Cheltenham Festival: Champion Chase guide

Irish eyes will most definitely not be smiling on Wednesday if Douvan fails to add Betway Champion Chase glory to his Arkle win from 12 months ago.

Willie Mullins' seven-year-old is one of the undoubted stars of the National Hunt game and goes into the two-mile championship contest as one of the shortest priced favourites in recent Cheltenham Festival history.

Check out our A-Z guide to the runners and riders...

DOUVAN – Form: 1-1111

Jockey: Ruby Walsh

Trainer: Willie Mullins

He’s 1/4 favourite for a reason, or to be more accurate 14 reasons. Unbeaten since a defeat on debut three years ago, Douvan is probably the most exciting horse in training and appears to be an absolute certainty if he jumps round safely. Hasn't been odds against in a race since the 2015 Supreme, which of course he won, and might not be for some time if he wins as easily as expected. Rating: 10/10

FOX NORTON – Form: 31-112

Jockey: Aidan Coleman

Trainer: Colin Tizzard

Powered clear of Simply Ned to win the Shloer Chase in November over course and distance, but he suffered a nasty cut on his off-fore in that victory and was no match for exciting novice Altior on his belated return in February. Clearly the biggest threat to Douvan on his very best form but was well beaten by him in the Arkle and Maghull chases last season. Rating: 6/10

GARDE LA VICTOIRE – Form: F-1231

Jockey: Richard Johnson

Trainer: Philip Hobbs

Has some very solid hurdling and chasing form, but has never convinced he is a true Grade 1 performer and would probably need some carnage to contend for victory here. Most of his best form has also come on softer surfaces than he is set to encounter on Wednesday. Rating: 3/10

GOD’S OWN – Form: 1-1233

Jockey: Adrian Heskin

Trainer: Tom George

Second in the 2015 Arkle and fourth in this race last year, both runs in conditions similar to those expected for the Champion Chase. Stunned Douvan’s late lamented stable companion Vautour at Punchestown 11 months ago and ran a fine race in the Tingle Creek, where he got going too late. Definite place chances and should benefit from being able to sit off the likely strong pace. Rating: 8/10

SIMPLY NED – Form: 3P-223

Jockey: Brian Harding

Trainer: Nicky Richards

Well beaten by Douvan and Fox Norton in his last two outings and has regularly come up short on his attempts in Grade 1 company. Without a win since October 2015 and that run would seem unlikely to end in this contest. Rating: 2/10

SIR VALENTINO – Form: 148152

Jockey: Paddy Brennan

Trainer: Tom George

Produced a career-best in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter last October, when he stayed on strongly to edge out Garde La Victoire, but has been beaten (only narrowly) by a few of these rivals since that victory and he would appear to be playing for minor place unless some of the chief protagonists fail to shine. One of the runners likely to benefit from a strong pace if he can stay in touch early. Rating: 7/10

SIZING GRANITE – Form: 5P2-P5

Jockey: Tom O’Brien

Trainer: Colin Tizzard

Beat God’s Own as a novice at Aintree in 2015 but was pulled up in this race 12 months ago and lost a shoe when making his debut for Colin Tizzard in the BetVictor Gold Cup last November. Had a tune-up over hurdles in February but too many recent question marks to warrant serious consideration in this field. Rating: 2/10

SPECIAL TIARA – Form: 3-6315

Jockey: Noel Fehily

Trainer: Henry De Bromhead

Sixth, third and third in the last three renewals of the Champion Chase and conditions should again suit this flamboyant front-runner. But there could be plenty of pace on this year with the potential for competition up front not a positive sign for his hopes of reaching the frame again. Rating: 5/10

TOP GAMBLE – Form: 11-533

Jockey: Davy Russell

Trainer: Kerry Lee

Ended last season in great form, winning a Grade 2 prize at Fairyhouse, but has failed to repeat that since and would need to bounce back to his best to have a chance of challenging the likes of Douvan. Might also want softer ground and could get adrift. Rating: 4/10

TRAFFIC FLUIDE – Form: 3/3-46

Jockey: Joshua Moore

Trainer: Gary Moore

Without a win in two years and hasn’t beaten a horse in his two runs this season. On his very best, might have a chance at a lower placing, but has not convinced that he is anywhere near his best at the moment. Rating: 1/10

VERDICT:

Simply put, if he stands up, DOUVAN should make it 15 wins on the bounce against a bunch of rivals he has either already beaten or holds on other formlines. God's Own could well chase Douvan home and be worth a look in any 'without' markets alongside fellow Tom George inmate Sir Valentino.