Key questions as Torpillo bids to build on impressive chase debut in Henry VIII

1.50 Sandown
Read Road To Cheltenham At racingtv.com Henry VIII Novices' Chase | Grade 1 | 1m7½f | ITV4/RTV

Was Torpillo's chase debut the real deal?

Altior lifted this prize three years ago and it is a race with a long history for producing young chasers who go on to land valuable handicaps or Graded races.

Paul Nicholls is seeking an eighth success in the race with Grand Sancy he won it 12 months ago with Dynamite Dollars – but the four-year-old Torpillo, unbeaten at Sandown in two starts over hurdles, looks a worthy favourite in receipt of a 6lb weight-for-age allowance from all six rivals.

Torpillo, an impressive winner of a Class 2 handicap hurdle at Chepstow in October, made a sparkling transition to fences at Warwick last month when downing the talented Mister Fisher by three lengths, with subsequent effortless Plumpton scorer Lisp in third.

That could turn out to prove red-hot form, and if Torpillo jumps as well as he did that afternoon then racegoers will be in for a real treat ahead of the more-experienced speedsters gracing the Tingle Creek.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Torpillo, said: "It's a big ask as it's a hard old race, but he didn't do anything wrong last time.

"He was smashing that day and he jumped beautifully. The weight allowance can't do him any harm."

Is Nube Negra going to prove a better chaser than hurdler?

Nube Negra has really looked the part over fences so far, winning lesser races at Warwick and Fakenham in style.

He gives the distinct impression he will prove a better chaser than hurdler and the five-year-old already boasts some solid form in that latter discipline, including a third to Veneer Of Charm in the 2018 Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Nube Negra (right): has been impressive in two starts over fences this seasonCredit: Mark Cranham

Trainer Dan Skelton said: "Nube Negra was very good first time up at Warwick, and the plan has been to keep him fresh for this race."

Can Summerville Boy build on Uttoxeter win?

Last season proved to be one to forget for Summerville Boy, but the 2018 Supreme Novices' Hurdle hero returned to winning form on chase debut at Uttoxeter last month.

The dual Grade 1 winner was firmly on top at the finish when beating First Flow by four lengths, and that gives him plenty to build on.

Trainer Tom George believes Summerville Boy has improved significantly since Uttoxeter, and expects a bold show.

"I'm very happy with him. He has come on a lot since his first run," George said. "It's very competitive, but he's done plenty of schooling and won two Grade 1s over hurdles, including one at Sandown.

"He's back to where we were with him a couple of seasons ago, and I'm going there very hopeful."

What they say

Evan Williams, trainer of Esprit Du Large
It’s a huge step up in class, but I like the horse.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Grand Sancy
I am looking forward to running him over fences. On his best form he must have a good chance.

Ruth Jefferson, trainer of Return Ticket
It’s a hot race. He got an injury last year which put him out for three months. I think he’s quite a nice horse, and it will be interesting to see how he gets on in this company. He needed his first run of the season at Wetherby, and the drop back to two miles shouldn’t be a problem.

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