QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE 3.30: GRADE ONE — 2 MILES

RAReLy can this race have seen so much drama before the tapes have even been released with hot ante-post favourite Altior undergoing an 11th-hour scare and Douvan making the field against all the odds.

the former has also suffered with a wind issue this season and in recent history there have been 106 horses which have undergone a similar campaign to him and only one has won — Riverside theatre, trained by Nicky henderson.

Any breathing issues could well be exploited by the gruelling conditions and, at his price, he is reluctantly overlooked in preference of MIN. the latter’s fitness is seemingly assured and he has looked a smart chaser in waiting this winter, not least at Leopardstown last time when he was imperious.

the joker in the pack is undoubtedly Douvan, who was an enormous disappointment in this event last year when sustaining an injury. the fact that Ruby Walsh has remained loyal to him above Min could be construed as a tip in its own right and, although he has undoubtedly been tricky to train, if the fire still burns he remains a huge threat.