Stars out in force for Savills Chase brimming with quality and intrigue

As the first salvos of the jumps season begin to echo behind us, the Savills Chase provides a soothing antidote to the annual consternation over the detrimental effect that the Cheltenham Festival obsession exacts on the rest of the season.

Invariably, fairly or otherwise, Nicky Henderson tends to be the catalyst for such existential angst. His preference for endeavouring to have – as Lydia Hislop put it – as close to the beau ideal conditions as possible before subjecting his star performers to a race is a readymade lightning rod most autumns.

It is a policy that hasn't exactly been vindicated over the past few days, and you might have thought Champ's absence from the Savills Chase would inflame the discussion further.