The big questions as RSA Chase favourite Santini has first run over fences

Ladbrokes John Francome Novices Chase | 3m | 4yo+ | ITV1/ RUK

The highly regarded Santini makes his eagerly anticipated return after a promising hurdling campaign culminated in Grade 1 success at Aintree.

The son of Milan, who is a general 6-1 shot for the RSA Chase, beat stablemate Chef Des Obeaux at this meeting and then defeated subsequent Grade 1 winner Black Op before going on to enjoy top-level success himself when winning the Grand Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at the Grand National meeting.

Between times, Nicky Henderson’s progressive sort then crossed swords with today’s rival Kilbricken Storm in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival, Sent off 11-4 favourite that day, he could only finish third behind Colin Tizzard’s shock 33-1 winner but it could be a different story here.

Watch Santini win the Sefton Novices' Hurdle at Aintree

Although he has yet to jump a fence in public, Santini has schooled well at home and enjoyed a racecourse gallop at the venue only last week.

Henderson said: "All has gone well with Santini. We managed to get on to the grass on Thursday for the first time. He jumped some fences on the grass, and it really lit the spark in him."

Could Tizzard win it for a fourth time?

Tizzard is out to land the prestigious novice event for a remarkable fourth straight year with Kilbricken Storm, who is aiming to emulate his illustrious stablemates Native River, Thistlecrack and Elegant Escape.

The son of Oscar came into his own over hurdles last spring when causing a 33-1 upset in the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival and showed that was no fluke when subsequently finishing a close third in the Grade 1 Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle at Punchestown behind Next Destination.

Kilbricken Storm: Caused a shock when a 33-1 winner of the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival last seasonCredit: Edward Whitaker

Kilbricken Storm showed that today's trip was his forte that day but almost came unstuck on his chasing debut at Ffos Las last month when he narrowly scraped home from 40-1 chance Cobolobo.

The seven-year-old put in a workmanlike first round of jumping over fences that day but may not have been helped by the desperate heavy conditions which led to two fences being omitted.

Tizzard said: "His hurdles form the second half of last season was brilliant. He was a bit novicey at Ffos Las and nearly got beaten but he's tightened up for it and this is his next step. There are some good horses in there but he beat most of them over hurdles so I'm expecting a big run."

Rocky facing ground KO?

Kim Bailey won this with the classy Harry Topper in 2012 and is back with the equally progressive Rocky's Treasure who is unbeaten in his three outings over fences.

The seven-year-old has already surpassed his hurdling mark by 13lb in racking up easy victories at Kelso, Fakenham and Wetherby on good ground.

Last time out Rocky's Treasure was most impressive when slamming Poetic Rhythm by 24 lengths at Wetherby where he was helped with by impressive round of jumping.

Bailey said: "Rocky's Treasure has won his three races on fast ground and this looks as if it will be a whole different ball game for him on soft which he doesn't like.

"We'll have a look at the ground and if he runs he would go there with a leading chance. If he goes and it doesn't come off he's got all winter to get over it as we'll put him away until the spring."

Is 15-day turnaround too soon?

Ben Pauling was forced to scratch Willoughby Court from Friday's card but is hoping for better luck with Le Breuil, who tries again just 15 days after his narrow defeat at Cheltenham.

The three-time winning hurdler had some decent types behind him when going down by a neck to Count Meribel over two and a half miles that day.

The six-year-old had previously justified cramped odds on his chasing bow at Huntingdon and Pauling is expecting the step up to three miles to exact further improvement.

He said: "Le Breuil is a remarkable horse in that he comes out of every race in better shape than he went into it. Make no mistake, it's a tough race but the track and new trip of three miles should suit him down to the ground."

Graeme McPherson, trainer of Skipthecuddles, said: "He's a lazy horse who was perked up by the fitting of cheekpieces last season and he has been schooling well at home for his first go over fences. The more rain the better for him as his family are real staying chasers."

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