Trainer - Nicky Henderson
Jockey - Nico De Boinville
Star chaser of his generation, arriving on the scene off the back of Sprinter Sacre's miraculous recovery from health issues before he was safely retired.
Altior may be even better though, and arrives here a very short price to emulate Big Buck's record of eighteen successive victories, and what would be a second Champion Chase.
A winner here as well in the Arkle and Supreme in the past, and very difficult to see past him winning again.
T - Peter Fahy
J -
Lightly raced 8yo, who came down early on in the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase won well by Willie Mullins' Min.
Until then he had some fine form over fences - winning on his first two starts, and later won a Grade Two at Cork.
Others with better profiles here though, so will need to bring his A game to stand a chance.
T - Tom George
J - Paddy Brennan
Valiant old boy who such a fine record in his career, particularly at Cheltenham - second in the 2015 Arkle, and second, third and fourth in this contest in the last three years.
A winner on his seasonal reappearance at Exeter in the Haldon Gold Cup, he finished second to Charbel in the Peterborough Chase; form that has not really escalated.
Maybe getting on now, but no shock if he ran a blinder into a place.
T - Harry Fry
J - Barry Geraghty
Inconsistent sort who does not like to get his head in front that often, but did so last time out at Ascot.
Was on his best behaviour that day when prevailing in a useful handicap where he beat Janika - a big Festival fancy on the Thursday of Chelteham, by a couple of lengths.
This looks a totally different ball game though.
T - Willie Mullins
J -
Arguably the horse in the field that poses the best chance of upsetting Altior, although he is yet to beat him - like any horse, in the two times they have met on the track.
If it was not for Altior, Min would be a two-time Festival winner in the Supreme and last year's Champion Chase, and perhaps a three-time winner if he was fit for the 2017 Arkle.
Looked to be going the best last year up the straight until Nicky Henderson's star powered away up the hill.
Remains one of the best two-milers around.
T - Henry De Bromhead
J -
Travelled so well into this race last year having been badly outpaced early on, but could not match the speed on the front pair.
No win this season, but ran with much credit as he so often does and seems to pick up the pieces and places where ever he goes.
Work to do with Min letalone Altior.
T - Paul Nicholls
J -
The forgotten horse in many aspects, this grey's hopes of going up to three miles were all but shattered in the King George over Christmas.
A bright start to the campaign came courtesy of a win in the the Christy 1965 Chase at Ascot, having won the Grade One Melling Chase over Min last term.
Miles behind Cyrname in the Ascot Chase latest, and drops back to two.
T - Harry Whittingdon
J - Gavin Sheehan
Traded blows with Champion Hurdle bound Petit Mouchoir far too early in last season's Arkle, effectively running out of steam in the closing stages.
Began this season by reversing the form with Footpad over in Ireland, before finishing a creditable third to Altior in the Tingle Creek.
Third again on return to Ireland and dropped away tamely, so needs to provide more.
T - Alan King
J - Daryl Jacob
Last of the four in the Tingle Creek, having shown plenty of promise in the Shloer Chase at the Festival venue on his first start of the season.
Reverted to hurdles in the Kingmaker to shoot some confidence into him, but was beaten at Wincanton by Grand Sancy who is Supreme bound.
Struggled to beat a novice, so is going to find it hard here, but can sparkle on his day.
