Nube Negra can put favourite in the shade

NUBE NEGRA can cause a minor surprise in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Backing against Chacun Pour Soi may prove folly, of course, but as yet the big-race favourite still needs to prove his appetite for the Cheltenham hill.

While Willie Mullins’ hotpot has been beaten just once in Ireland since his move from France in 2016, in all that time we have only seen him in action seven times.

Nevertheless, as a nineyear-old, he should be at his peak now – although there is obviously a fragility about him, which reared its head 12 months ago when he was ruled out on the morning of the race.

What gives hope for those taking him on is the fact he was outstayed by A Plus Tard in December 2019, his sole defeat for Mullins, and if he is off the bridle before the last his supporters may know their fate.

Nube Negra is the unknown quantity really. If he is as good as he looked when beating Altior at Kempton, then his odds are very big indeed – and while the general consensus seemed to be that Altior was not fit, that theory does not hold water.

The opening Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle looks at the mercy of Henry de Bromhead’s BOB

OLINGER.

A 10-length bumper winner this time last year, he was already in plenty of notebooks and then went into just about every other one following his hurdling

Henry Slade is a doubt for the climax to England’s Guinness Six Nations campaign against Ireland on Saturday because of a lower leg problem.

Slade sustained the unspecified injury in training on Monday and a decision on his availability for the round-five clash at the Aviva Stadium is awaited.

The strides taken by England in attack during the last two games have brought out the best in the Exeter Chiefs man, who has forged an improving centre partnership with Owen Farrell.

England have called Harlequins back Joe Marchant into camp as cover for Slade, but if he fails to recover in time then Ollie Lawrence or Paolo Odogwu are most likely to benefit by filling the vacancy in midfield.

“The way Henry works off the ball is second to none. The way he puts himself in a position to attack and defend is brilliant,” said England skills coach Ed Robinson.

“The way he sprints to chase kicks is phenomenal and that is a massive part of his game. He’s a big driver in that for us.

“Joe is a fantastic player because of the way he works on and off the ball. His skill set on the ball and the way he supports are both excellent.”