Moore's confidence in Sire De Grugy

Gary Moore is confident a return to Cheltenham will not be a problem for Sire De Grugy as he looks to justify favouritism in the BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase on Wednesday.

With Nicky Henderson's reigning champion Sprinter Sacre the biggest absentee from this year's entire Festival after suffering a heart condition earlier this season, the two-mile chasing division has gone from being a one-horse show to a wide-open affair.

Sire De Grugy has undoubtedly taken up the mantle as the one to beat following victories in the Tingle Creek at Sandown, the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton and the Clarence House Chase at Ascot, with each effort more impressive than the last in the hands of the trainer's son, Jamie.

The eight-year-old's one defeat this season was at Prestbury Park, however, when beaten by Nicky Henderson's fellow Champion Chase contender Kid Cassidy, and he was also behind the champion trainer's other leading hope, Captain Conan, in novice company at the track in November 2012.

Moore said: "The horse is fine. I wouldn't say he's better than he's been all season, but I think he's as good as he was going into the race at Ascot. Hopefully that will be good enough. Obviously I would prefer it if there was more give in the ground, but we can't help what the ground is and we'll get on with it.

"I think people are trying to find ways to get him beat and everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I'm not worried about the track. His jumping has been so much better this year. He's matured and having Jamie ride him makes it better all round.

"Whatever happens, he's had a great season already. He's won two Grade Ones and a Grade Two so he's done his bit. He probably didn't get the credit he deserved earlier on this season but he has done now. Sprinter Sacre was a beast last year but that's racing. One day you're up there, the next day you're down."