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SACRE SEEKS CHAMPION CROWN.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Wed

Nicky Henderson admits he will be disappointed if Sprinter Sacre is beaten in the Sportingbet Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham today.

The seven-year-old is many punters' idea of the banker of the week and has been long odds-on for the two-mile showpiece since the ante-post book was opened.

Unbeaten in seven races over fences, including the Arkle Trophy at last year's Festival, Sprinter Sacre has understandably frightened away a lot of the opposition. He still has decent rivals to beat, headed by the 2011 Champion hero Sizing Europe, and Henderson is not taking anything for granted.

PONT THE STAR NAME IN NEPTUNE.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Wed

Willie Mullins believes Pont Alexandre "seems to have everything" ahead of his highly anticipated run in the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham today.

It is a measure of the regard in which the five-year-old is held that Ireland's champion trainer threw him straight in at Grade One level on his debut, and that confidence was justified as he produced a scintillating display at Navan.

He was arguably even more impressive at Leopardstown in January, with many having him down as the Irish banker of the Festival.

Mullins said: "We've asked him two big questions so far this season and he's answered the call well on both occasions. We're asking him another big question, so we'll see how he gets on. He's in good form - the ground wouldn't be a worry for me, or the trip.