Cheltenham Countdown: Traffic Fluide a problems for Un De Sceaux?

Un De Sceaux didn’t have to have a particularly hard race to account for Sire De Grugy in last Saturday’s Clarence House Chase, at Ascot, the inevitable upshot of which was a return to odds-on favouritism for the Champion Chase.

With second-favourite Sprinter Sacre back to winning ways this season but still a long way below his best, it was a merited move by the bookmakers. Ruby Walsh, aboard the Eddie O’Connell-owned Un De Sceaux, kept control of his mount for most of the trip, likely more concerned about a clear round than an exuberant display.

And the eight-year-old duly delivered such a performance: clinical but unspectacular, yet perfect as a prep, and worrying for those preparing to take him on in March.