Ground a question mark for Sceaux in Tingle

Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh have both admitted to doubts about whether the ground will be soft enough for Un De Sceaux to be at his best in the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase.

After a week of 'will-he-won't-he' headlines surrounding the potential participation of superstar stablemate Douvan, it is Un De Sceaux who picks up the gauntlet for the powerhouse duo.

Un De Sceaux is hardly a bad horse to have as an apparent second string, and while he was beaten at odds-on in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham and also second at Sandown, the only horse in front of him was the mighty Sprinter Sacre.

"We'd ideally want the ground softer, it's going to be a tough test," said Mullins. "We're up against battle-hardened horses and our fellow will need to be in top form.

"He was ready a couple of weeks ago for the Fortria Chase (at Navan), but since then I've given him an easy time.

"He worked nicely during the week, but we'll know how nicely on Saturday."

For Walsh, who is less of a passenger these days on the former tearaway, the Railway fences are likely to be some thrill.

"The ground is only good to soft and when they've had the frost covers on it tends to ride a bit better," he said.

"It's always a great race to watch and he's always a good ride. It's a competitive race, but he's still top-rated and he's an exciting horse to ride."

Likely to be taking Un De Sceaux on for the lead is Gary Moore's Ar Mad.

Impressive winner of the Henry VIII on this card last year, he was forced to miss the big spring meetings through injury.

For a relatively small yard, Moore is in the awkward position of having to run his two best horses in the same race, as Sire De Grugy, twice a winner of this, also lines up.

Adding further split loyalties for the trainer is that Ar Mad is ridden by one son, Josh, with brother Jamie on Sire De Grugy.

"Ar Mad got a fracture after Plumpton. He had a screw put in and fair play to the vets, it's all gone very well," Moore told At The Races.

"He schooled on Monday morning. He was dynamite, he just loves to jump. He went very straight over his fences. He couldn't get over them quick enough. I'm just very pleased with him. "