Arvika primed for Champion assault

Arvika Ligeonniere spearheads the Irish challenge on this afternoon's BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

The nine-year-old has struck four times at Grade One level but has undoubtedly shown his absolute best on right-handed tracks.

Willie Mullins' charge was pulled up after running no sort of race in last year's Arkle Trophy, but his trainer is hopeful of a better showing 12 months on.

Mullins said: "He was disappointing last year in the Arkle. We're hoping we can put that behind us, but the soft ground we anticipated for him hasn't materialised. Going left-handed probably isn't ideal, but we're hoping he can overcome that and run well in an open race. Hopefully he'll be involved."

Henry de Bromhead saddles Cheltenham favourite Sizing Europe and Grade One winner Special Tiara. Sizing Europe has won the Arkle and Champion Chase and has filled the runner-up spot in this race for the last two years, but disappointed at Leopardstown last time and is getting on as a 12-year-old.

De Bromhead said: "His record round Cheltenham is second to none. We decided when Sprinter Sacre was out to commit to the Champion Chase. He has such a good record over the course and distance.

"Obviously he's 12 now, but we'll see. If he recaptures the form shown against Sprinter Sacre at Punchestown (last season), we'd be delighted. The run over Christmas was disappointing, I think my tactics were wrong, basically, but hopefully we can get it right at Cheltenham. If he could repeat his run in the race last year he'd run very well.

"With Special Tiara, the better the ground, the better he'll run. He has some good form with Sire De Grugy and some of those guys, so I think he has a really good chance. They both go there with live chances, I'm very hopeful with both of them."

The fourth and final Irish-trained runner is last year's Arkle runner-up Baily Green, who is bound to have been trained to the minute by master trainer Mouse Morris.

Big-race jockey David Casey said: "I'm looking forward to Baily Green. The weather forecast looks good for him because the more the ground dries the better. He ran a cracking race to finish second to Simonsig in the Arkle last year. I think Simonsig would be favourite if he was in the race and if Baily Green can repeat his Arkle performance, he must have a good chance."