Sizing Europe is a short price for the sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase but he looks a pretty safe bet for punters on day two of the Cheltenham Festival.

The 2mi division had been relatively open for the last couple of seasons before Sizing Europe romped up the Cheltenham hill to claim the Grade One prize last term.

Reversing form with old adversary Big Zeb, he thoroughly impressed as he utilised his extra reserves of stamina to power five lengths clear at the line and supplement his Arkle victory of 2010.

While he went on to suffer a surprise defeat at the hands of Big Zeb at Punchestown, it was a touch surprising that trainer Henry de Bromhead wanted to try the three-mile route once again at Down Royal on his seasonal bow.

He has always maintained the ten-year-old would stay the trip but just as Kauto Star proved to strong in 2010, Quito De La Roque saw it out much the better as Sizing Europe found the petrol gauge on empty after the last.

Reverting to two miles in the Tingle Creek though, he demonstrated just how good he is over the minimum trip, with his fencing improving for the quicker pace.

An eight-length victor at Sandown back in December, he has since claimed the scalp of Big Zeb once again by 15 lengths at Punchestown and it will be a major shock if he does not triumph again back at one of his favourite tracks, on ground to suit.

Grands Crus is another worthy market leader in the RSA Chase, arriving at Prestbury Park with an unblemished record over fences.

He chased Big Buck's all the way in staying hurdles last term and has transferred that level of form to fences, running away on his chasing bow here last autumn.

Subsequently a winner at Newbury, Grands Crus then plundered the Feltham at Kempton in convincing style and even though he did not get his intended prep run, David Pipe will have left no stone unturned in the build-up to his big moment.

Victory for Simonsig would hardly be a surprise in the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle.

Had Fingal Bay not been ruled out through injury, he would have been a short price for this race, but Simonsig can still advertise the form to the fullest.

He was beaten just under three lengths by Fingal Bay at Sandown before Christmas, form which bares the closest inspection as the winner went on to add Grade One glory to his tally.

Simonsig regained the winning thread with a stylish verdict at Kelso last time and while the two-mile-five trip is something of a question mark.