Top Gamble team take plunge to tackle Douvan

The domineering presence of Douvan in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase has not dissuaded connections of Top Gamble from spending £17,500 to supplement for the festival's day-two spectacular.

Although respectful of the opposition, which totalled 14 following Thursday's six-day entry stage, trainer Kerry Lee thought it was "worth a shot" having been buoyed by the three-time Grade 2 winner's homework since finishing third in the rescheduled Clarence House Chase at Cheltenham in January.

"I was very happy with Top Gamble on festival trials day," Lee said on Thursday. "His work since has been great and that's encouraged us to supplement.

"You obviously have to be very respectful of the opposition, in particular a horse like Douvan, but we think we have a fighting chance of playing a part in the race."

Top Gamble, owned by Dai Walters and James and Jean Potter, would need to finish at least fourth to recoup the supplementary fee and Lee is hoping for soft conditions.

"We are always hoping for a bit more rain but it never seems to fall for the festival," she added. "The ground will be on the easy side and that should suit him."

Douvan, many people's idea of the meeting's banker, heads the betting at a best-priced 1-3 and, although unlikely, a match-up with Racing Post Arkle favourite Altior is still possible as he was left in by Nicky Henderson along with Fox Norton, God's Own and Vroum Vroum Mag. Altior is likely to run in the Champion Chase only if Douvan suffers a mishap.

Which race Neon Wolf will contest is one of the questions ante-post punters are dying to know the answer to and Harry Fry's crack novice hurdler was left in the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle along with 39 others.

However, Ballyandy's festival target was determined, with Nigel Twiston-Davies's runner now heading to the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle having been removed from the Neptune.

For the RSA Novices' Chase, 26 entries remain, including Henderson-trained trio Might Bite, O O Seven and Whisper.

Cheltenham Wednesday entries