All you need to know as Fox Norton bids to capitalise on golden chance

2.55 Sandown
Betfair Tingle Creek Chase (Grade 1) | 4yo+ | 1m7½f | ITV4/RUK

No Douvan, no Altior and not even Special Tiara surely leaves the way clear for Fox Norton to extend his winning sequence to four in a Tingle Creek Chase somewhat different from its once anticipated line-up.

Since beaten a head by Special Tiara in the Champion Chase, Fox Norton has landed the Melling Chase, Punchestown's Champion Chase, in which he accounted for Un De Sceaux, and the Shloer Chase.

With his only other defeat under Colin Tizzard coming at the hands of Altior at Newbury in February, Fox Norton brings all the best form lines into this still special race and Robbie Power, who rode him to victories at Aintree and Punchestown, is back on him with Bryan Cooper still out injured.

As Douvan was set to be returning from an injury, some will have fancied Fox Norton anyway and trainer Colin Tizzard said on Friday: "All his form says he is the best horse and he is in bloody good form.

"Bryan Cooper hasn't ridden for nearly a fortnight since he got injured and this is a big race, so to do the horse justice we have put Robbie back on. Joe [Tizzard] jumped the horse this morning and he was bloody awesome."

Pros After Altior the best 2m chaser in Britain who has won his last three
Cons The best of his form has been in the spring

Nicholls' great white hope

Paul Nicholls has won the Tingle Creek a record nine times, including with two of his stable giants Kauto Star and Master Minded.

In his quest to find an heir to those stable stars, plus Big Buck's and Denman, Politologue has become his great white hope.

A winner three times last season who was fourth in the JLT Novices' Chase, he would have ended the campaign with a Grade 1 victory but for stumbling and falling after the last at Aintree, presenting victory to stablemate San Benedeto. He put the record straight when beating the same horse in the Haldon Gold Cup.

"This is different now it has cut up a bit," said Nicholls. "Fox Norton is the one to beat but if Politologue had won on good ground at Aintree that would have been good form.

"He won very well at Exeter and has improved since that run. It's all about whether he remains an improver. I've always thought the track would suit him and I'm looking forward to this.

"San Benedeto wouldn't be far away. He loves it round there on better ground. He could run into a place."

Pros Laid out for this by a trainer who's won the race nine times
Cons Not yet proven at very highest level

Politologue: has reportedly improved since his Haldon Gold Cup winCredit: Edward Whitaker

Excuse Mad's last run

Gary Moore predicts a much better showing from Ar Mad, who could never dominate when pulled up in the Haldon Gold Cup on his first start in nearly a year.

The horse finished a close-up fourth behind Un De Sceaux 12 months ago, a repeat of which ought to put him in the shake-up.

"I wasn't really satisfied with his run at Exeter but a lot of things came out of that which could excuse the run," said Moore.

"I hope you'll see a whole different horse tomorrow. He ran very well last year in the race. It's going to be tough but it's no tougher than last year."

Ar Mad: finished fourth in last year's Tingle CreekCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Charbel won't disgrace himself

Charbel was the horse who was giving Altior a race until exiting two out in the Racing Post Arkle Trophy.

He was due to contest the Peterborough Chase, but better ground and the absence of Douvan, has prompted a switch.

Trainer Kim Bailey said: "We’re putting cheekpieces on for the first time and he won’t disgrace himself."

No outsider on the figures

Sir Valentino brings plenty of experience and a high rating to the race even if dismissed by bookmakers.

Trainer Tom George said: "He's the second highest-rated horse in there and the outsider so somebody has got it wrong, either the betting or the handicapper.

"He was placed in the Champion Chase, he ran Special Tiara to half a length at Kempton giving him weight and he's probably improved. He ran well in this last year when not beaten far."

Double-header

Racegoers at Sandown will be able to enjoy the full Becher Chase card from Aintree, with all the races and commentary from the Merseyside track played around the course as part of a 'Double-Header' initiative.

This will be reciprocated at Aintree, where the full Tingle Creek card will be shown. All 14 races will appear in the racecard at both racecourses.