De Bromhead sweet on Special

Henry de Bromhead expects drying ground to bring out the best in Special Tiara in the BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham next week.

The seven-year-old was a surprise winner of the Grade One Maghull Novices' Chase on a sound surface at Aintree last spring and was not far behind Champion Chase favourite Sire De Grugy at Cheltenham earlier this season.

He was well beaten by Punchestown specialist Arvika Ligeonniere in a heavy ground Tied Cottage Chase in early February, but with the weather forecast largely dry between now and Wednesday, he looks set to encounter his favoured conditions at the Festival.

De Bromhead said: "Davy Russell will ride him. I'm hoping for better ground for him as he's much better on better ground and should improve a huge amount as he hated the ground at Punchestown.

"It was yielding when he won at Aintree and anything like that I'd be happy. He's in super form."

All set to join Special Tiara in the Champion Chase field is Cheltenham favourite Sizing Europe.

Winner of the Arkle in 2010 and the Champion Chase in 2011 and runner-up in the last two renewals of the two-mile championship, the 12-year-old saves his best efforts for the Festival.

De Bromhead said: "He seems in great form and he loves the place. I'm just hoping he gives a good account of himself."