DEFI CAN SEE OFF ALTIOR

Ben Morgan is expecting a classic renewal of the Queen Mother Champion Chase

- Ben Morgan

WEDNESDAY LINE-UP

1.30 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle
2.10 RSA Novices’ Chase
2.50 Coral Cup Hurdle
3.30 Champion Chase
4.10 Cross Country Chase
4.50 Boodles Juvenile Hurdle
5.30 Champion Bumper

Champion Chase

After Altior bounced back to form at Newbury, this race looks set to be the race of the meeting. Defi Du Seuil, Altior and Chacun Pour Soi will do battle to be crowned Champion Chaser 2020. It is a crown Altior has taken for the last two years but, after an indifferent start to his season, he now has collected a group of doubters. I’m not necessarily one of them. I still think he is one of the best chasers we have ever seen, but I do believe his master handler has made a right pig’s ear of his season.

However, that win at Newbury has seemingly put him right back on track and consequently this leaves me with the hardest decision of the week. Altior or DEFI DU SEUIL and the only reason I am selecting the latter is because his season has run a lot smoother than his rival and that positive momentum seems to prove crucial in these races.

Everything he has done this term has looked brilliant, his defeats of Un De Sceaux have been most impressive and he seems incredibly versatile as regards ground, tactics and pace. I always used to back Altior because of that staying power, the stamina which would dig him out of so many holes but Defi stays further and looks as equally as strong a stayer so it comes down to who is the fastest horse?

I think the younger legs of Defi might just prevail this time but it feels so wrong to be tipping against Altior. I’m sure many a punter are in a similar position.