Dan Skelton bullish Ch'tibello can bounce back to his best in Kingwell Hurdle

2.25 Kempton
Betway Kingwell Hurdle (Grade 2) | 2m | 4yo+ | ITV4/RTV

As well as being an important race in its own right, the Kingwell Hurdle's place in the racing programme dictates it can be used to put Champion Hurdle aspirants through their paces.

However, only two of the six runners for this rescheduled race hold an entry in Cheltenham's first-day feature and, at this late stage, it will need an impressive performance from either Quick Grabim or Elgin to announce themselves as a realistic contender for festival glory.

Elgin, who finished fifth to Buveur D'Air in the 2018 Champion Hurdle, hasn't been seen in public since trailing the field in a 1m6f handicap at Newmarket's July meeting later that year.

He underwent wind surgery last October, and his trainer is quoted as saying the eight-year-old "will come on for this outing".

However, with the Champion Hurdle firmly on the horizon now, you would not expect Elgin to be lacking too much in terms of fitness.

Instead of looking at the race with an eye on Cheltenham, it is best to focus on which horse has probably been laid out for Kingwell victory.

Top of that list must surely be Ch'tibello, who goes well fresh and looks primed for a massive effort on his first start since Boxing Day.

The conditions of this race look tailor-made for a horse many will consider to be too high in the ratings on 155 to land a major handicap, but not good enough to beat the leading hurdlers on level weights.

He has to concede weight all round in the Kingwell, but looks well up to the task. This could be his Champion Hurdle.

Song For Someone is the improver who could well take the next step. Placed in two fiercely contested handicaps at Sandown and Ascot this winter, he has won three of his six starts since being gelded in December 2018, and any further progress would surely see him pose a huge threat to Ch'tibello.

Protektorat, who finished a place ahead of him at Sandown, has since won a Listed hurdle at Cheltenham and found only Harry Senior and King Roland too good for him in Grade 2 company.

Diego Du Charmil goes particularly well fresh, so it's interesting that Paul Nicholls elects to put this 156-rated chaser back over hurdles for the first time since March 2017.

Like many decisions the multiple champion trainer has made during his career, it could prove inspired.

Key stat

Elgin, the only course winner in the field, has a 50 per cent strike-rate – one win from two starts – at Kempton.

What they say

Dan Skelton, trainer of Ch’tibello
He's got a big chance, he's leading on numbers. I've had this time of year in mind for him because Cheltenham wasn’t the plan this year. I'm very happy with him at home, the race looks nice for him and hopefully he's got a big, big chance.

Fergal O’Brien, trainer of Quick Grabim
Paddy [Brennan] is convinced the horse wants better ground. This will give him a good blow before Cheltenham.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Diego Du Charmil
He's in serious order and worked well this morning. His form over fences is good and I think he'll run very well. He's massively good when fresh.

Elgin: in action for the first time since July 2018Credit: Alan Crowhurst

Alan King, trainer of Elgin
He's been in good form at home, looking as if he has retained an awful lot of ability. He's been off for a year and a half having suffered a tendon injury and had a wind operation, so he will come on for the outing, although his only other option before Cheltenham would be Sunday’s National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell, where neither the testing ground nor the longer distance would have been what he wants.

Tom Symonds, trainer of Song For Someone
I’m delighted they've rescheduled the race from Wincanton. Ideally I'd have liked it to be on a stiffer track, but his Sandown form looks rock-solid and the penalty system in the race is in his favour.

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