Put The Kettle On odds 'a bit mad' as owner looks to down Champion Chase big two

Connections of Put The Kettle On, last season's Champion Chase heroine, are in familiar territory with their mare overlooked at odds of 20-1 for her repeat bid, but her owner believes a third Cheltenham Festival triumph in as many years could be on the cards next week.

Put The Kettle On created history last year by becoming the first mare to win the Champion Chase and, while she has been below par in both of her starts this season, part-owner John Dermody says trainer Henry de Bromhead believes she is coming back to her best form.

Dermody concedes Shishkin and Energumene will be difficult to repel but insists odds of 20-1 about Put The Kettle On, who is set to wear cheekpieces for the first time and is four from five at the course, are “a bit mad”.