Bievre to be supplemented for Champion

Exciting French recruit Mail De Bievre is set to be supplemented for the Sportingbet Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham next month, trainer Tom George confirmed.

Having shown impressive form in his homeland, the eight-year-old jumped superbly towards the head of affairs on his British debut in the three-mile Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury before weakening into fifth in the straight.

Although he holds an entry in the two-mile-five-furlong Ryanair Chase at the Festival, connections are now ready to stump up the required £17,500 to add him to the Champion Chase field.

"We don't have to do anything until a week before the race so we'll see how the horse is and everything else, but the plan is to supplement him for the Queen Mother," said George.

"He came out of the Newbury race really well and I think he has come on a lot for the run.

"He looks fantastic and very sharp and we look forward to Cheltenham with him.

"We're not under any pretence and we know it's going to be an uphill struggle, but our horse does have an unbelievably high cruising speed and a good jump in him.

"I think riding him positively over two miles will be just his cup of tea."