Betfair Exchange Chase (Grade 2) (Registered As The Game Spirit Chase)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 4m 21.5s

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Selected odds by:

Altior²⁸⁷

4/7

Much-anticipated comeback for last season's impressive Arkle winner, unbeaten over jumps to date. Won this contest as he pleased a year ago, comes here having had return delayed by wind surgery. Sets lofty standard if near his best.

Form: 111111-

Politologue⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 165| D

6/4

Much-improved this term and is three-from-three so far. Proved his Grade 1 Tingle Creek win was no fluke with smooth victory in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton over Christmas. Trainer thinks the world of him and he is race-fit.

Form: 14F-111

Valdez¹²⁰⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-0| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 151| BF| C| D

33/1

A smart novice chaser three seasons ago, last seen falling when going well in a handicap at Chepstow in October 2014. Absent for 1204 days, he'd have 20lb to find with this pair on best form and surely has a support role to play barring accidents.

Form: 11152F/

Forecasts

Altior (4/7), Politologue (6/4), Valdez (33/1)

A fascinating duel (seemingly) on paper as Queen Mother Champion Chase favourite ALTIOR puts his unbeaten record on the line after nine months off and a wind operation that halted his return to action before Christmas. Nicky Henderson's charge was every inch a superstar last term and will take some stopping if he's able to run to the level he showed when careering away with this contest a year ago. In his absence, Politologue has been making hay. He was game to win the Tingle Creek early in December and had no trouble following up at Kempton over Christmas. His trainer knows better than most what a top-tier 2m chaser looks like and is very sweet on the much-improved seven-year-old's prospects this spring. Make no mistake, if the favourite is in any way undercooked, his veneer of invincibility over jumps could be smashed. The long-absent Valdez surely requires some ill-fate on his rivals to have any chance and connections will be thrilled if he can put in a decent round and come home with the future in mind.