Santini gets the all-clear after scare
SANTINI and Delta Work head a field of 12 declared for the RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham tomorrow.
The Nicky Henderson-trained Santini was the subject of a scare last week with a bruised foot, but has been declared by the Seven Barrows handler, along with stablemate On The Blind Side.
Winner of the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle Final at last year’s Festival, Gordon Elliott’s Delta Work has an unblemished record over fences, with two Grade Ones and three victories in all.
The Joseph O’Brientrained Mortal, who was second to Delta Work in the Neville Hotels Novice Chase at Leopardstown over the Christmas period, is the only other Irish-trained contender.
Topofthegame, Mister Malarkey and Drovers Lane are among others in the mix for the three-mile test.
Henderson has a leading fancy with Champ in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle.
The seven-year-old, who took his winning run to four in the Challow Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury in December, is one of 16 runners for the two-milefive-furlong heat.
Elliott has two chances through unbeaten pair Battleoverdoyen and Galvin, while Willie Mullins saddles Castlebawn West and Easy Game.
O’Brien has booked his brother, champion Irish Flat jockey Donnacha, for the ride on Meticulous in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper.
The County Kilkenny trainer also has Sempo in the 14-strong line-up.