Twist Magic heads a powerful four-strong entry for champion trainer Paul Nicholls in what promises to be an outstanding renewal of the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham on Wednesday, March 12.
The six-year-old most recently beat last year’s Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Voy Por Ustedes in the paddypower.com Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown and could be joined in the £310,000 event by stablemates Andreas, winner of last season’s Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup, French import Master Minded, a facile handicap winner at Sandown on Saturday, and Hoo La Baloo.
My Way De Solzen and Fair Along, who were first and second in The Irish Independent Arkle
Chase last season, as well as Kevin Bishop’s stable star Ashley Brook are also entered. A five-strong entry from Ireland includes the 2006 winner Newmill as well as Mansony, Nickname and Schindlers Hunt who filled the first three places in the Grade One Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown on December 27.
A number of rapidly-improving chasers have been given entries including the Ferdy Murphy-trained Another Promise, winner of the Grade One Swordlestown Cup Novice Chase at Punchestown in April, Jack The Giant, who scored easily at Leicester on Tuesday, Boylesports.com Gold Cup winner Tamarinbleu and the Jonjo O’Neill-trained Don’t Push It, who made a winning return over hurdles at Chepstow in October.