Cheltenham News

Put The Kettle On delivers Champion Chase

Put The Kettle On upset the oddsmakers to claim the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival on Wednesday.

Chacun Pour Soi went off as the favourite but faded after the final fence as Henry de Bromhead’s charge came on strong.

The seven-year-old mare, who won last year’s Arkle Chase, showed plenty of grit and determination to kick on for a fourth course and distance win.

Wednesday’s triumph sealed a big double for De Bromhead after Honeysuckle won the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday.

Harry Skelton pushed on with Nubre Negra in the final yards but fell just half-a-length short, while, Willie Mullins’ Chacun Pour Soi was a length further back and had to settle for third.

Jockey Aidan Coleman said: “She loves Cheltenham and the old course – she is four from four and I’m four from four on her. You can’t ask for any more. It’s not only her ability but her sheer will to win and attitude – she fought off Chacun Pour Soi and then you had Nube Negra come up who she wouldn’t let pass. Her tenacity and attitude is just something to behold. I’m privileged to be associated with her.

“She doesn’t give you anything easy, but when you get her on side you couldn’t have a more willing partner. I don’t think I’m the key – if you put someone else on her she’d will anyway, but I’ll be staying on her!

“I don’t know why she likes Cheltenham so much but it is just better than anywhere else for her. If there’s a place to have form around the track this is the place.”