Sprinter Sacre, the highest-rated chaser in training, spearheads six confirmations for the Sodexo Clarence House Chase at Ascot on Saturday.

Anthony Honeyball insists he is thinking solely of this afternoon’s William Hill Imperial Cup at Sandown rather than the Cheltenham Festival with Regal Encore.

Conditions at Newbury by this Saturday could force Paul Nicholls into a reshuffle of troops for the Betfair Hurdle.

DEANO’S BEENO proved that there is no substitute for hard work as he took centre stage at Ascot yesterday with a battling victory in the Cantor Sport Long Walk Hurdle.