Nicky Henderson cannot split his three chasers in the Summer Cup

bet365 Summer Cup (Listed) | 3m2f, 5yo+ | Sky

Nicky Henderson is clearly going all out to win the richest prize of the summer jumps season.

He has had only two runners in this race in the last decade, with Bear's Affair doing the better of the pair when finishing third in 2014.

However, the former champion trainer is responsible for three of the 17 chasers lining up for the £70,000 contest on Sunday and each of them ought to be in shape as they have already run in 2019.

Brave Eagle made it three from four over fences when winning at Haydock last month and Dragon D'Estruval was third in the Perth Gold Cup, while Monbeg Legend fell at the eighth fence here five weeks ago.

"I wouldn't want to split them, they've all got realistic chances," Henderson said. "There aren't very many races for them at this time of year and we've kept them all for it.

"Brave Eagle was very good at Haydock and he'll enjoy the trip. Dragon D'Estruval was having his first run over fences in Britain at Perth and ran a very good race, although I hope the ground doesn't get too quick for him. Monbeg Legend fell last time, which was annoying, but he's in great form."

Skelton aiming for back-to-back wins

Dan Skelton is always a trainer to fear during the summer months and he won this last year with Virgilio, 12 months after his Shelford finished second in the race.

He bids to land the prize again with unexposed chasers Notwhatiam, a dual Uttoxeter hurdles winner who won a beginners' chase at Hexham last month, and Blairs Cove, whose recent Stratford conqueror Western Miller has hinted at the value of the form by bolting up off a 7lb higher mark at Southwell.

Skelton said: "They're not really well-in but they're players. I've had this race in mind for Blairs Cove for ages. He's ready for this trip. Notwhatiam has been running all right in novice chases, just bumping into one."

Notwhatiam: one of two runners for last year's winning trainer Dan SkeltonCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Could it be third time lucky for Harri?

If this race were a little shorter, Henllan Harri could just be coming here bidding for a hat-trick.

He has been in front two out in the last two runnings but was unable to hold on, finishing fourth in 2017 and second last season.

Trainer Peter Bowen, who has won this with Take The Stand and Mckelvey, said: "He's run well the last two years and I hope he can do that again, but I'd like to have seen him go into the race in better form.

"I don't quite know whether he's in the same form as last year, but he's at the right end of the weights with only 10st and he usually runs well at the track."

Key statisticNo outright favourite has ever won this race, which was first run as the English Summer National over 4m½f in 2000.

What they say

Anthony Honeyball, trainer of Regal Encore
He's been running well, finishing seventh in the Grand National then second at Punchestown, where he gave the winner a lot of weight. Fingers crossed the ground will be on the easy side of good. John Burke, who rode him in the National, takes the ride again and I hope he's set for a decent run.

David Pipe, trainer of Van Gogh Du Granit and You Say What
They've got each-way claims. They've been in great form but they're pretty exposed. Van Gogh Du Granit won't mind the conditions, while You Say What has got no weight but would probably appreciate a bit more give in the ground.

Stuart Edmunds, trainer of Theclockisticking
I'm happy with him, he's in good form and if he doesn't make a mistake like last time he should run a good race – going left-handed on good ground suits him.

Henry Oliver, trainer of Killaro Boy
I didn't want to give him a hard race after a year off so we went for a hunter chase. He did everything right and came out of it well. He's quite lightly raced, but was third at the Punchestown festival last year so he clearly has plenty of ability. He'll love the ground and he's in great order.

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