Former Arkle winner Well Chief has been ruled out for the season.

David Pipe's classy eight-year-old was a leading fancy for the Queen Mother Champion Chase but is reported to have heat in a leg.

The popular chestnut was also pencilled in to make his seasonal debut in the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown next Saturday.

Pipe said: "He worked on Saturday and the head lad wasn't happy so we had a look at him on Saturday evening.

"The vet confirmed the problem this morning so he's out for the season.

"He's sound, but it's the start of something so you have to stop."

Well Chief suffered a similar injury after defeating Azertyuiop in the Celebration Chase at Sandown in April 2005 and endured a 22-month spell on sidelines.

He returned to action with a clinical triumph in the Game Spirit last season but fell after two fences in the Champion Chase, for which he was the white-hot even-money favourite.

Well Chief was as low as 6-1 to atone for that jumping error in next year's renewal of the two-mile showpiece.

A winner of seven Graded races, including the Arkle three years ago, Pipe's heavyweight was last seen finishing third to Monet's Garden in the Melling Chase in April.

(reopens) Blue Square now make last year's Champion Chase hero Voy Por Ustedes the 11-4 market leader from 4-1 to retain his title.

Twist Magic is the 4-1 second-favourite, while My Way De Solzen has been cut to 8-1 from 10s.

Trainer Paul Nicholls said of Twist Magic: "He is an intended runner on Saturday unless it is absolutely bottomless, but I have not seen the forecast.

"This race has been the target all along. He worked yesterday and I was very pleased with him."

Queen Mother Champion Chase, Blue Square bet: 11-4 Voy Por Ustedes, 4-1 Twist Magic, 8-1 My Way De Solzen, 14-1 Dempsey, 16-1 Fair Along, Nickname, Mansony, Schindlers Hunt, Newmill, 20-1 bar.

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