First-class Mail in Champion Chase frame

Exciting French recruit Mail De Bievre is set to be supplemented for the Sportingbet Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham next month, trainer Tom George confirmed.

Having shown impressive form in his homeland, the eight-year-old jumped superbly towards the head of affairs on his British debut in the three-mile Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury before weakening into fifth in the straight.

Although he holds an entry in the two-mile-five-furlong Ryanair Chase at the Festival, connections are now ready to stump up the required £17,500 to add him to the Champion Chase field.