Cheltenham Festival; Champion Chase and Ryanair Chase entries revealed featuring star names such as Douvan, Un De Sceaux and Cue Card
DOUVAN is the headline act among the 28 entries for the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Willie Mullins' seven-year-old has a perfect eight from eight record over fences to date and has won at the last two Cheltenham Festivals.
He has yet to taste defeat in 12 races for Ireland's champion trainer, who has also entered Champagne Fever, Black Hercules, Vroum Vroum Mag and last year's runner-up Un De Sceaux.
Fox Norton is the leading British-trained contender according to the sponsors and is one of three possibles for man of the moment Colin Tizzard, along with Sizing Granite and Viconte Du Noyer.
Nicky Henderson has entered his star novice Altior, but he is thought more likely to contest the Arkle Trophy at this stage. The Seven Barrows handler has also given L'Ami Serge and Vaniteux the engagement.
Gary Moore has three possibles in former winner Sire De Grugy, Ar Mad and Traffic Fluide.
Dodging Bullets, who was triumphant in 2015, Garde La Victoire and Special Tiara also feature.
Tom George has a couple of chances with Sir Valentino and God's Own, who was fourth to Sprinter Sacre 12 months ago but has the option of the Ryanair Chase.
George said: "God's Own is fine. He has had a winter break and we are just starting away again with him now. I would say it is more than likely that he will go straight to Cheltenham. We haven't made any concrete plans, but that is the way it is looking.
"He has got entries in the Champion Chase and Ryanair Chase, just to give us options really. He proved he stays at Aintree last spring and it makes sense to have both entries.
"Sir Valentino has also had a little break and we will start building him up again. He is improving all the time and it was a great run against Special Tiara giving him 6lb (second in Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton over Christmas).
"There isn't an apparent reason why he has improved so much. We have just given him plenty of time and he has kept stepping up."
Cue Card is the star name among 48 entries for the Ryanair Chase.
The Colin Tizzard-trained chaser claimed the two-mile-five-furlong prize in 2013 and the Dorset handler has suggested his popular veteran could bid to regain his crown.
The 11-year-old looked set for another tilt at the Cheltenham Gold Cup after claiming a third Betfair Chase at Haydock in November, but he proved no match for stable companion and Gold Cup favourite Thistlecrack in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, leaving Tizzard considering the Ryanair as an alternative.
The in-form trainer could also call upon Alary, Fox Norton, Sizing Granite and Viconte Du Noyer.
Un De Sceaux won the Arkle Trophy at Prestbury Park two years ago and was favourite for last season's Queen Mother Champion Chase, but was unable to repel the resurgent Sprinter Sacre.
He made a successful start to his campaign in the Tingle Creek at Sandown last month and while he has received a Champion Chase entry once more, he has the option of stepping up in distance for this Grade One.
Un De Sceaux is just one of seven possible runners for Willie Mullins.
Ireland's perennial champion trainer has also entered dual Gold Cup runner-up Djakadam, Arkle winner and Champion Chase favourite Douvan and versatile mare Vroum Vroum Mag.
Ballycasey, Black Hercules and dual Festival scorer Champagne Fever complete the Closutton team.
Former Mullins inmate Valseur Lido was third behind the brilliant but ill-fated Vautour in last year's renewal and could return for new trainer Henry de Bromhead.
Valseur Lido is part of a strong squad for Gigginstown House Stud, along with the likes of Road To Riches, who was runner-up 12 months ago for Noel Meade, Gordon Elliott's recent Lexus Chase winner Outlander and Sub Lieutenant, also trained by De Bromhead.
Along with the Tizzard team, British hopefuls include Nicky Henderson's Josses Hill and Jonjo O'Neill's pair More Of That and Taquin Du Seuil.
