2J04KD1 Paul Townend celebrates winning the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase on Energumene during day two of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse. Picture date: Wednesday March 16, 2022.
The 2022 renewal of The Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival was a dramatic one, but it went the way of the Willie Mullins-trained Energumene, who was ridden by Paul Townend for owner Tony Bloom.
The eight-year-old by Denham Red hit the line eight and a half lengths ahead of his nearest rival, Funambule Sivola.
“When you’re on a very good horse, it’s easy to make it look easy,” said Paul after the race. “He deserves to win this – he was enjoying himself jumping and I just held on to him.”
The weather has played a large part in some of the races at Cheltenham today, with the rain continuing to pour all afternoon, which has a significant impact on ground conditions.
“Energumene won on very heavy ground in Ireland so that wasn’t worrying us,” Paul said.
Remarkably, this was a first Queen Mother Champion Chase victory for multiple Irish champion trainer, Willie Mullins.
“I’m delighted and it was fantastic to watch,” said Willie. “He was travelling so sweetly all the time, Paul played the safe game and kept him wide and gave him a perfect ride. ”
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Owner Tony, a huge Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club fan, hence Energumene running in his blue colours, said: “I believed he could win this and the rain really helped us – we were actually praying for rain. He’s an amazing horse and we’re having a great time.”
The favourite, Shishkin, was pulled up at the halfway point; the horse, who is trained by Nicky Henderson and ridden by Nico de Boinville, never seemed to get into the race.
“He didn’t like the ground and could hardly get out of it to the first fence,” said Nicky after the race. “There was no point him carrying on.”
Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoythe magazine deliveredto your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access ouronline servicethat brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Former web features editor, point-to-point editor and digital racing editor
Gemma is an experienced journalist, who was a member of H&H staff from 2014 to September 2025. She is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at Epsom in August 2018. Gemma’s has reported from numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.
