CALVADOS FLYING
SAINT CALVADOS is in high spirits and ready to take on allconquering Altior in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase next Wednesday.
The bold-jumping front-runner delighted his trainer Harry Whittington, below, in a racecourse gallop at Newbury on Sunday and is on course to take on title-holder Altior in the two-mile showpiece.
The six-year-old was an impressive winner of the
Grade Three
Poplar Square
Chase at Naas in November, but was was a wellbeaten third behind Altior in the Tingle Creek
Chase at Sandown in December, and occupied the same position behind Min in the Dublin Chase at Leopardstown last month.
But Whittington expects his two-mile star to shape up better at Prestbury Park after delighting him in a racecourse gallop at Newbury on Sunday.
“He did it all on the bridle, had a day out and enjoyed himself,” said Whittington. “It’s all systems go for the Champion Chase. The ground should be fine. It will probably look like a mixture of good to soft and soft. It should be ideal.”
One horse not currently pulling up trees is Santini, who, according to his trainer Nicky Henderson, is still all set for the RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase at next week’s Festival – despite pulling off a shoe when schooling at Newbury on Sunday. The seven-year-old has been the long-time ante-post favourite for the Grade One contest after an impressive debut over fences at Newbury before finishing third in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day. Henderson said: “Santini lost a shoe and our vet poulticed it as a precautionary measure.
“I have been away from the yard today but have spoken to my staff and they report him fine and we see no reason why he won’t run in the RSA.” Santini has drifted in the in the betting, with rival Delta Work, trained by Gordon Elliott, now the new favourite.