Betfair Exchange Chase (Grade 2) (Registered As The Game Spirit Chase)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 4m 21.5s

1^st

Altior

811-6

4/7f

T: N J HendersonJ: N de Boinville

Jumped well, led until approaching 2nd, tracked leader until 5th, handy 3rd, 2nd travelling well approaching 2 out, upsides on bit last, nudged into lead run-in, soon clear, impressive op 1/2

2^nd

Politologue

711-6

6/4

T: P F NichollsJ: Sam Twiston-Davies

Keen, with leader until went on approaching 2nd, fiddled 4th, pushed along after 2 out, joined last, ridden headed and easily outpaced run-in, no chance with winner op 15/8

3^rd

Valdez

1111-0

33/1

T: A KingJ: Wayne Hutchinson

Took keen hold and jumped right, close 3rd, tracked leader 5th, pecked on landing 4 out, lost 2nd approaching 2 out, weakened tchd 28/1

Watch Race Replay

Unlimited race replays of all UK & Irish racing

Betting Breakdown

Tote Win:£1.30EX:£1.40Trifecta:£1.40SF:£1.60

Forecasts

Altior (4/7), Politologue (6/4), Valdez (33/1)

A fascinating duel (seemingly) on paper as Queen Mother Champion Chase favourite ALTIOR puts his unbeaten record on the line after nine months off and a wind operation that halted his return to action before Christmas. Nicky Henderson's charge was every inch a superstar last term and will take some stopping if he's able to run to the level he showed when careering away with this contest a year ago. In his absence, Politologue has been making hay. He was game to win the Tingle Creek early in December and had no trouble following up at Kempton over Christmas. His trainer knows better than most what a top-tier 2m chaser looks like and is very sweet on the much-improved seven-year-old's prospects this spring. Make no mistake, if the favourite is in any way undercooked, his veneer of invincibility over jumps could be smashed. The long-absent Valdez surely requires some ill-fate on his rivals to have any chance and connections will be thrilled if he can put in a decent round and come home with the future in mind.