in 2004 and second to Moscow Flyer in the Queen Mother 12 months later, may line up again despite being off the track for nearly two years.
Former Arkle winner Contraband could take his chance for new handler Steve Gollings, while Sporazene, Briareus and Ashley Brook are also possibles.
Seasons Holidays were confirmed as the first sponsors of the Champion Chase in a deal that sees the prize money for the event rise by £20,000 to £310,000, making it the third most valuable chase of the season.
