What the trainers say as Mister Whitaker puts festival claims on the line

3.00 Ascot
bet365 Handicap Chase | 2m5f, 5yo+ | ITV4/RTV

Big things could be in order for Mister Whitaker at the Cheltenham Festival but first he must back up the bold thoughts of his connections at Ascot.

Owned by Tim Radford, last year's festival winner could be aimed at the Cheltenham Gold Cup, a race Radford formerly sponsored through his company Timico, or the Ryanair Chase granted a performance in line with expectations here.

Jack Channon, son and assistant to trainer Mick Channon, said: “If he’s going to be the type of horse we want him to be, and to run in the race we want and think he can run in, then he needs to be putting in a good performance in a race of this nature.

“We’ve got to carry top weight but most of the market leaders are covered by around 8lb, so it’s not like he’s giving away lumps of weight to a fancied rival. He’s in great shape and we can’t wait to run him.”

Mister Whitaker is a best-priced 33-1 shot for the Ryanair Chase and 66-1 for the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Benatar (right): drops in trip on SaturdayCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Bold ploy to help Benatar get home

Gary and Jamie Moore are likely to employ different tactics on Benatar on Saturday after feeling the seven-year-old did not finish off his race over three miles last time.

Jamie Moore had picked his way through from the back to look threatening on Ashley Head’s runner until the turn for home when the petrol tank appeared to empty quickly.

“We’ll have to ride him a lot handier than we did last time and hopefully that will pay off,” said Gary Moore. “I don’t think he stayed the three miles there last time. He came there looking threatening at the top of the home straight and didn’t finish his race off. This should be better.”

What they say

Harry Derham, assistant to Paul Nicholls, trainer of San Benedeto and Cyrname
San Benedeto is not easily placed and is not really the best handicapped of horses. Lorcan Williams takes off a useful 5lb and he’s in good order. Cyrname is really well in himself. Last time at Ascot, Sean [Bowen] came in and said two miles was not his thing at all. This should be much more to his liking and I’d like to think he can be very competitive.

Venetia Williams with Belami Des Pictons, who returns after a long absenceCredit: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency

Venetia Williams, trainer of Belami Des Pictons
He’s had 12 months off after picking up an injury when he chased home Waiting Patiently at Carlisle. He’s in good order and it’s turned into a more competitive race than we might have hoped for on his return. He’s a horse we’ve been looking forward to getting back and hopefully he can run a nice race.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Flying Angel
He’s been a bit in and out this season so we’re just trying to find the right circumstances to get him back to his best. Hopefully this will suit him.

Robert Walford, trainer of Mr Medic
He’s in really good form but he’s gone up a lot in the handicap for his two wins at the course. He loves Ascot and has always run well there so that gives us hope, but it’s a lot tougher for him.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Divine Spear
I hope the ground's not too quick for him as it was at Cheltenham and that did for him. He's had a few niggles and going up and down those hills on that ground wasn't ideal. Ascot has a nice uphill finish, so if he goes down the hill well I'm sure he'll come up even better.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Get On The Yager
He seems to be coming back to a bit of form at home. He had a little problem in the autumn and was lifeless when he ran at Wetherby but he seems a little better now. However, he's never won off this high a mark, so I'm realistic in my expectations for him.

Colin Tizzard, trainer of Quite By Chance
He's had his wind done because he was making a noise. He seems to be working really well but he might need a run because it was a big wind operation, so we'll see.

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