'He should be favourite!' - is Politologue value for another Champion Chase?

Politologue's price for the 2021 Queen Mother Champion Chase ranges from 6-1 to 9-1 following his second win in the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase. But is he value for a second Champion Chase? Three Racing Post experts have their say.

'I would much rather back Chacun Pour Soi'

No. He has done brilliantly to gobble up the scraps left behind by Chacun Pour Soi and Altior at Cheltenham, and again by Altior in the Tingle Creek, but he is always going to be vulnerable against that pair if he ever gets to meet them.

'I wish Altior had run' – Paul Nicholls revels in Politologue's Tingle Creek win

He is a top-class two-mile chaser, but his best chance of back-to-back Champion Chases is Altior and Chacun Pour Soi not showing up.

That said, such a scenario is not beyond the bounds of possibility as we well know. Still, I would much rather back Chacun Pour Soi at 4-1 rather than Politologue at 6-1, even allowing for his rare sightings and fragility.
David Jennings, tipster

Chacun Pour Soi: Champion Chase fancyCredit: Patrick McCann

'He should be favourite'

Politologue seems to be one of those perennially underrated horses and looks tremendous value to win another Champion Chase. He should be favourite.

First and foremost, in a wide-open division he's probably the only market principal whose participation you could rely on. Chacun Pour Soi is incredibly fragile, Altior has run once in more than a year, and Defi Du Seuil has huge questions to answer after his reappearance.

Even if all those horses ran, I'd be in the Politologue camp. He got very little credit for winning the race last season, but he did it well, as he did again at Sandown, and his form since being dropped back to two miles is really strong. He very nearly beat Altior in the Champion Chase in 2019 and has been even better since connections worked out he needed to be ridden prominently over the trip.

The other tweak Paul Nicholls has made to Politologue is keeping him fresh for the big days. He's become a different horse and Nicholls will deliver him in peak condition in March.
Dylan Hill, premium editor

'If Chacun Pour Soi wins well on Sunday then he'll be the one to beat'

Politologue's success is certainly deserved, I just wish it had come on one of the days I'd backed him!

That is two weak Grade 1s he's won now in which he's had a soft lead and fully taken advantage, and I'd be surprised if he was as fortunate again in March.

Tingle Creek replay

Of the Tingle Creek field, I'd be more interested in taking the 20-1 on Rouge Vif for the Champion Chase than single-figure odds about the winner.

He's three years younger, needs better ground and Cheltenham should suit more. However, if Chacun Pour Soi wins well on Sunday then he'll be the one to beat.
James Hill, tipster

Read more:

It's fifth time lucky for Politologue as a bullish Nicholls is champion again

Politologue: Hales hails 'immaculate' grey as the best jumper he’s owned

'I'm lucky to still be alive' – why Politologue's Champion Chase win means so much to his owner

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