Consistent Politologue to head to Sandown again for Tingle Creek repeat bid

What a difference a year makes. This time 12 months ago there was scarcely a mention of the Cheltenham Festival when plans were outlined for the 80-odd horses paraded on Paul Nicholls' owners' day.

However, big-race plans came thick and fast on Sunday, leaving the assembled throng scrambling for their notebooks.

The consistent Politologue will attempt to repeat his 2017 Tingle Creek Chase victory and Nicholls said: “He's just come back from a wind op. His breathing has definitely been an issue on occasions, so we got it sorted this summer.

"He’ll probably come back in the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham in November. For whatever reason he hasn't always run up to his best there but I was immensely proud of his effort in the Champion Chase last season when he was second to Altior.”

Politologue's owner John Hales was absent from the open day yesterday, having suffered a stroke on Tuesday. Nicholls said: "I spoke to him on Saturday and he seems much brighter, so I hope he's back with us soon."

Black Corton put up another career-best performance when making a gallant attempt to defy top weight in the Galway Plate. He has been runner-up five times in his last eight starts and his trainer explained: “That’s going to happen with a chaser like him who is around 12lb shy of top class – these sort of horses aren’t easy to place.

Black Corton: could be aimed at the Charlie Hall ChaseCredit: Edward Whitaker

"I suspect he’ll go back to Wetherby for the Charlie Hall, in which he finished second last year. His last two runs suggest he’s improving.”

Dolos was another to put up a career best last time, when winning a valuable chase at Kempton in May. He is pencilled in for the Haldon Gold Cup, which could also come into consideration for the much-improved Capeland.

“Despite a busy time of it last season, there may be more to come from him," said his trainer. "There’s also a handicap chase at Ascot we’ll look at. He needs a fast-run race, so handicaps should suit.”

Present Man will attempt to become the first three-time winner of the Badger Ales Trophy, and Nicholls said: “He’ll be 4lb higher than last year but seems to come alive at Wincanton and is mustard there.

"It would be amazing if he could win it again for Mark and Tessa Woodhouse, whose firm sponsors the race.”

Bryony Frost and Present Man clear the last to win last year's Badger Ales TrophyCredit: Getty Images / Alan Crowhurst

Another possible contender for the race is Give Me A Copper. Highly rated this time last year, the lightly raced nine-year-old disappointed at times last season but Nicholls warned against giving up on him, and said: “There’s still a decent staying handicap chase to be won with him. He possibly wants a flat track.”

Brio Conti is being targeted at the BetVictor Gold Cup. His trainer said: “He was one from one over fences before suffering a tendon injury nearly two years ago, but he came back as good as ever over hurdles, running a really good fourth in the Coral Cup. He’s hard to get fit, so providing I can get a run into him beforehand I’d like to take him for the BetVictor in November."

The JP McManus-owned Le Prezien, who is back on a winning mark, Brelan D'As, who goes particularly well for Harry Cobden, and the improving Kapcorse are all more than capable on their day and should pop up in a decent handicap.

Magic Saint is also decent at his best, despite not quite producing the performances his trainer expected last season.

“He was troubled by his breathing so has been operated on over the summer," said Nicholls. "That should help him to relax better, so I hope there’s a lot more to come.”

Romain De Senam is on a break but has big targets later on. “He’ll return for what I still call the Racing Post Chase at Kempton in February, then he'll be trained for the Grand National," said Nicholls. "He wants good ground and a flat track, so Aintree might be ideal.”

Romain De Senam takes off at Taunton earlier this yearCredit: Edward Whitaker

Aintree will once again be on the agenda for Warriors Tale, who will try to repeat last season’s win in the Grand Sefton in December.

Adrien Du Pont is quite hard to predict as he wants holding up and therefore needs luck in running, but his trainer hopes there is a decent staying handicap in him if he can learn to relax a bit more.

Tactics are equally important for Secret Investor, who showed improvement over fences when positively ridden. He could be off to Down Royal for the Grade 2 Skymas Chase in November.

Truckers Lodge has had only one run over fences, when runner-up at Newton Abbot in May, but will be targeted at the Welsh Grand National.

Nicholls said: “He’ll stay as far as you want him to, loves Chepstow and loves the mud, so the Welsh National could be ideal. We need to get two more runs over fences into him to qualify for the race."

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