2026 BetVictor Champion Chase Tips - Who will inherit Envoi Allen's crown at Down Royal?
Banbridge is the selection for the 2026 BetVictor Champion Chase at Down Royal, a Grade One race run in honour of Envoi Allen. Banbridge’s proven record on good ground, his preference for right-handed tracks, and a recent Flat win at Gowran Park support his claims. Despite a competitive field, his Grade One experience and recent fitness give him an edge. The ground conditions are expected to suit, making Banbridge a strong contender for this three-mile contest.
- Banbridge is tipped for the 2026 BetVictor Champion Chase
- He has strong right-handed form and won recently on the Flat at Gowran Park
- The race is open, but Banbridge is suited by ground conditions
The first Grade One race of the new National Hunt season takes place on Saturday, as the BetVictor Champion Chase headlines the card at Down Royal. This three-mile chase has been renamed this year to honour three-time winner Envoi Allen, who suffered a fatal injury during his farewell run in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham in March.
Here's our free guide to the 2026 BetVictor Champion Chase, including our best betting tips.
2026 BetVictor Champion Chase Odds
| Name | Odds |
|---|---|
| Heart Wood | 3/1 |
| Romeo Coolio | 7/2 |
| Affordale Fury | 5/1 |
| Banbridge | 11/2 |
| Haiti Couleurs | 11/2 |
| Fleur In The Park | 13/2 |
| Croke Park | 66/1 |
2026 BetVictor Champion Chase Runners
In the absence of the sadly departed Envoi Allen, Henry de Bromhead will rely on Ryanair winner Heart Wood in Saturday's highlight. Gordon Elliott runs Romeo Coolio, who has claimed two emphatic wins at this meeting but struggled on his only previous start over three miles at the Cheltenham Festival.
Savills Chase winner Affordale Fury will be looking to build on a runner-up finish in this race 12 months ago. Former King George winner Banbridge makes his Down Royal debut on the back of a reappearance victory on the Flat at Gowran Park.
Paul Townend rides Rebecca Curtis' Irish and Welsh Grand National winner Haiti Couleurs. Andrew Slattery is represented by Grade One-winning gelding Fleur In The Park. Gordon Elliott's second string, Croke Park, is the rank outsider of the seven runners.
2026 BetVictor Champion Chase Tips
There's an incredibly open feel to this Grade One. You could make a decent case for any of the first six in the betting. Given that the ground remains on the good side of yielding, I've come down on the side of BANBRIDGE (11/2), who is always at his most comfortable on decent ground.
An impressive winner of the King George VI Chase in 2024, Banbridge came within a whisker of defending his crown at Kempton last December. Sean Bowen's mount stormed home from well off the pace, crossing the line just a nose behind The Jukebox Man and a neck ahead of Gaelic Warrior.
Joseph O'Brien's stalwart struggled behind Heart Wood in the Ryanair and made a plethora of jumping errors in the Grand National, falling when loose with just over a circuit to go. Thankfully, there were no ill effects from that spill when Banbridge lined up in a Flat maiden at Gowran Park last month, and O'Brien's ten-year-old ran on strongly to beat several fellow National Hunt operators by two lengths.
Banbridge has the benefit of a run under his belt, and his record going right-handed is excellent. JJ Slevin's mount has ground conditions to suit too. 11/2 looks like a good price for this proven Grade One winner.
Live Stream
Visit our BetVictor Champion Chase Live Stream page if you want to watch any of Saturday's races at Down Royal via a mobile device.
Verdict
Banbridge is our selection in the 2026 BetVictor Champion Chase.
Banbridge
2026 BetVictor Champion Chase
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