Crack Irish raider can put the smile back on Paul Townend’s face after a challenging first day at the Cheltenham Festival
Altior could not make the date but this Queen Mother Champion Chase still features a fascinating clash between two top-class animals. Defi Du Seuil has had an excellent season and his pace makes him a danger in any company but Chacun Pour Soi (3.30) looks enormously talented and can come out on top.
That, after all, was what happened when they met at Punchestown last April and there is no clear reason why the form should not stand up. Chacun Pour Soi had four lengths in hand at the line that day, yet Defi Du Seuil ran well enough to dispel any thought he may have underperformed, with last year’s Arkle Chase winner, Duc des Genievres, 16 lengths further back in third. Chacun Pour Soi was last seen landing the Dublin Chase, comfortably besting Min, who had won the race for the previous two years. He can help put the smile back on Paul Townend’s face after a difficult opening day.
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Cheltenham
1.30 Envoi Allen 2.10 Easy Game (nb) 2.50 Top Moon 3.30 Chacun Pour Soi 4.10 Easysland 4.50 Palladium (nap) 5.30 Appreciate It
Lingfield
1.20 Zayriyan 1.55 Voice Of A Leader 2.35 Sly Minx 3.15 Rhyme Scheme 3.55 Magical Wish 4.35 Kodiellen 5.15 Distant Applause
Huntingdon
1.45 Dagueneau 2.25 Midnightreflection 3.05 Emma Lamb 3.45 Imperial Nemesis 4.25 Sandford Castle 5.05 Rhosneigr 5.40 Inca Rose
Kempton
4.40 Say It Simple 5.20 Dromara King 5.50 Vega's Angel 6.20 All Yours 6.50 Rains Of Castamere 7.20 Epic Challenge 7.50 Musee D'Orsay 8.20 Deadly Accurate