Racing Reaction: Un De Sceaux cut for 2017 Champion Chase

This time last week no-one was quite sure which superstar Willie Mullins was going to unleash in this year’s Tingle Creek Chase. Fast forward a few days later and the chosen one delivered with Un De Sceaux gamely scoring at Sandown.

The eight-year-old’s one-length victory ahead of dual winner Sire De Grugy has seen his Queen Mother Champion Chase odds cut from 10/1 to 8/1 with only stablemate Douvan and Fox Norton shorter in the betting.

It was a performance that displayed plenty of heart with jockey Ruby Walsh negotiating a few late blunders to steer his mount home.

However, it wasn’t the only story to emerge from a dramatic afternoon of racing.

Un De Sceaux shows heart as well as class to land Tingle Creek

Here’s a re-cap of the titanic tussle that decided the race of the day:

In a memorable finish, UN DE SCEAUX and Ruby Walsh out-duel the gallant Sire De Grugy to win a thrilling Tingle Creek at Sandown pic.twitter.com/otTusXtU9u

— Channel 4 Racing (@Channel4Racing) December 3, 2016

Ruby Walsh was full of praise for his gutsy winner…

.@Ruby_Walsh on Un De Sceaux: “This horse wears his heart on his sleeve, he just has that natural will to win.” pic.twitter.com/ACB0F2yRiV

— PA Racing (@PAracing) December 3, 2016

Altior further outlines Arkle claims

Earlier on the Sandown card, Altior went two from two over fences with a relatively straightforward win in the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase.

Last season’s Supreme Novices’ hero made a couple of errors but still managed to get the job done by six lengths after sprinting clear once over the last.

Nicky Henderson’s charge remains the 2/1 favourite for the 2017 Arkle.

Clouds cut for second National success

Meanwhile, over in Aintree a track legend re-affirmed his love affair with the Merseyside venue.

2015 Grand National winner Many Clouds went on to take a competitive Listed contest following a fine round of jumping.

We’ve slashed his odds on another Grand National success from 33/1 to 20/1, making Oliver Sherwood’s star one of three co-favourites, alongside The Last Samuri and Native River.

The former was also engaged at Aintree, going on to finish a creditable third in the Becher Chase behind the winner Vieux Lion Rouge and Highland Lodge.

Vieux Lion Rouge is now a 25/1 shot for next year’s Grand National.

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All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing