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.