'He's come out of it really well' - Politologue set for Ascot in January

Paul Nicholls has confirmed recent Betfair Tingle Creek Chase winner Politologue will be aimed at the Clarence House Chase at Ascot on January 23 before he attempts a repeat win in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase in March.

The reigning two-mile king was having his first race since Cheltenham when repeating his 2017 Tingle Creek win by beating stablemate Greaneteen at Sandown earlier this month.

Nicholls has established that Politologue is best when kept fresh and had indicated after the Tingle Creek that there was a possibility he would go straight to the Cheltenham Festival.

However, the nine-year-old, owned by John Hales, is reported to have come of his seasonal reappearance "really well" and Nicholls believes the timing of the Matchbook-sponsored Ascot Grade 1 fits in well for one more run before the festival.

Watch Politologue win the Tingle Creek

Nicholls, who has won the Clarence House with Master Minded (twice), Twist Magic and Dodging Bullets, said: "Politologue will go to Ascot next for the Clarence House Chase. He likes the track and the timing is good. He won't be going to Kempton the day after Boxing Day and, after Ascot, he definitely won't run again before Cheltenham."

Paul Nicholls: switching the next target for Politologue from Kempton to AscotCredit: Edward Whitaker

The Ditcheat trainer added: "Last year we had issues with him after he ran in the Tingle Creek, and he had to have a month off on the easy list, but this time he came out of the race really well and was straight back into work. That was all really positive, and the Clarence House looks a good race to go for, so that's where we are headed."

Politologue is a best-priced 9-1 chance with bet365 for the Champion Chase, with recent Cork winner Chacun Pour Soi the 7-2 ante-post favourite.

Double Champion Chase winner Altior, who is due to return in the Desert Orchid at Kempton on December 27, is also prominent in the market at 7-1, with last season's Arkle winner Put The Kettle On a general 8-1 shot.

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