Paul Nicholls is double-handed as he seems to be for back-to-back victories within the bet365 Birthday party Chase at Sandown on Saturday.
Nicholls saddled Greaneteen to land the spoils 365 days in the past and he’s again to shield his crown, with the eight-year-old searching for a 3rd Grade One victory over path and distance having additionally tasted luck within the Tingle Creek on the Esher venue in December.
Harry Cobden takes over from the injured Bryony Frost aboard the eight-times winner with Nicholls constructive of any other daring appearing, regardless of a disappointing effort in Eire remaining time.
He mentioned: “He has a perfect document at Sandown, received this race a 12 months in the past, after which landed the Tingle Creek in taste in December. He’s great and contemporary as he returns to shield his crown. I am more than pleased with Greaneteen who’s in excellent order, has the bottom in his favour and appears to have a stupendous probability of profitable once more.”
The Ditcheat handler additionally runs Rouge Vif, who’s but to make his mark since becoming a member of Nicholls from Harry Whittington remaining summer season, however may just take pleasure in a contemporary wind operation.
“He used to be suffering badly together with his respiring at Kempton in January and turns out a lot happier since we despatched him for a tie ahead operation to place that proper,” Nicholls informed Betfair.
“He had some good shape at this go back and forth previously, is in excellent form now and he did a pleasing piece of labor with Greaneteen on an away day remaining week. It would not wonder me to look him run into a spot.”
Nube Negra marked himself out as a Champion Chase contender when an outstanding six-length winner of the Shloer Chase in November, however hasn’t been noticed since an underwhelming fourth to Greaneteen right here simply sooner than Christmas.
The Wednesday deluge at Prestbury Park dominated him out of the Champion Chase on the remaining minute and he’ll be hoping to give a boost to his positive document contemporary as handler Dan Skelton makes an attempt to get one over on his former boss Nicholls.
Skelton mentioned: “That is the easiest state of affairs for Nube Negra, solar on his again, two miles. I am thrilled to be coming right here and he is in in reality excellent shape.
“It is no gimme, it is a sturdy contest, however I am more than pleased with him.”
Alan King’s Sceau Royal has a 3rd strive on the race and reviews the preferred 10-year-old to be as excellent as ever.
The Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned gelding moved up in go back and forth when a decent 3rd within the Melling Chase at Aintree maximum just lately, however is now backtrack to the gap he is aware of highest.
“He is an important little horse and we will roll the cube at Sandown as soon as once more,” mentioned King.
“The bottom might be positive for him, he is almost definitely only a higher horse going the wrong way spherical, however he has received spherical Sandown sooner than. We’re going to let him take his probability and optimistically he runs a pleasing race sooner than his summer season ruin.”
The sphere is done through Jonjo O’Neill’s Sky Pirate, who’s attempted in a first-time cheekpieces and tongue-tie mixture following his efforts in handicap corporate at each the Cheltenham Competition and Aintree
