Henrietta Knight: Champ probably has more natural ability than Best Mate

Champ: set to return to action at Newbury on SundayCredit: Alan Crowhurst / Getty Images

Henrietta Knight believes Champ has more natural ability than her three-time Gold Cup hero Best Mate and thinks his reappearance in Sunday’s Betfair Game Spirit Chase (3.00) will help sharpen him up for the Cheltenham Festival showpiece next month.

In a surprise move Nicky Henderson announced on Sunday that last season’s RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase winner would drop back significantly in trip for his belated reappearance to run in the Game Spirit in preparation for a tilt at next month’s WellChild Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The JP McManus-owned nine-year-old has not been seen in action since winning at the festival last March, but has visited Knight for a schooling session. Champ’s dam China Sky is a sister to Best Mate and Knight feels there are similarities between the two in terms of their looks and nature.

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Jack HaynesReporter

Published on 17 February 2021inNews

Last updated 18:32, 17 February 2021

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