Tag Archive for: Sandown

Zoffany Bay giving Fahey chance of Imperial Cup defence

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Peter Fahey will seek back-to-back victories in the Betfair Imperial Cup with Zoffany Bay, who is one of 30 entries for the Sandown handicap.

The nine-year-old was off the track for almost two years before making an eyecatching debut for the Monasterevin-based handler at Ascot last month and Fahey believes his charge will have no issue dropping back to the minimum distance on Saturday afternoon – especially if the forecast rain brings his stamina into play.

The Irishman saddled Surprise Package to score at 20-1 in the race 12 months ago, but bookmakers are taking no chances this time around with Zoffany Bay priced up as the 8-1 second-favourite by Betfair.

“We were thrilled with the way he ran at Ascot, he ran a cracker in what was his first run after nearly two years off,” said Fahey.

“Sandown is probably a stiffer track than Ascot and I can’t see dropping back to two miles being a problem for him.

“It would be a dream to go over and win it again. It was kind of the plan with this horse that if we had a good run and a bit of luck we would head over to Sandown. Please God the weather looks set to change and we get a bit of rain which would be a help for us.

“He’s in good form. He did a little bit of work at Navan racecourse on Sunday morning and he seems fresh and well, so it is all systems go to head on over.

Last year Surprise Package followed up his winning exploits at the Esher venue by finishing a respectable sixth in the County Hurdle, but Fahey does not envisage Zoffany Bay following suit and taking up his engagement in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle.

He continued: “I think it’s highly unlikely at the moment (run at Cheltenham) because there is a couple of nice pots in Ireland for him as well.

“But we won’t rule anything in or out and will see how we get on Saturday then make a plan with the lads at Pimlico (owners) what we are going to do with him.”

Trainer Gary Moore looks to have a strong hand in the Betfair Imperial Cup
Trainer Gary Moore looks to have a strong hand in the Betfair Imperial Cup (Nigel French/PA)

Gary Moore’s Givega is the sponsor’s current 7-1 favourite on the back of his course-and-distance success last time, while the Lower Beeding handler could also be represented by Authorised Speed who has not been seen since a disappointing favourite over the track and trip in the Tolworth Hurdle.

Another Sandown scorer to note among the list of possibles is Jamie Snowden’s Hardy Du Seuil, while Soul Icon has won his last five and attempts to defy a 10lb rise for Kieran Burke.

Charlie Longston’s Paramount and Dan Skelton’s Playful Saint are others to arrive on the back of a victory, with Skelton also represented in the entries by Knickerbockerglory and one-time hot juvenile prospect In This World who could return from 491 days off the track.

Sceau Royal sticking to hurdles at either Aintree or Sandown

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The ever-popular Sceau Royal is set to stay over hurdles, with connections mulling over a run at either Aintree or Sandown before the end of the season.

The Alan King-trained 11-year-old was at his enthusiastic best in the autumn, winning a Kempton Listed hurdle for the second season in a row before finishing a good second to Knappers Hill in the Grade Two Elite Hurdle at Wincanton.

Although struggling to make his mark in both Kempton’s Christmas Hurdle and when switched to fences at the Dublin Racing Festival, he showed his old zest when encountering spring ground in Fontwell’s National Spirit Hurdle recently – finishing just over a length behind the winner Brewin’upastorm.

Now he is set for one further appearance before the current campaign draws to a close – and having proven he now stays further than the bare two miles the Aintree Hurdle on April 13 or the bet365 Select Hurdle on the final day of the season (April 29) are possible options.

“He’s quite remarkable, isn’t he – to be 11 and still running to that level,” said King.

“We were delighted with the run and he was giving the winner 6lb as well at Fontwell.

Trainer Alan King hopes Sceau Royal sticks around at Barbury Castle for a little longer
Trainer Alan King hopes Sceau Royal sticks around at Barbury Castle for a little longer (David Davies/PA)

“We will freshen him up and regroup and he will either go to Aintree or Sandown. I think we will probably stay down the hurdles route with him now, he seems a little bit happier over hurdles these days.

“He proved at Fontwell he gets two and a half these days and he’s just a pleasure to train.”

A winner of 17 of his 50 career appearances, Sceau Royal is already well into the twilight of his career, with King appreciating a conversation will soon be had about his future. However, he is hopeful his admirable stable stalwart will stick around at Barbury Castle for a little while longer.

He added: “He will have one more run this season and I’m sure we will have a chat, but I very much hope we get him back for another year because he’s loving his training and he will tell us when he’s had enough.”

Givega expected to get Imperial Cup call up

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Givega is poised to return to Sandown for a crack at the Betfair Imperial Cup having shown his true colours when bouncing back to his best at the Esher venue recently.

Gary Moore’s seven-year-old, who is out of a sister to the great six-time Cheltenham Festival winner Quevega, created a real buzz when winning his first two hurdling outings in the manner of a top-class operator and by a combined 18 lengths.

However, he blotted his copybook when sent off favourite, upped in both trip and grade, for the Grade Two Leamington Novices’ Hurdle at Warwick in January and was left with somewhat of a point to prove.

Returned to calmer waters at Sandown earlier this month, Givega was back on form as he made all in the hands of Niall Houlihan while giving 9lb and a seven-and-a-half-length beating to runner-up Immortal.

Raised 4lb to a mark of 133 for that victory – and with connections keen to swerve the Cheltenham Festival – Moore is now eyeing a tilt at the prestigious £100,000 handicap hurdle on March 11 that precedes the Prestbury Park showpiece the following week.

“He’s a horse I like a lot, he’s a good horse,” said Moore.

“I was really happy with him (at Sandown). He got a fairly soft lead in front and jumped well, he’s a chaser in the making. I know he’s already seven years old, but he’s next year’s horse really and he will stay further than two miles, he will definitely get further.

“He definitely won’t go to Cheltenham. The plan is to go back to Sandown for the Imperial Cup.

“It’s a shame he went up (in the handicap) for the other day, but if he hadn’t have gone up, he might not have got in I suppose.”

Delight for Snowden, as You Wear It Well powers home at Sandown

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You Wear It Well will head to Cheltenham after showing her class in the Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Jane Seymour Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown.

The Jamie Snowden-trained six-year-old advertised her potential with a pair of clear-cut victories in novice contests in the early stages of the season – and looked the one to beat in this Grade Two contest having chased home Paul Nicholls’ highly-regarded Ballymore favourite Hermes Allen in the Challow Hurdle on New Year’s Eve, a race that has worked out tremendously well.

Sent off the 5-4 favourite in the hands of Gavin Sheehan, the daughter of Midnight Legend quickly hit the front to lead the field of five in the early stages.

Halfway down the back Bridget Andrews made an enterprising move on one of the original backmarkers, She’s A Saint, by circling the field and then going on from You Wear It Well as the runners span the turn for home.

However, Sheehan was in no rush to wrestle back the advantage and simply allowed his mount to draw level with Dan Skelton’s 15-2 chance at the second-last before kicking clear to record a seven-and-a-half length success in the closing stages, with She’s A Saint gamely plugging on for the silver medal.

The winner holds entries in both the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle and Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at Prestbury Park next month, but her handler refused to be drawn on which of her possible engagements would be taken.

He said: “We didn’t really have a plan going out there to be honest, it was a five-horse race and all five have gone on in the past, so I said to Gavin to do what he wanted as he knows her so well.

“I think she was kind of dossing to be honest and when Bridget came past it probably just helped her out a little bit. She looked really good. I look forward to the argument with Chips! (Sir Chips Keswick, owner).”

Meanwhile, Sheehan was keen to evidence the case for the the mares’ only option – with Betfair going 10-1 from 16s for the shorter of the two races.

He explained: “On paper there was going to be lots of speed and that was my plan, to cover her up and just kind of come through.

“She’s one of those who could stay three miles, but I think she can also run over two. I think the mares’ race at Cheltenham would suit. It’s run on the track which is more for stayers, so even though it’s over two miles and no matter what at Cheltenham you’re going to be flat out – so you need to stay.”

You Wear It Well the latest flying the flag for red-hot Challow form

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You Wear It Well will hunt for a first Graded-race victory in the Weatherbys-sponsored Jane Seymour Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown on Thursday.

The Jamie Snowden-trained six-year-old, who has good bumper form to her name, was last seen finishing second to Hermes Allen in the Grade One Challow Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury in late December.

Prior to that she was the winner of two novice hurdles in the autumn, making a successful debut over obstacles with a seven-length success at Worcester and then trouncing nine rivals to triumph by 22 lengths at Hexham.

Since Newbury her stock has risen due to the resulting form of the race, with four Challow contenders going on to the win on their next start.

Among them is Snowden’s own Passing Well, fourth in the race and a good winner at Newcastle since, and Fergal O’Brien’s subsequent Sidney Banks victor Marble Sands.

Snowden reports his mare to be in good form ahead of her next target, a Grade Two event which will pave the way to one of a handful of Cheltenham Festival options over varying trips.

He said: “She’s in great order. She’s been pretty progressive all the way through the season, winning her two novice hurdles.

“She ran a cracker when stepped up in trip when second behind Hermes Allen in the Challow at Newbury.

“This looked the obvious step for her, going forward, and she’s in a couple of races at the Festival but we’ll cross this bridge first and see how we go.

“She’s not devoid of speed, but equally there is a lot of stamina in the pedigree so hopefully she’s one of those horses that can be equally effective over any trip.”

Of the Challow form boost he added: “The race has worked out really well, we had the fourth horse, Passing Well, and he’s won since, so has the fifth-placed horse (Marble Sands). ”

Elsewhere in the race there is a sole Irish entrant in Gordon Elliott’s Deeply Superficial, who will be ridden by Davy Russell.

Dan Skelton is set to saddle both She’s A Saint and Vicki Vale, with Touchy Feely, Nicky Henderson’s two-time winning hurdler, completing the field of five.

Chasing Fire has sparked Supreme ambitions for Murphy

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Exciting prospect Chasing Fire is on course to appear next in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

The Olly Murphy-trained six-year-old took his record over timber to a perfect three with victory at Sandown on Saturday, to stay unbeaten in his career to date having also won a bumper and his point-to-point.

Sent off the 4-6 favourite for what was a step up in class in the Virgin Bet Novices’ Hurdle, he handled it with ease to account for market rival Iliko D’Olivate – to whom he was giving 4lb – by six lengths.

“I was chuffed with him, he did really well. He was given a mark of 136 and I’m going to go straight to the Supreme with him, all being well,” said Murphy.

“He’s done everything right and I don’t think we’ve seen the best of him yet.

“He’s on track and we’re looking forward to it.”

Meanwhile, Murphy could step Thunder Rock up in trip for his next outing following his good third to Gerri Colombe in the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase on the same Sandown card.

Having won his first two starts over fences, he lost his unbeaten record to The Real Whacker at Cheltenham on his penultimate run and filled the same spot on his first test in Grade One company.

Thunder Rock, owned by the McNeill family and Ian Dale, had travelled well at the back of the seven-strong field before making stealthy headway approaching the second-last in the two-and-a-half-mile contest, only for Gerri Colombe to find plenty.

In finishing five and a half lengths adrift of Gordon Elliott’s impressive winner, Murphy was more than satisfied with the run.

He could swerve both respective Cheltenham engagements, the Brown Advisory and Turners Novices’ Chases, however.

“I was delighted with him. I thought he was going to win at the second-last, but he just kind of flattened out,” said Murphy.

“I would imagine we will step him up to three miles, which I never thought I’d be saying. I’m not sure where he is going to go, but he might just be less likely, rather than more likely, to go to Cheltenham now.

“Whether we freshen him up and go straight to Aintree for the three-mile race (Mildmay Novices’ Chase) or give him a race in between and go to Cheltenham, there’s still a lot to be discussed with owners and internal race managers.”

Murphy’s string has been in fine form of late and he added: “I built myself up and genuinely thought he’d win on Saturday.

“He has run very well and he was an 11-2 shot. He has probably run to his odds, if you look at it from that point of view.

“We just fell short with him, but he is a good horse and he is going to win a lot of races. He’s rated 149 and he will have another race or two as a novice. He is going to be an exciting horse to go to war with next year.”

Murphy also suggested a return to a flatter track might suit.

He added: “I didn’t think the ground was too bad on the chase track. I think he was as good as he was on the day and I don’t think there was any excuse. He got into a nice rhythm and got a good ride from Adrian Heskin.

Olly Murphy could swerve Cheltenham with Thunder Rock
Olly Murphy could swerve Cheltenham with Thunder Rock (Edward Whitaker/PA)

“At the second-last I thought he was going to take off, but the leader pulled away. He ran very well and I’m very proud of the horse, and he has been a star for the last year and a half.

“Arguably his best runs have been on flat tracks, that’s the only thing I’d say.

“He was very impressive round Wetherby when he beat a horse of Ben Case’s (Cobblers Dream) who won the Lanzarote Hurdle afterwards. He was very impressive at Ayr, he won round Musselburgh, and arguably he might be a better horse on a flat track. I might be completely wrong, though!”

Green Book set to head straight for Pertemps challenge

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Green Book will head straight to the Pertemps Hurdle at Cheltenham after a popular success at Sandown on Saturday.

The six-year-old showed plenty of determination to take the Virgin Bet Heroes Handicap Hurdle under Charlie Deutsch, following up his victory in the extended two miles and seven furlongs race last year.

Trainer Venetia Williams was full of praise for the Authorized gelding, who went on to be a fair fifth in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle last season.

The Kings Caple handler admitted he is not typical of the horses she usually buys, however.

“I haven’t bought many off the Flat in the last few years, but he’s been a superstar,” she said.

“I bought him unseen from the sales. I told my agent, ‘Don’t look at him’, because I thought if he looked at him, he’d say, ‘No, he’s not like a jumper’. So I said, ‘Just buy him. I want him’.

“I liked his breeding, I’d watched all his races and I thought they were under-tripping him in France and thought he was crying out for a trip.”

Green Book, who is out of an Oratorio mare, won just once in 17 races on the Flat, but has been a money-spinner since joining the Herefordshire yard, taking four of his 11 starts over hurdles and finishing runner-up on another two occasions.

He stayed on doggedly up the Sandown hill for the second time in as many years, having looked disinterested through the first part of the race.

Williams added: “The whole way round, he was looking like it was all too much like hard work, but yet he keeps doing it. Just a few strides before the line, he pricked his ears.

“He probably won’t run before the Pertemps at the Festival.”

After a quiet spell, the yard has hit form over the last week, Gemirande brought up an across-the-card brace on Saturday.

Gemirande jumped for fun at Wetherby
Gemirande jumped for fun at Wetherby (Steven Paston/PA)

The seven-year-old produced an impressive round of jumping under Shane Quinlan at Wetherby to take the William Hill Cheltenham Preview At Wetherby Handicap Chase by five and a half lengths.

Williams said: “He is one of the few of ours that I’ve been happy enough to run on goodish ground.

“It wasn’t good ground, but it was goodish. He loved it. He might go to the Greatwood at Newbury in early March.”

Third Time Lucki back to winning ways at Sandown

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Third Time Lucki stayed on nicely under a well-timed ride from Kielan Woods to collar long-time leader Fast Buck in the Virgin Bet Dolos Handicap Chase at Sandown.

The Dan Skelton-trained eight-year-old had won a couple of Grade Two contests in his novice season and had chased home Arkle winner Edwardstone in the Kingmaker at Warwick, yet had a bit to prove after a few lacklustre efforts subsequently.

With conditions ideal and fit from his seasonal bow, Mike and Eileen Newbould’s gelding was content to sit near the rear of the field before making stealthy headway to three out.

He cruised upsides Fast Buck at the last and powered up the hill for a fourth career success over fences.

Skelton said: “It was nice to see him come back. Obviously he did really well as a novice last year and struggled with a high handicap at the start of the season.

“He benefitted from an absolutely outstanding ride today. It was as nice a ride as you’d see. I’m delighted to see the horse get his head back in front.

“The ground was better. It was dead old ground, I would not be calling it lovely, good, spring ground, but it is significantly better than he won on the last twice, which has been a big help to him, no question.”

Third Time Lucki received a quote of 8-1 with Coral for the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival, although Skelton is in two minds.

He said: “He’ll have an entry. I’m not jumping up and down, it’s not the only thing, but he’ll get an entry for sure.”

Charlie Deutsch takes the plaudits after Green Book's victory
Charlie Deutsch takes the plaudits after Green Book’s victory (Steven Paston/PA)

There is not much of Green Book apart from heart, guts and an indelible will to please.

The Venetia Williams-trained 6-1 chance landed the Virgin Bet Heroes Handicap Hurdle for the second year in succession under Charlie Deutsch, pricking his ears after the last as he drew three lengths clear of Call Me Lord.

After his fourth career success over hurdles, the Kings Caple handler said: “I’m absolutely thrilled. He was originally going to run in the Lanzarote and I just thought that might be too much of a speed test, so we thought we’d leave him for the Lingfield three-miler, but that went west (with the meeting abandoned), so we really had to wait for this.

“I’m delighted we did. He is such a remarkable little horse. There’s nothing flashy at all. He is just amazing – he just keeps doing it.”

Chasing Fire remained unbeaten under Aidan Coleman
Chasing Fire remained unbeaten under Aidan Coleman (Steven Paston/PA)

Chasing Fire is a horse with immense promise and remained unbeaten with a third success over hurdles under Aidan Coleman.

The Olly Murphy-trained six-year-old had won a couple of bumpers last season, before two successive 16-length victories in each of his two hurdles contests at Market Rasen.

The Virgin Bet Novices’ Hurdle was a step up in class, one which the 4-6 favourite handled with ease, taking up the running from Iliko D’Olivate two out and drawing readily clear to win by six lengths.

Coral were impressed, cutting him to 14-1 (from 20-1) for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

Murphy said: “I think he is good, but I don’t know how good he is. His main attribute is that he has got the most unbelievable way of doing everything.

“He is the most laid-back horse you will ever set your eyes on. He is in the Supreme and I would (like to have a go at it).

“He would be a 12-1 or 16-1 chance for the Supreme and if I didn’t go there I would be all but favourite for a Grade One at Aintree and that would be the Gold Cup of his novice career. He is going to be a very good chaser next season.

“I’ve had some good two-milers and I’ve been second and third in the race (Supreme). I’ve never had a horse to win a Supreme or be a champion, but he is unbeaten and he does what he has to do.”

Twin Power sparked a double for Paul Nicholls and jockey Adrian Heskin
Twin Power sparked a double for Paul Nicholls and jockey Adrian Heskin (Steven Paston/PA)

Twin Power (9-2) held off odds-on favourite Twin Jets to take the Virgin Bet Novices’ Handicap Hurdle.

The Paul Nicholls-trained winner reversed the form with that rival, who had beaten him by nine lengths at Plumpton, but took advantage of an 8lb pull in the weights to win by a length and a quarter under Adrian Heskin and gain a first win in three tries over hurdles.

Inthewaterside (13-2) completed the Nicholls-Heskin double on the card when following up his Exeter bumper debut success, taking the Virgin Bet Open National Hunt Flat Race by six and a half lengths.

Gerri Colombe stays unbeaten with Scilly Isles victory

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Gerri Colombe produced a gutsy performance to land the Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown.

Gordon Elliott’s Irish raider arrived at the Esher track unbeaten, having won two bumpers, a pair of hurdles and two chases, the last of which came in the Grade One Guinness Faugheen Chase at Limerick over Christmas.

Sent off the 10-11 favourite under Jordan Gainford, the seven-year-old looked to be cruising behind Balco Coastal before taking it up down the back on the final circuit.

However, he got in tight at the last of the Railway fences and briefly lost momentum.

It handed the advantage to Nicky Henderson’s runner and jockey Nico de Boinville kicked for home.

At the Pond Fence, Gerri Colombe still had a bit to do and looked laboured, yet Gainford galvanised him and he responded to his rider’s urging and having gone upsides between the last two fences, a good leap at the last sealed the deal and he strode up the hill to score by a length and three-quarters.

Thunder Rock, who had been patiently ridden at the back of the field throughout much of the two-and-a-half-mile contest, made some late gains to finish third.

“We were delighted. We knew we’d be taking a risk going over two and half miles,” Elliott, who was at Leopardstown, told Racing TV.

“In fairness to the horse, he looked like he was beaten three out, but he stayed galloping really well. It was a good performance, we’re delighted with him.

“We were a bit worried that the ground was not as deep as it usually is, but Jordan went over and walked the track this morning. We knew it wasn’t as soft as ideal, but we knew we had to take our chances, being a Grade One.”

Coral were impressed by the performance and cut Gerri Colombe to 4-1 favourite from 10-1 for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Elliott added: “Before today I was thinking trying to qualify him for the National Hunt Chase. It looks like we are going to be tight for that now, but he looks made for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase doesn’t he? So I would say that’s where we’ll go.”

Owner Brian Acheson said: “He made a little mistake at the last of the Railway fences and he just got a little bit tight, but then Jordan got him back. It is great when you have got a kid like Jordan on as you have huge confidence in the jockey. It is a Grade One and you don’t win them that easily.

“I’d be looking at next season with him and if Gordon doesn’t want to go to Cheltenham I’ve no issue with that. Cheltenham is very hard on novice chasers. Next season he could be a Gold Cup horse.

“This has taken the National Hunt Chase out of the equation and it is the Brown Advisory or nothing. He hasn’t run an awful lot as Gordon had it in his head he could be a Gold Cup horse, but we have to keep him sound.”

Gerri Colombe adds touch of star quality to Scilly Isles

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Gordon Elliott’s decision to split his aces has led to Gerri Colombe sidestepping this weekend’s Dublin Racing Festival in favour of a trip to Sandown for the Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase.

The seven-year-old is unbeaten in six starts thus far, with a point-to-point success followed by two bumper wins, two triumphs in novice hurdles and two victories over fences.

He struck Grade One gold for the first time in the Faugheen Novice Chase at Limerick over the Christmas period, but is set to encounter considerably quicker conditions in Esher this weekend.

“He’s a nice horse and doesn’t do anything too fancy at home, but everything he’s done we’ve obviously been pleased with on track, so we are looking forward to a good weekend,” said Elliott.

Gerri Colombe could quite easily have remained on home soil and lined up in Sunday’s Ladbrokes Novice Chase at Leopardstown, but Elliott has Mighty Potter lined up for that particular top-level prize and he saw little merit in allowing the pair to lock horns.

He added: “There are no soft Grade Ones. Ireland looks fairly competitive, and the race at Sandown looks a good race as well.

“You’ve got Olly Murphy’s horse (Thunder Rock) and the Paul Nicholls horse (Monmiral) in there and you have to respect them, but we are trying to split our horses up as much as anything.”

Thunder Rock has won seven of his 11 starts under rules for Murphy and was particularly impressive in winning his first two outings over fences in novice handicaps at Uttoxeter and Ascot respectively.

Murphy admitted to being disappointed with the Shirocco gelding’s third-placed finish in the Grade Two Dipper Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day and is hoping he can raise his game.

He said: “He’s in very good form. We’re really looking forward to running him as we’ve had this in the back of our minds for a while.

“I’m really looking forward to Saturday and if he gets into a rhythm then hopefully he’ll run very well.

“He just didn’t jump and travel with the same kind of enthusiasm that we saw in his first two starts over fences at Cheltenham last time.

“Whether he got caught out around the track going a good gallop over the extended two and a half miles, I don’t know, but I know that he is better than that run.”

Nicky Henderson relies on Balco Coastal, having decided not to declare Bold Endeavour.

Balco Coastal and Nico de Boinville impressed at Kempton
Balco Coastal and Nico de Boinville impressed at Kempton (John Walton/PA)

The seven-year-old has had two starts over fences and won a novices’ limited handicap over an extended two and a half miles at Kempton on Boxing Day with a degree of ease last time out.

Henderson said: “He was very impressive at Kempton and he’s more like a Grade One horse than the other one is.

“He was very good and was impressive. He deserves his chance in a race like that. We’ll try him and see how we get on.”

Grade One hurdle winner Monmiral was runner-up to Jonbon on his chasing debut at Warwick for champion trainer Paul Nicholls.

He then chased home The Real Whacker at Cheltenham, finishing a head in front of Thunder Rock in third.

“He has come up against two very smart horses in his first two races over fences,” Nicholls said in his Betfair blog.

“He was far from disgraced behind Jonbon at Warwick and then finished second again at Cheltenham to The Real Whacker, who had the run of the race in front.

“We will make plenty of use of Monmiral who is in good shape, jumps fine and will enjoy the stiff track at Sandown. He has a sound chance.”

Ben Pauling is under no illusions of the task facing Bowtogreatness, who is officially rated 135, some 19lb below Gerri Colombe.

Part-owned by former Premier League manager Harry Redknapp, the seven-year-old was beaten a short head on his seasonal bow at Exeter before placing third behind Complete Unknown at Ffos Las last month.

Bowtogreatness and Kielan Woods know they face a stiff task
Bowtogreatness and Kielan Woods know they face a stiff task (Mike Egerton/PA)

Pauling said: “He has got it all to do on ratings, but I have always liked this horse a lot and I’m at the stage of the season where I don’t want to lose his novice status for a pony race.

“So I’d rather he ran well in Graded races than lose his novice status next year. He will be a novice next year and I think hit the heights I fully expect him to do.

“By all means, if he goes and wins one of these, we’ll be delighted.

“Both times this season he’s needed it. The first time he needed it slightly and the second time I ran him quick after we had a lot of snow and he’d missed a lot of work, and he’s just a big, burly horse who takes a lot of getting fit.

“We go there with our eyes wide open, hoping for a nice performance.”