Big three stand ground in Queen Mother

Moscow Flyer, Azertyuiop and Well Chief have all stood their ground ahead of an enthralling renewal of the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham next Wednesday.

In what could be race of the Festival, only Mister McGoldrick and Native Upmanship were withdrawn from the two-mile showpiece at today’s five-day confirmation stage.

Azertyuiop’s trainer Paul Nicholls still has Armaturk, Cenkos and Kadarann engaged, with Well Chief's handler Martin Pipe also having the Oliver Carter-owned Venn Ottery entered.

The least exposed in the field of 10 is prolific winner Oneway, who heads into the Champion Chase unbeaten in his last five starts.

“I am delighted with him and he should be spot-on on the day,” said trainer Mark Rimell.

“He is a horse who has never been beaten on a racecourse when he has been sound, and has seemed to have come on with every run.

“I have been very happy with his build-up to the race, and whether he is good enough or not remains to be seen.

“It is probably chucking him in at the deep end a little bit, but having said that, he has gone up in the handicap and is off a rating of 149.

“He is not far off having to go into conditions races with the big boys, but this race may just come two or three months too early.

“Obviously there is only one Cheltenham Festival though, and there has been a lot of sick horses around this year. To get a horse there fit and healthy after a hard season is a hard thing to do and I think our fellow is 110 per cent.

“He has a lot to find with those top three but there is nothing to say it isn’t there. I have no idea what is in his locker, but I suppose we will find out next week.”

Oneway is a 14-1 chance with Coral, while locked together at the head of the market are old rivals Moscow Flyer and Azertyuiop.

“We’ve been betting on this race since last year’s Festival, and with just five days to go until the big day, we’re unable to split the two market principals,” said the firm’s David Stevens.

Queen Mother Champion Chase, Coral bet: 13-8 Azertyuiop, Moscow Flyer, 3-1 Well Chief, 14-1 Oneway, 20-1 Rathgar Beau, 25-1 Central House, 40-1 Armaturk, 66-1 Kadarann, Cenkos, Venn Ottery.