Can Fox Norton emerge as the new two-mile king in Britain?

2.25 Cheltenham
Shloer Chase | Grade 2 | 2m | 4yo+ | ITV4/RUK

With uncertainty surrounding Altior, there might be a vacancy for a star British-trained two-mile chaser and Colin Tizzard hopes Fox Norton, last year's winner of this race, can fill it.

He was no match for Altior at Newbury in February, but ended the campaign with Grade 1 strikes in the Melling Chase at Aintree and the Champion Chase at Punchestown.

"It [Altior's absence] makes the two-mile division a bit more attractive and if we maintain the form of last year we're probably the best horse," said Tizzard. "We're going to take in this race and then go on to the Tingle Creek – that's been the plan and it hasn't changed.

"He went to Wincanton last week for a canter and is ready to run; he's in good nick."

Will Tiara provide another Special moment?

Douvan's supposed stroll in the Champion Chase in the spring never materialised and Special Tiara pounced to provide trainer Henry de Bromhead, jockey Noel Fehily and enthusiastic owner Sally Rowley-Williams with a memorable triumph.

Third in this race in 2013 and 2016, Special Tiara was game in holding off Fox Norton by a head in the Champion Chase and followed that by chasing home Altior in the Celebration Chase at Sandown.

De Bromhead said: "He's in great from and travelled over very well. He summered well and has been really full of himself over the last couple of weeks. Hearing him being called the Queen Mother champion has a nice ring to it and he's been a terrific servant over the years. I'm really looking forward to seeing him back in action and couldn't be happier with him."

Will Plan B pay off for Jefferson?

An entry mix-up meant Cloudy Dream – the nascent star of Malcolm Jefferson's stable – was taken out of Saturday's BetVictor Gold Cup, but the trainer remains optimistic the seven-year-old can put in a big performance rerouted to this Grade 2.

"He ran a blinder in the Old Roan Chase and will be fine over two miles," said Jefferson. "He isn't short of speed and it was a good run behind Altior in the Arkle. It's a pity he didn't run in the big race on Saturday, but these things happen and we'll take our chance.

"He's a very good horse – probably better than he was last year – and is in great order. He'll run a big race."

Simply a star for Richards, but is he up four it?

It is a fourth Shloer Chase appearance for Simply Ned, second in the race in 2014 and fourth the following year before filling the runner-up berth again 12 months ago.

The ten-year-old is guaranteed to pick up prize-money, which pays down to sixth, but trainer Nicky Richards is hoping to maximise his earnings. He said: "Simply Ned is in grand fettle and has been a grand horse, very consistent and always punching above his weight. Hopefully we'll be in the mix and we can gather as much prize-money as we can."

Vaniteux value?

Prize-money is also on the mind of David Pipe, who runs Vaniteux, a £125,000 summer purchase out of Nicky Henderson's yard.

Smart at his best for the champion trainer, he made his debut for new connections in handicap company at Cheltenham last month.

Pipe said: "He ran a sound race first time out at Cheltenham in October and this is a very tough race, but he's in good form and I think he's come on for his run.

"There's plenty of prize-money on offer so we'll see what we can pick up. He'll be tried over most trips this year – probably even three miles. It was always going to be hard to win with him, but he'll take his owners to a lot of these good meetings."

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