DOUBLE HANDFUL

IF you’re not excited about today’s Tingle Creek then horseracing probably isn’t the sport for you. Okay, only four horses have been declared for the famous race, won by the likes of Kauto Star, Master Minded, Sprinter Sacre and Sire De Grugy. But what a fantastic four! Altior, Sceau Royal, Un De Sceaux and Saint Calvado have 16 Grade 1 wins between them.

This race is all about quality over quantity and when it comes to quality you have to say is streets ahead of the opposition.

I fully expected to see Nicky Henderson’s superstar at prohibitive odds and was pleasantly surprised to see him only a shade under evens.

Last weekend, I was similarly shocked when Buveur D’air opened up odds against in the Fighting Fifth. In fact, he didn’t even go off favourite.

But Altior is on a whole different level. He’s probably the best horse over obstacles in the world right now.

ALTIOR

The eight-year old’s last loss came in April – that’s April 2015.

Since then he’s won 14 on the trot, six at Grade 1 level, including three Cheltenham Festival wins, Supreme Novices (2016), Arkle Chase (2017) and last year’s Champion Chase.

On official ratings he’s at least 7lb better than his nearest rival, so why oh why isn’t he shorter in the betting?

The only fathomable reason is the rain, which should enhance the chances of 2016 winner Un De Sceaux and Saint Calvados.

Sceau Royal, winner of the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham last month, has landed five of his six races. Alan King’s six-year-old looks the main threat to Altior and will be the name I’m jotting down for the forecast.

Un De Sceaux has enjoyed a stellar career with nine Grade 1 wins over fences. However, it’s fair to say his best years are behind him at the age of 10.

He’s the last horse I’d back out of today’s quartet. Hopefully those words won’t come back to haunt me.