Cheltenham Queen Mother Champion Chase Odds
One of the most popular races at the Cheltenham Festival each year is the Queen Mother Champion Chase, and Sizing Europe has been laid as the early favorite, although many eyes will be on second favourite, Big Zeb.
This Queen Mother Champion Chase is scheduled for Wednesday, March 14th on Ladies Day and Sizing Europe is listed as evens to win his third title in the race.
There were concerns about Sizing Europe's chances after jockey, Andrew Lynch sustained an arm injury on Saturday, but the Irish rider said that he expected to be fully fit to partner the horse by the Champion Chase.
"It's such an important time of the year and you can't take any risks," said Lynch. "Hopefully, we'll be fine for Cheltenham."
Sizing Europe is the favourite to win the Queen Mother Champion Chase at leading UK bookmaker, William Hill.
Big Zeb to Challenge Sizing Europe
Big Zeb, with odds of 9/2, is said to be in fine shape ahead of the race next Wednesday. The 11-year-old's trainer Colm Murphy and owner, Pat Redmond, are keen to see Big Zeb regain the title he won in 2010 in the two mile race.
Big Zeb settled for second place behind Sizing Europe in last year's race, and his backers don't want to see a repeat this time around.
Sizing Europe beat Big Zeb in the Tied Cottage Chase in Punchtown last month, but Murphy expects Big Zeb to come back fighting during the Champion Chase.
"Everything is good at the moment," said his owner. "I spoke to Colm on Wednesday and he was happy enough with him. We didn't want him to have a hard race on the ground last time and he'll be a much better horse on the day."
Racing analysts are still prone to give Sizing Europe the benefit of the doubt and have no qualms about pushing him to the top of the favorites list, however. The horse hasn't been out of the top three in any race for the past three years, and punters are following the analysts' advice and backing Sizing Europe.
Bet on the Queen Mother Champion Chase now at William Hill:
Queen Mother Champion Chase Odds
Sizing Europe EVS
Big Zeb 9/2
Finians Rainbow 9/2
Somersby 8/1
Kauto Stone 16/1
Wishfull Thinking 16/1
Blazing Tempo 20/1
Realt Dubh 20/1
Gauvain 25/1
I'm So Lucky 66/1
