led 2nd to 3 out, stayed chasing leader until 2 out, rallied and staying on about 1 length 3rd when fell last
tracked leaders, led 2 out, ridden and headed last, kept on under pressure run-in
chased leaders, hit 9th, blundered and weakened 4 out, mistake next
held up in rear, hampered 2nd, always behind
raced freely, led to 2nd, tracked leader, hit 3rd, mistake and lost 2nd 3 out, left 3rd at last until weakened run-in
took keen hold, held up in touch, staying on and 3 lengths 5th when fell 2 out
held up in 7th, hit 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, went 3rd run-in
always behind, hit 7th, tailed off when blundered 3 out
in touch, headway 8th, tracked leading pair approaching 3 out, challenged and mistake 2 out, led last, driven out
held up in 5th until fell 2nd
Well Chief had Ashley Brook and Voy Por Ustedes behind him when destroying a decent field in the Game Spirit at Newbury on his comeback and he is taken to confirm those placings once again, although last year's winner Newmill and fellow Irish raider Nickname will prove two very tough nuts to crack. David Pipe's eight-year-old sauntered to victory last month and made light of the fact that he was returning from a break of 638 days. He is likely to be held up in touch today and his high cruising speed should be shown to good effect in a race where Ashley Brook and Newmill are likely to take the field along at a good clip. If he is back to anywhere near his best form when crossing swords with Azertyuiop and Moscow Flyer a couple of years ago (form that is head and shoulders above his opposition today) he could feasibly be the good thing that his skinny odds suggest he is. Last year's race won by Newmill was rated as one of the weakest renewals for some time and although Newmill was impressive when winning over hurdles at Gowran (beat Macs Joy and a disappointing Harchibald), he could be playing for place money today. He would prefer the ground to dry up considerably and also has Ashley Brook to worry about at the head of affairs. The last-named had the run of the race when behind Well Chief in the Game Spirit but his ability to handle any ground could make him harder to pass today. Young pretender Voy Por Ustedes hasn't done a lot wrong in his short chasing career and he fell too early on in the Game Spirit to say how he would have fared against Well Chief. Last-year's Arkle winner, he is proven around the course and with ground to suit today, he looks sure to put up a big challenge. Nickname's participation has hinged on the ground having plenty of give in and Martin Brassil's eight-year-old is a live danger, especially with the services of Ruby Walsh aboard today. This is certainly a step up on previous races though and a place may be the best that he can hope for. Dempsey is still a talented performer when putting it all in, however he is hit and miss and cannot be put forward with any confidence on ground that may be a little too testing. Before Well Chief's heroic return this renewal of the Queen Mother Champion Chase looked wide open; now it could feasibly be the year in which Well Chief can finally be crowned the champion.
Ashley Brook (IRE) 9-4fav (11-0) Led, headed and tight of room 3 out, soon ridden, no chance with winner from next, 2nd of 8, 11l behind Well Chief (11-0) at Newbury 2m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb.
Dempsey (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Jumped well, made all, ran on strongly from 2 out, comfortably, won at Sandown 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Feb beating Hasty Prince (10-7) by 5l, 12 ran.
Justified (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Close up, disputed lead from 4th, led 4 out, jumped left 3 out, headed next, soon outpaced, 2nd of 4, 15l behind Nickname (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan.
Mister McGoldrick 7-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, weakened last, 4th of 8, 23l behind Afsoun (11-8) at Haydock 2m hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan.
Newmill (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Made all, strongly pressed and narrow lead 2 out, ridden clear approaching last, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Gowran Park 2m hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Feb beating Macs Joy (11-11) by 8l, 5 ran.
Oneway (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, ridden after 4 out, weakened next, 10th of 12, well behind Dempsey (11-10) at Sandown 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Feb.
River City (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Held up, took closer order after 7th, close 4th when hit 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 11l behind Monet's Garden (11-7) at Ascot 2m 3f chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Feb.
Sybellius D'artaix (FR) (10-12) Prominent, stayed on strongly from last, 2nd of 18, 6l behind Azdine (10-6) at Enghien 2m 2f NH flat in Nov.
Voy Por Ustedes (FR) 5-1 (11-10) Chased leader until blundered badly on landing and unseated rider at the 5th in race won by Well Chief (11-0) at Newbury 2m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb, 8 ran.
Well Chief (GER) 5-2 (11-0) Held up behind leaders, steady progress to join leader 4 out, led next, soon clear, easily, won at Newbury 2m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb beating Ashley Brook (11-0) by 11l, 8 ran.
Marble Garden (USA) (11-0) Prominent, led briefly 3 out, soon beaten, 6th of 16, 17l behind Exit Sud (11-0) at Enghien 2m 1f ch in Dec.
Nickname (FR) 1-4fav (11-12) Settled in 4th, smooth headway to 2nd before straight, led before last, eased clear run-in, won at Naas 2m chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Feb beating Gemini Lucy (11-2) by 12l, 5 ran.
