Can Santini shine? Key questions and trainer views for the RSA Chase

2.10 Cheltenham
RSA Insurance Novices' Chase (Grade 1)| 5yo+ | 3m½f | ITV/RTV

Can Santini overcome troubled preparation?

It has been a Hokey Cokey ten days for Santini, whose participation has been in doubt since he pulled a shoe off when completing his festival preparations at Newbury a week last Sunday.

Foot problems since that mishap have seen him flirting between 'in and out' but, having seen him school well on Tuesday, champion trainer Nicky Henderson was keen to run.

"I'm hopeful Santini will be able to run but he'll tell us," said Henderson. "He jumped five fences this morning and you won't see a horse jump better. It was great to watch and I'd be very keen to run him.

"The race is stacked full of dangers and the ground might be a bit soft for him, but we know he goes on the track and he really is 100 per cent [in his form]."

Third in the Albert Bartlett at this meeting last year, Santini signed off last season with Grade 1 success over hurdles at Aintree, but his size and presence always pointed towards a career over fences.

Frustratingly for connections, he missed an intended prep run in the Reynoldstown at Ascot last month when caught up in the tightening of flu vaccination rules, which is why he headed to Newbury for that ultimately eventful schooling session.

Henderson is also represented by On The Blind Side, a leading hope for last year’s Ballymore Novices' Hurdle only to be ruled out with a late injury.

Initially disappointing on his chasing debut at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day, he looked more assured when winning at Kempton last time and impressed when partnering Santini at Newbury recently.

Henderson added: "On The Blind Side went very well indeed with Santini in their Newbury gallop. I've put cheekpieces on him because he's a bit of a cold starter and can't afford to be doing that here."

Will Topofthegame frank Kempton form?

Topofthegame finished one place in front of Santini at Kempton in December and last year’s Coral Cup runner-up looks likely to play a big part for trainer Paul Nicholls.

The form of the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices' Chase was given a strong boost when winner La Bague Au Roi followed up at the highest level in Ireland and, in her absence, Topofthegame’s form is among the strongest on show.

"He ran a bit babyish and a bit keen at Kempton but it’s strong form," said Nicholls. "He ran well in the Coral Cup and has won over three miles in the mud, so I’m hopeful he’s got a nice chance.

"I think he’s brilliant fresh and the Reynoldstown is close enough to this race, so it made sense to wait – it doesn’t bother me with a horse like this."

Can Delta Work strike at festival again?

As a festival winner unbeaten over fences, it is not hard to see why Delta Work heads the market for a race renowned for producing future Cheltenham Gold Cup stars.

Last year’s Pertemps Final winner has taken his form to an even higher level this over fences, having a perfect three-from-three record, including two Grade 1 successes.

His victory over the highly promising Le Richebourg in the Drinmore Novice Chase looks the key piece of form from Ireland and he comes into this a fresh horse.

Trainer Gordon Elliott said: "He never does more than he has to. He beat Niven and Ben Dundee at Down Royal by the same distance he beat Le Richebourg – that's him in a nutshell.

"We decided to sidestep the Dublin Racing Festival and I think it was the right move. I've been happy with him in the lead-up to the race and everything's gone according to plan."

SEVEN THE MAGIC NUMBER
Eight of the last ten winners of the RSA Chase were aged seven, while nine winners over the past decade had already had at least three races over fences.

What they say

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Count Meribel
I’d have liked to have run before now but he had sore shins after his last race and we’ve taken our time. I was disappointed with his jumping at Ascot but he was probably feeling his shins and I expect a better run.

Count Meribel (red cap): had sore shins after his last race and we’ve taken our time, said trainer Nigel Twiston-DaviesCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Rebecca Curtis, trainer of Drovers Lane
We’ve cauterised his palate since his last run but it was nothing major and he hadn’t shown anything in his races. The layoff doesn’t concern me because he was kept on the go all summer and we wanted to come in fresh. The rain is a slight worry but he’s a lot stronger now and I’d expect him to run well.

Joe Tizzard, assistant to Colin Tizzard, trainer of Mister Malarky and Drinks Interval
Mister Malarky has been improving all season and his best run was at Ascot last time, when he won the Reynoldstown. He needs to improve again but conditions should be fine and he has plenty of stamina – we nearly ran him in the National Hunt Chase. Drinks Interval did her winning in the summer when she bullied inferior rivals and has a bit to find.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Mortal
He has form on soft ground and seems to be in good shape. We're happy to give it a go.

Stuart Edmunds, trainer of Now McGinty
Every drop of rain will help him and I’ve said all along the softer the ground, the grander the ambitions, so we’ve gone fairly grand! Tom O’Brien gets on particularly well with him and he’ll give it a good go.

Tom George, trainer of The Worlds End
Kempton didn't work for him but I always feared that might be the case. He's a high-class horse and a course winner.

Spotlight verdict

This may well go to Topofthegame, a fine second in the Coral Cup over hurdles on this card last year whose form in novice chases at Exeter (needs upgrading after he lost a lot of ground at the start) and Kempton gives him strong claims. He was ahead of Santini in that Grade 1 Kempton contest and, perhaps significantly, has not had the hiccups in his preparation that Nicky Henderson's novice had recently. Santini is nonetheless next best, with his stablemate On The Blind Side promising to be suited by this race and looking best of the rest. Dual Irish Grade 1 novice winner Delta Work has to be respected too, although it doesn't seem to be a strong crop of staying novices in his home country this season.
Mel Cullinan

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