Champion Chase 2020: Cheltenham Festival big race betting guide, odds, preview, contenders and more

Cheltenham big race guides: Stayers' Hurdle | Gold Cup
Altior's absence paves the way for Defi Du Seuil
Getty Images

The second day of the Cheltenham Festival was set to pit the best two-mile chasers around against each other in the prestigious Queen Mother Champion Chase.

That was before Nicky Henderson's superstar Altior was withdrawn on Tuesday, denying him the chance to complete an historic hat-trick of successes in the race and a fifth Cheltenham Festival triumph overall.

With Chacun Pour Soi also withdrawing hours out from the race, it opens the way for Defi Du Seuil to clinch victory.

Both the placed horses from last year, Alan King’s Sceau Royal and Paul Nicholls’ Politologue, are back again, the latter joined by fellow Ditcheat inmate Dynamite Dollars, who shaped well on his reappearance in the Game Spirit after a lengthy lay-off.

Scroll down for Standard Sport’s guide to four of the key contenders…

Cheltenham Festival through the years - In pictures

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Defi Du Seuil

Jockey: Barry Geraghty Trainer: Philip Hobbs Age: 7
Owner: JP McManus Form: 1-2111 Odds: 6/5
Defi Du Seuil beats the now-retired Un De Sceuax in the Clarence House earlier this year
Getty Images

Horse guide: Two-time Festival winner having taken the 2017 Triumph Hurdle and last year's JLT. Dropped back to two miles for the step into open company this season and has excelled, unbeaten in three starts, including two Grade One successes. Soft ground not a problem.

What they said: "It was dazzling and breathtaking. I love riding him. He's not the biggest in the world but has so much scope. He's up for it and that's what you love about good two-mile chasers." - Jockey Barry Geraghty after win at Ascot in January.

Dynamite Dollars

Jockey: Harry Cobden Trainer: Paul Nicholls Age: 7
Owner: Michael Geoghegan Form: 2111-3 Odds: 17/1
Getty Images

Horse guide: Probably the outstanding British novice over this trip last season but missed Cheltenham through injury. Shaped well on return after 378-day absence when finishing third to Altior at Newbury last month and will no doubt come on for that run.

What they said: "He is a really lively outsider in my book and won't need to improve much on the Newbury run to put him right in the mix." - Trainer Paul Nicholls

Politologue

Jockey: Harry Skelton Trainer: Paul Nicholls Age: 9
Owner: J Hales Form: 422-25 Odds: 20/1
Politologue (left) and Sceau Royal (right) battle with Altior in last season's race
REUTERS

Horse guide: Last year's runner-up is a consistent performer for the Nicholls yard but has not won a race of any description since November 2018. Comes here fresh having not been seen since finishing 18 lengths behind Defi Du Seuil at Sandown in early December.

What they said: "He is almost the forgotten horse if you think he wasn't beaten far last year and he saves his best race for Cheltenham. He jumped the last virtually upsides Altior and wasn't beaten too far." - Trainer Paul Nicholls

Sceau Royal

Jockey: Daryl Jacob Trainer: Alan King Age: 8
Owner: Simon Munir
​& Isaac Souede​
Form: 32-632 Odds: 24/1
Getty Images

Horse guide: Another who has run well in some top races without getting his head in front in recent seasons. Ran a mighty race for third last year and finished second to Altior at Newbury last time out but would want better ground.

What they said: "It was a great run and when he gets his ground he's as good as ever. I couldn't be more pleased with my fella and he's better left-handed, even though I know he's won at Sandown." - Trainer Alan King after finishing second at Newbury last month.

*All odds according to Betfair and correct as of 09/03/20.

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