Sprinter Sacre ready to recapture Queen Mother Champion Chase crown

The drying ground will also be in his favour, and the son of Network can raise the roof by becoming the first since the mighty Moscow Flyer (2003 and 2005) to recapture his crown.

Un De Sceaux the rising star

Willie Mullins’ Un De Sceaux is considered by many to be the rising star in the 2m chasing ranks and is bidding to land back-to-back Festival successes.

Trained in Ireland, the eight year-old French gelding is unbeaten in the 14 races he has completed under rules.

Un De Sceaux has won five of his seven completed starts over fences and was impressive when landing last year’s Arkle Challenge Trophy at this meeting by six lengths.

Jumping and tearaway style remain a concern

However, he blotted his copybook on seasonal reappearance when falling at the second-last at Leopardstown when still in front and travelling well and it was not the first time that his tearaway front running tactics had been his downfall.

Un De Sceaux then got back on track when making all to win the Clarence House Chase at Ascot by five lengths, drawing clear on the run-in to score with plenty in hand from Sire De Grugy.

It was a taking performance, but Un De Sceaux is still far from a safer jumper in my eyes and the form of his win in last year’s Arkle has not worked out well.

Related

Check out more of the Cheltenham Festival tips and previews over on our dedicated section.

Coral’s top tip: Sprinter Sacre has got his swagger back and can topple the much vaunted Un De Sceaux to land a second Queen Mother Champion Chase success.