Chris Hughes, Nick Luck and Bryan Cooper deliver their verdicts
Richie McLernon and Ryan McCue also share their views
Is Altior still the best two-mile chaser around?
Bryan Cooper, jockey I was surprised to see that the Champion is his only chase entry for Cheltenham. He’s been a fantastic horse but I was disappointed with him at Ascot last time when he was quite laboured. If he comes back to his best then he’d take all the beating, but it could be that another try over two and a half miles might be the way to go.
Chris Hughes, Racing broadcaster I’ll sit on the fence. If I was backing anything for the Champion Chase now it would be Defi Du Seuil. That’s not saying Altior isn’t still the best, but judgement day on that will be Cheltenham in March.
Nick Luck, RTV presenter He’ll now end up having a perfect preparation for Cheltenham as they know which race he’s going for and which race he’ll be prepped in. He deserves to be divisional leader but it’s inconceivable that he’s better this year than he was last or the year before that. To my mind, improvers like Defi Du Seuil will give him plenty to think about.
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