IT might have seemed extremely unlikely earlier this season but the much touted clash between Altior (11/8) and Douvan (8/1) is still alive at the entry stage of the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase, with both horses among 30 entries for the flagship two-mile event at Cheltenham.

The pair, both previous Arkle winners, have yet to run this season but it is more probable that Altior will be back in time for Cheltenham with Nicky Henderson reporting that the eight-year-old was back cantering last week and may have a prep run in the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury.

LONG SHOT

Willie Mullins has admitted it is still a “long shot” Douvan will be able to run but he has left the door open for the son of Walk In The Park after he pleasantly surprised with his progress.

The champion trainer has nine entries for the race altogether, including a formidable outfit of Min (5/1), Yorkhill (6/1), Great Field (11/1) and Un De Sceaux (12/1). Of that four, disincluding Great Field, the other three have also been entered in the Ryanair Chase. Mullins has also doubled-up entries for the long-absent Black Hercules (25/1) and the potentially progressive French import Polidam (25/1).

In the absence of both Alior and Douvan, Paul Nicholls’s Politologue (7/2) has stepped up to the plate and has recorded three wins from three runs this season, including a hard fought win over Fox Norton (10/1) in the Tingle Creek at Sandown. The latter mentioned, runner-up in the race last season has also been entered, as has his conqueror Special Tiara (16/1), who fell in the Grade 2 Desert Orchid Chase. won by Politologue, on his previous run.

There is a total of 17 Irish-trained horses among the entries, with Gordon Elliott responsible for five of the possible raiding party, of which the shortest-priced runner is A Toi Phil (33/1). The other to note is last season’s festival scorer Tully East (50/1).

Betway prices

11/8 Altior; 7/2 Politilogue; 5/1 Min; 6/1 Yorkhill; 8/1 Douvan; 10/1 Fox Norton; 11/1 Great Field; 12/1 Un De Sceaux; 16/1 Special Tiara; 20/1 Top Notch