And so finally it arrives . The clash we have been waiting so long for . The top-of-the-bill dust-up which for many is the highlight of the meeting and one which is quite simply too close to call . Nicky Henderson ’ s Sprinter Sacre versus Gary Moore-trained Sire de Grugy in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase . Sprinter Sacre was the imperious winner of the race in 2013 but could not defend his title 12 months ago because of illness . In his absence , Sire de Grugy galloped away with his crown displaying the same disdain for the leaden-footed gallopers chasing him . Barry Geraghty riding Sprinter Sacre celebrates victory in the Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase in 2013 . Sprinter Sacre clears a fence on his way to winning the race two years ago . Both pack a killer punch and both are battled scarred giants . Both also hail from stables reluctant to admit the possibility of defeat . If they were boxers , they would probably be nose-to-nose , eyes bulging , refusing to be the first to blink . But underneath would be a grudging respect borne not only out of mutual ability but also shared battles against adversity . They have met once before in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton in December 2013 . But it was a race memorable for the wrong reason as jockey Barry Geraghty pulled up Sprinter Sacre after the seventh fence with a fibrillating heart problem . It was an issue which kept him off the track until his second to Dodging Bullets at Ascot in January , a good performance off such a lengthy lay-off but one which only fuelled debate about whether the Sprinter Sacre of today is a shadow of the horse rated one of the best steeplechasers in his pomp . The delayed return had scuppered the pair ’ s first anticipated clash in the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown in December . Sire de Grugy , ridden by Jamie Moore , galloped to the crown at last year 's Festival . But by then Sire De Grugy , who mopped up Britain ’ s four Grade One two-mile chases in Sprinter Sacre ’ s absence , had also been sidelined . In his case it was a hip injury which initially had Moore fearing his season might be over . But after a blip when Moore ’ s jockey son Jamie was unseated in last month ’ s Game Spirit Chase at Newbury , confidence was restored with a smooth winning performance at Chepstow . The debate over their relative merits and how much talent they retain has been endless but now the time for talking is over . Henderson ( left ) , the most successful trainer in Festival history , has shown trademark patience in nursing Sprinter Sacre back into shape . He said : ‘ It will be the clash of the Festival . It is what we wanted last year and didn ’ t happen . It will be a hell of a clash . They have got a crown that we want back . I think we have a chance . You can ’ t be confident but I am hopeful . He is in seriously good shape and doing everything we have remotely asked him to do . Sprinter Sacre ( left ) finished second to Dodging Bullets in comeback at Ascot in January . Moore celebrates with Sire de Grugy after claiming victory last year . ‘ I am not saying he is back to his very best . When he was , he was absolutely ridiculously unbeatable . It didn ’ t matter what anyone threw at him . I am not saying he is still like that but he is in seriously good shape. ’ But Jamie Moore is equally bullish for Sire de Grugy . He said : ‘ I am hoping will see the same horse as last year and I am pretty sure they will . At the start of the season I thought he was working better last year . I think we will see the real Sire turn up and he will give them all a hell of race. ’ The danger , of course , is that all the focus on the big two leads to a talented rival being underestimated , just as when Imperial Commander gatecrashed the 2010 Gold Cup billed as the Denman versus Kauto Star show . Lining up against them is Paul Nicholls-trained Dodging Bullets , whose breeder Frankie Dettori was thinking more Derby and Royal Ascot when he sent dam Nova Cyngi to stallion Dubawi . Barry Geraghty acknowledges the crowd after being lead into the winner 's enclosure in 2013 . The three-time champion Flat jockey will be at the track to watch the form horse of the season and winner of both the Tingle Creek and Clarence House Chases run . Then there is Willie Mullins-trained Champagne Fever , who was just a head away in the Arkle Trophy Chase from winning at his third consecutive Festival , 12 months ago . Nicholls also saddles much improved Mr Mole , the mount of AP McCoy . The Cheltenham Festival is rightly billed as the Olympics of Jump racing . That make the two-mile Queen Mother Champion Chase the 100metres final . Fast , furious and compelling … and almost impossible to call .
Sprinter Scare won the Queen Mother Champion Chase in 2013 . But was not given the chance to defend his title last year due to illness . Sire de Grugy galloped away with the title in 2014 with comfortable win . Comment: