Last year's winner Azertyuiop and the 2003 champion Moscow Flyer will go head-to-head once again as they bid for Queen Mother Champion Chase glory. Azertyuiop won last year when Moscow Flyer's Barry Geraghty was unseated.
But Jessica Harrington's 11-year-old got the better of Azertyuiop in December's Tingle Creek at Sandown.
The pair are among eight horses set for Tuesday's showpiece after Armaturk and Rathgar Beau were withdrawn at the 48-hour stage.
Mister McGoldrick and Native Upmanship were the only withdrawals at the five-day declaration stage.
After the Tingle Creek defeat, trainer Paul Nicholls opted to run the eight-year-old Azertyuiop in the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day over three miles where he finished third.
But he bounced back to form with victory over the more familiar two-mile distance in Newbury's Spirit Chase last month.
Moscow Flyer has enjoyed plenty of success at Cheltenham, winning the Arkle Chase in 2002 before his Champion Chase triumph but more importantly, he is also unbeaten in his 17 completed races over fences.
His form coming into Cheltenham is impressive with four wins from his four starts.
Well Chief, the young pretender to the hurdling crown, heads Martin Pipe's challenge and will be hopeful of causing a shock against the big two although he only finished third in the Tingle Creek.
He already has a win under his belt at Cheltenham when he was victorious in the Victor Chandler Chase but will have it all to do.
Queen Mother Champion Chase,
Wednesday 16 March (8)
Azertyuiop, Cenkos, Central House, Kadarann, Moscow Flyer, Oneway, Venn Ottery, Well Chief.
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
