Politologue has great chance of reversing Defi form in Tingle Creek - Hales

Owner John Hales believes Politologue has a great chance of reversing the form with his Shloer Chase conqueror Defi Du Seuil and landing a second Betfair Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown on Saturday.

Defi Du Seuil defeated the Paul Nicholls-trained grey by a length and a quarter at Cheltenham last month, on 3lb better terms, but Hales is hopeful his pride and joy can turn the tables in the race he lifted two years ago when beating Fox Norton by half a length.

Tingle Creek card

The eight-year-old is reported to have been trained to peak for his latest bid in a contest which is shaping up into potentially one of the most exciting races of the season with Un De Sceaux, Sceau Royal, Janika and Waiting Patiently all also confirmed for the £150,000 Grade 1.

“He’s a great jumper, and has been trained for this race,” Hales said. “He won it two years ago, and always gives 100 per cent; that’s the only way he knows. I think he’s got a great chance at Sandown. We know he’ll give his best, and Harry Cobden gets on very well with him.”

Paul Nicholls stable tour

The dual Grade 1 winner will also take on 2016 hero Un De Sceaux and Janika, winner of the Grade 2 Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter.

Sceau Royal, who finished one place behind Politologue when third in last season’s Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham, is also likely to be in the line-up.

Janika: winner of the Haldon Gold Cup last timeCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Anthony Bromley, racing manager to Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, who own Sceau Royal and Janika, said: “As of this morning – and things can change – the thinking is that Janika and Sceau Royal will run in the Tingle Creek.

“That’s the thinking, but things can always change closer to decs time.”

Munir and Souede also own Torpillo, current favourite for the Grade 1 Read Road To Cheltenham at racingtv.com Henry VIII Novices’ Chase.

The Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained four-year-old made an impressive start to his chasing career when beating Mister Fisher by three lengths at Warwick last month, with subsequent Plumpton scorer Lisp in third.

Bromley said: “Torpillo is on schedule to run in the Henry VIII. It’s an exciting weekend, and we’re looking forward to it.”

Dan Skelton has three Henry VIII entries – Nube Negra, Maire Banrigh and Beakstown. Nube Negra was well backed on Wednesday, and is now a general 11-4 second-favourite behind Torpillo.

Maire Banrigh unbeaten in two starts over fences could wait for a race at Warwick next Thursday, and her owner Hales added: “I think Dan prefers to run Maire Banrigh at Warwick next week. She’s electric at her fences; she’s very exciting. She’s bred to be a three-miler, but has the speed to match.”

However, Hales is likely to have another representative at Sandown in the form of the Skelton-trained four-year-old Protektorat who goes for the Listed Jumeirah Hotels And Resorts December Handicap Hurdle.

Hales said: “I own him in partnership with my daughter Lisa, Sir Alex Ferguson and Ged Mason. We were pleased with his run at Sandown last month. He’s a promising horse.”

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