14 Irish horses set for March 11th showpiece
They’ll be plenty on offer for Irish punters and fans on March 11th at Cheltenham after a monstrous 33 horses were declared for the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
The previous two winners, Sire De Grugy and Sprinter Sacre, are both entered despite hardly featuring in any action for months now.
Gary Moore has admitted that his mount is still trying to find his way back from an injured hip that has seen him out of action since mid November.
Moore told a sponsor’s blog that the stable is working hard to get him right for the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury on February 7: ‘I’ve been asked how hard we are currently working him and I’d say he’d currently be doing a swinging canter up to half speed. We’ve got until February 7 to get him ready and he’ll go there unless the ground is firm and we all know there’s no chance of that.’
Sprinter Sacre is due to return to action on Saturday week after a full year off the track since the Desert Orchid at Kempton in 2013. He’s lined up for the Clarence House Chase at Ascot and is sure to be closely watched by the markets as well as punters to see if he can regain form ahead of Cheltenham.
It’s a record breaking entry list from Ireland with Willie Mullins leading the way with Champagne Fever, Ballycasey, Turban and Twinlight all seeking the trip.
Henry de Bromhead has three runners with 2011 champion Sizing Europe looking to recapture past glories along with stable mates Special Tiara and Moscow Mannon.
However somewhat disappointingly there is no good news on Simonsig who is missing from the field and it looks like now will not feature at all this season.
Nicky Henderson’s mount hasn’t run since the Arkle in 2013 and Henderson will have to pin his hopes on 2012 winner Finian’s Rainbow instead.
H/T Sportinglife
