Defi Du Seuil is 5/1 from 7s at BetVictor for the Champion Chase at the 2020 Champion Chase after a thrilling win in the Tingle Creek at Sandown on Saturday. At the last I thought the Philip Hobbs chaser would win by a couple of lengths, but he was all out in the end and I wonder if Nicky Henderson will now consider dropping Altior (3/1 at BetVictor for the Champion Chase) back down in trip for his next start.

Altior is a better horse going left-handed and I don’t think the King George is the right race for him. The Champion Chase or Ryanair and the Martell Cup at Aintree over 2m 4f would be his end of season objectives if he were mine. Note Altior is 10/1 for the Ryanair at BetVictor.

There was further rain forecast for Musselburgh yesterday where the ground was described as good to soft (soft in places) at noon on Sunday.

In the opener Sidi Ismael (12.15) begins life in handicaps off what looks an attractive looking mark. Keith Dalgleish’s five-year-old is a chaser-in-waiting and doesn’t really treat his hurdles with any respect, but he is a fine stamp of a horse who has bits of form which suggest he could be well treated on his handicap debut. Note the gelding is fitted with a tongue-tie for the first time.

The Bumper winner Malystic did not look a natural on his hurdles debut but he looks sure to have been well schooled by Peter Niven since his early fall at Market Races. A market move would be worth noting, but No Regrets (12.45) is taken to appreciate the drop back to 2m having travelled well to two out when behind the promising Thomas McDonagh on his hurdles debut.

One of these days it will all click for Castletown over the larger obstacles, but he is still a maiden over the larger obstacles after 16 previous attempts and he is overlooked in the 2m 4f handicap chase. The form of the Ben Pauling yard is a real concern, but first time out may be the time to catch Espoir De Loire (1.15) who was a winning Irish pointer and could be very well treated on his chase debut.

This is a big day for Pauling as he saddles Guena Des Mottes (2.15) in the juvenile hurdler. The selection won a 3-y-old hurdle at Fontainebleau back in the spring and was bought by leading owners Isaac Souede and Simon Munir in the interim period. He carries a 5lbs penalty for that success in the French provinces.

At Lingfield Harrison Point must have every chance of giving record-breaking Hollie Doyle another winner in the 7f Novice event but preference is for the Chelmsford winner Story Of Light (1.00) who carries a 6lbs penalty for that success but should appreciate today’s additional furlong.

Corked’s (3.10) both career wins have come over today’s 10f trip including over C&D here back in September from a 6lbs lower mark. She was doing all her best work late last time when a staying on third over a mile and she gets the each way vote in the opener at Newcastle.

A market move for the William Haggas newcomer Tomorrow’s Dream would be worth noting in the 6f maiden, but both Lexington Dash and Corvair (3.15) shaped with considerable promise on debut and the Simon Crisford runner – runner up at Chelmsford over 7f – looks sure to appreciate the drop back in trip having shown plenty of early dash.