Un De Sceaux tipped to stay in France

Connections have hinted that Un De Sceaux may race primarily in France this season to avoid a showdown with Sprinter Sacre.

The duo faced each other at Cheltenham and Sandown last season, with Nicky Henderson’s charge taking the Queen Mother Champion Chase and bet365 Celebration Chase at the respective venues.

Un De Sceaux was second on both occasions and returned to winning ways at Auteuil in May before failing to shine in a Grade One hurdle at the same venue a month later.

The Willie Mullins-trained eight-year-old has not been seen since and part-owner Colm O’Connell admits that, although options are open, it is likely that races across the Channel will be on the agenda this season.

“It’s been very dry, which isn’t good news for us,” he said. “That said, he’s never out too early so it won’t affect us and it’s got to start raining soon.

“He’s usually out the third week in November and he’ll start off somewhere between two and two and a half miles.

“There are races in France we’ll be looking at. He really seems to suit Auteuil and they are so valuable.

“Obviously there’s the Tingle Creek but I’d prefer to avoid Sprinter Sacre if we could given what happened at Cheltenham and Sandown.”