'I hope we're in the mix now' - Edwardstone enters Champion Chase picture after returning to winning ways in Game Spirit

Alan King is not one to back down from a challenge and the trainer is up for a tilt at next month's Queen Mother Champion Chase after Edwardstone got his career back on track in the Game Spirit.

The Grade 2, which was sponsored by Betfair, is the last recognised British trial for the Betway-backed Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, for which El Fabiolo is the 2-5 favourite.

Jonbon is next best at a general 100-30, but Edwardstone was trimmed to 10-1 third-favourite (from 16-1) by Betfair, while Paddy Power went 8-1 (from 14).

Owned by Robert Abrey and Ian Thurtle, Edwardstone, who made all under a bold Tom Cannon ride, has been something of an unheralded two-mile chase star, but won the Arkle in 2022 before capturing that year's Tingle Creek.

King, who trains at Barbury Castle in Wiltshire and had already been on the mark with Emitom on Newbury's card, had seen his leading jumps horse not truly fire since that Tingle Creek.

"I thought at Kempton last time over two and half miles we disappointed him, bringing him back," he said. "He was racing within himself there and I think Tom was quite happy. I got a lot of satisfaction out of that."

One to wear his heart on his sleeve, King added: "I think this is the best a few of mine have been all season. I was away on holiday a few weeks ago and they hadn't been running terribly well. I thought, 'What the hell is wrong?' I went back to the old routine of three times up the hill and we've drilled these horses the last few weeks and I think the results speak for themselves.

"I think we'll be taking those horses on in the Champion Chase and we certainly won't be going for the Ryanair. I've huge respect for Jonbon, who has beaten us twice this term, and El Fabiolo looked awfully good at Leopardstown last week, but I hope we're in the mix now."

Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (3.30 Cheltenham, March 13)

Paddy Power: 2-5 El Fabiolo, 100-30 Jonbon, 8 Edwardstone, 14 Captain Guinness, Ferny Hollow, 20 Boothill, Elixir De Nutz, 25 bar

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