Petit Robin had his Queen Mother Champion Chase odds halved by Sky Bet (12/1 from 25s) after making a winning seasonal reappearance in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton on Sunday.

Second in the corresponding Grade 2 event 12-months ago, he went one better by taking the notable scalp of old rival Well Chief whose last fence blunder allowed the well backed 5/2 favourite to get back up on the run-in.

The runner-up had finished one place in front of Petit Robin in last season’s Queen Mother when taking minor honours behind Master Minded and is a 12/1 chance with Sky Bet to recapture former glories at the Festival in March.

The near four length victory continued the hot streak of Nicky Henderson and Barry Geraghty who were completing a treble on the card, but the in-form trainer has not ruled out an alternative Festival target in the Ryanair Chase for his improving six-year-old.

Matt Doyle of Sky Bet said: ‘He paid the price for trying to match strides with Master Minded last season from three out in the Queen Mother and a second crack at the reigning champion may prove too good to resist.’

Henderson’s treble was initiated by Riverside Theatre, who was cut from 14/1 into 10s for the Arkle by Sky Bet following his victory in the Wayward Lad Grade 2 novices’ chase.

Alan King’s well touted Mille Chief made amends for being brought down on his hurdling debut by taking the opening juvenile hurdle on the card and is unchanged at 12/1 for the Triumph Hurdle with Sky Bet.