Sprinter Sacre looks poised to regain crown at Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase

This afternoon’s Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase could hardly be more puzzling for punters, the essential difficulty not in reading the form, but gauging/guessing the well-being of the market leaders, Sprinter Sacre and Sire De Grugy.

In terms of what they have already achieved, it can be deduced 2013 winner Sprinter Sacre will regain his crown at the expense of reigning champ Sire De Grugy. But, both have had their problems and come here with something to prove.

Following a lay-off of more than a year, Sprinter Sacre made his comeback in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot in January, and was backed as though a winning return was a formality. However, after travelling up ominously and putting his nose in front, he was ultimately well beaten by Dodging Bullets.