It’s a case of Tingle all the way at Sandown for Nicholls and Politologue
PAUL NICHOLLS could have found his next superstar after Politologue added his name to an illustrious roll of honour in the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown.
Having shown glimpses of his potential last season, the six-yearold finally came of age when providing the Ditcheat handler with his 10th success in the two-mile Grade One contest, joining the likes of Kauto Star and Master Minded in winning the Esher feature.
Jumping well throughout, the 7-2 shot put in a career-best effort to back up his victory on his seasonal return in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter when holding odds-on favourite Fox Norton at bay by half a length.
Nicholls said: ‘I was lucky to have all those good horses and they come around in cycles and you have to bring them along from the start.
‘I am not saying he is as good as Master Minded yet, but he jumps well and has the same sort of attributes. He has class and at his age, he should just get better.
‘I’m very lucky to have one like it again. He is a good one and it is great to be back there with a horse like this.
‘I think he is a real twomiler − he has got speed and jumps. We will probably go to Ascot now (for the Clarence House Chase) at the end of January.’
Nicholls went on: ‘He is starting to look the proper job. I knew when he went to Exeter there would be huge improvement. No one ever believes you when you say they need a run, but he hadn’t been back long enough really. ‘I knew they would go quick and his jumping stands him in great stead. Harry said he just cruises there and ends up idling in front. The faster they go, the more he can get a tow into the race.’ Colin Tizzard said of the beaten favourite: ‘As Robbie said, he missed the first a bit and was just chasing them and we never got there - it was as simple as that. I would say we will be stepping up in trip now. We’ve always been talking about doing it.’ There was a sad postscript to the race as the Tom George-trained Sir Valentino suffered a fatal fall at the last. The final race was delayed as every effort to save him was made.
Clerk of the course Andrew Cooper said: ‘It has been confirmed that Sir Valentino sadly died after a fall in the Tingle Creek. He was given every chance, but sadly it was not to be. He will probably have a post mortem into what the exact cause was.’
Sceau Royal (11-1) may have been just below the best over hurdles but showed he is in the top rank over fences after gaining his first Grade One victory with an impressive 11-length success under Daryl Jacob in the randoxhealth.com Henry VIII Novices’ Chase.
Alan King, winning trainer, said: ‘I think the fences have improved him and you won’t see a slicker round around here or anywhere and he was like that from day one.
‘He ran very well at Cheltenham when he was beaten by Dan (Skelton’s) horse (North Hill Harvey) when he was giving him weight and the run at Warwick just gave him confidence.
‘I wouldn’t mind if he went straight to the Arkle. There might be one run or something, but we will leave him alone a bit for now.’