Big two stand ground in Tingle Creek
The two-mile Grade One contest, set to feature Azertyuiop and Moscow Flyer, has been reopened until 9.15am today and only then will the identity of the entries for the £125,000 showpiece be revealed.
However, the big two who are the past two winners of the Queen Mother Champion Chase are reported to be on course for Sandown, as is Cenkos, winner of the Tingle Creek in 2002.
Moscow Flyer is reported in "great form" as he continues his build-up to another mouth-watering clash with Azertyuiop.
Jessica Harrington's star won the Sandown Park Grade One contest 12 months ago by four lengths from Azertyuiop.
However, Paul Nicholls' charge took his revenge in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March after Moscow Flyer unseated Barry Geraghty four from home when still in contention.
Moscow Flyer also unshipped his rider in the Tingle Creek two years ago but has won all his completed starts over fences.
"He's in great form," Mrs Harrington said yesterday.
"We did a bit with him on the Curragh on Friday and Barry gave him a jump earlier in the week.
"He'll do another bit on Tuesday and he'll travel over on Thursday evening."
Moscow Flyer made a winning reappearance at Navan earlier this month when he gave a polished performance to beat Arctic Copper by 25 lengths in the Ballymore Properties Fortria Chase.
"I hope he's come on for it.
"It's a natural progression having had a race and a couple of bits of work that he'll have come on, and I hope he'll arrive at Sandown in great form," Mrs Harrington, speaking on At The Races, said.
