Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham

As we predicted, it was a good day for the fancied horses yesterday and the "good things" all won. The weather is slightly better today, the course has passed an early morning inspection and the going is good to soft. The cross country race, abandoned yesterday, will now be run tomorrow (conditions permitting). Main feature today is the Champion Chase over 2 miles at 16.20 CET and all eyes will be on the hugely talented Sprinter Sacre (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty), who is expected to start as the hottest favourite since Arkle´s third Gold Cup in 1966. He has won 11 of his 13 starts, including the Arkle over this CD at the last Festival and really does look unbeatable under normal circumstances.

The obvious one for the forecast is Sizing Europe (Henry de Bromhead/ Andrew Lynch), winner of the Arkle in 2010, this race in 2011 and an unlucky second here last year, since when he is unbeaten. He was won 18 of his 35 starts, and been placed ten times as well, and never seems to runa bad race; he is as good as ever at the age of 11 and could possibly give the favourite a race- nothing that any of his U.K.-based rivals have been able to do.

Third place could possibly go to Mail de Bievre (Tom George/ Paddy Brennan), who is being brought back in distance and will probably make the running at a strong pace. This could well burn off the no-hopers but will set things up for the favourites and defeat for Sprinter Sacre (who is by the German-bred stallion Network) would be the one of the biggest upsets ever at the Festival. This is not a race to bet on, but certainly one to watch and savour.