Tizzard hopes favourite is not a machine as Fox Norton goes for glory

If Douvan is to be beaten in the Champion Chase – and that is rather a big if – bookmakers believe the horse most likely to cause a shock is Fox Norton. Encouragingly, trainer Colin Tizzard is not dismissing the possibility out of hand.

Having been 11 lengths adrift of the mighty Irish star in last season's Racing Post Arkle, before finishing nearly three times that margin adrift at Aintree, it is clear Fox Norton has a mountain to climb.

That said, he has clearly progressed this season. Ann and Alan Potts acquired him after his course and distance win in October, moving him to join Tizzard, who was in charge for another impressive Cheltenham success in November, after which he re-emerged following a setback to take a distant second behind Altior at Newbury.

"We don't like to make excuses but he pulled some muscles in his back at Newbury and wasn't right after the race," said Tizzard.

"We had been umming and ahhing about taking on Douvan but in the end decided a fast-run two miles would suit him best.

"Horses aren't machines and if Douvan has a bit of an off day and our horse runs to his very best form we might just have half a chance."

Also representing the Potts camp is Fox Norton's rank outsider stablemate Sizing Granite.

Tizzard said: "Sizing Granite made a noise the first time we ran him, so we gave him a wind operation, after which he ran alright over hurdles.

"He's now in the best form we've had him. I've not been thinking about running him as a pacemaker. We might let him go on, but Fox Norton will be up there anyway."

Fox Norton

Pros Clearly effective at Cheltenham and has a largely progressive profile

Cons Twice thumped by Douvan last spring and hard to see why he should reverse form

Champion Chase card and betting