Sire De Grugy began Monday morning as the new favourite for the BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase in the wake of Sprinter Sacre’s defection and the chestnut took another step towards assuming that position in a fortnight’s time with a racecourse gallop at Plumpton.

EAMON DUNPHY will finally get to have “The Last Word” after announcing he is to quit his popular radio drive-time show on Today FM.