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Channel 4 Racing commentator Simon Holt previews the second day of the Cheltenham Festival with Sprinter Sacre selected to strike.


2pts win Sprinter Sacre 3.20 Cheltenham at best morning price - Still capable of landing the day two feature despite his problems

1pt e.w. The Young Master 2.05 Cheltenham at best morning price - Has handicap experience to draw upon and looks the value call

1pt e.w. Volnay De Thaix in 2.40 Cheltenham at best morning price - Quality performer who can defy his big weight

The prospect of ground similar to when SPRINTER SACRE took the jumping world by storm two years ago offers hope that this brilliant but physically troubled chaser can return to something like his best and win a second Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham on Wednesday.

The giant nine-year-old's problems involving a fibrillating heart and a tendency to bleed internally have been well documented but he retains a good deal of ability judged on his second to Dodging Bullets in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot in January.

Trainer Nicky Henderson has been giving out some very positive vibes since that eagerly awaited return on ground that was softer than ideal, and Sprinter Sacre could run a stone below the form of his brilliant defeats of Sizing Europe (in this race) and Cue Card at Aintree in the spring of 2013 - and still win.

Those performances earned him a rating of 188 and, while nobody realistically expects him to reach that lofty level again, the fact that last year's Champion Chase winner Sire De Grugy is rated 172 illustrates a large degree of breathing space.

Like Sprinter Sacre, the defending champion has had his problems this season and didn't reappear until Newbury's Game Spirit Chase in early February when he blundered Jamie Moore out of the saddle at the third last. Sire De Grugy appeared likely to come off second best that day behind easy winner Mr Mole but has since enjoyed a useful confidence booster under a big weight in an uncompetitive race at Chepstow.

Neither of his efforts, in my opinion, prove that he is back to the form of last season when, in Sprinter Sacre's absence, he won five times including when slamming Somersby by six lengths here (Special Tiara sixth) but, providing this doesn't come too soon after Chepstow, he must be a big player again.

Dodging Bullets has been this season's star two-miler having landed the Tingle Creek at Sandown before accounting for the selection at Ascot.

Paul Nicholls appears to have produced a masterstroke with this horse who, before this season, had tended to fall short in top class company and, before his latest success, had always seemed best in the first half of the season.

However, Dodging Bullets, only fourth to Western Warhorse and Champagne Fever in the Arkle here last year, might just be best with plenty of give in the ground and drying conditions coud make it difficult to confirm that recent form with Sprinter Sacre.

Champagne Fever, a Festival favourite having won the bumper and the Supreme Novices at this meeting before his Arkle second 12 months ago, looks bound to run well again dropping back from longer trips.

The grey patently failed to stay three miles when fourth to Silviniaco Conti in the King George at Kempton over Christmas, then fell when possibly looking held by Don Cossack at Thurles before justifying odds-on favouritism at Gowran Park. All in all, he has had a slightly patchy season but his Festival record warrants him much respect.

Mr Mole, a stable companion of Dodging Bullets, has been another fine advertisement for his trainer's skills winning all three of his starts this season having looked a very tricky character in the past. Judged by a slight reluctance to line up at Newbury last time, he retains a few quirks but deserves his place in the field with A P McCoy aboard.

In the RSA Chase, Don Poli is many people's idea of one of the bets of the meeting but I will take a chance on THE YOUNG MASTER providing a minor upset.

Neil Mulholland's six-year-old has been a relentless improver winning nine of his last 11 races on the Flat, over hurdles and fences. Ignoring a harsh technical disqualification after romping to victory in the Badger Ales Chase at Wincanton earlier in the season, The Young Master is unbeaten in four races over the larger obstacles and improved yet again to beat Houblon Des Obeaux at Ascot in December since when he has been laid out for a Festival attempt.

Don Poli, winner of the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle here 12 months ago, has impressed in two chases so far, beating the well regarded Apache Stronghold in a Leopardstown Grade One in late December. An out and out galloper, he was also entered for the 4-miler as was The Young Master and the RSA is a race in which stamina can be paramount.

In the Coral Cup, VOLNAY DE THAIX may have the class to defy top weight of 11st12lb, less Peter Carberry's 3lb allowance.

A decent novice last season when second to Irving at Ascot and fifth to Lac Fontana at Aintree, he has appeared to make great strides this term, hacking up on his reappearance at Huntingdon and chasing home Rock On Ruby here in December.

A defeat at Haydock in between can be forgiven as Volnay De Thaix appeared not to stay three miles and this course and distance could prove ideal in an admittedly hot race.