Energumene (175) successfully defended his Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase title at Cheltenham, delivering a dominant performance to become the first horse since Altior in 2018 and 2019 to win the day two feature race in consecutive years. Despite finishing third in the Clarence House Chase behind Editeur Du Gite (129) and Edwardstone (95), Energumene arrived at the Festival with a point to prove and was backed into 6-5 favourite as the rain poured down.

Jockey Paul Townend changed tactics and rode Energumene forwards, keeping tabs on Editeur Du Gite who was leading the pack. Energumene travelled with great speed and Townend exuded supreme confidence after the fourth jump, while Captain Guinness (159) and Edwardstone were starting to trail behind. Energumene took the lead at the third-last jump and left Editeur Du Gite and Edwardstone behind, leaving Captain Guinness to chase him home in vain.

Energumene won by an impressive 10-length margin, with Captain Guinness finishing in second place. The horse is owned by Tony Bloom, the owner of Brighton & Hove Albion, and with this victory, Willie Mullins has now accumulated a total of 92 Festival winners at Cheltenham.