Politologue to give Nicholls a Tingle Creek

Trainer knows what it takes to win and track should suit

POLITOLOGUE is the pick to take full advantage of the absence of Douvan and lift the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown.

Paul Nicholls’ charge admittedly has to find a good chunk on the official figures with Fox Norton, but it is not unreasonable to expect him to progress again following a likeable return at Exeter.

While he was slightly favoured at the weights with one or two in the Haldon Gold Cup, Politologue still put in an excellent round of jumping to run out a two-and-a-quarter-length winner over the reopposing San Benedeto, with Ar Mad and Sir Valentino both failing to finish.

He idled a bit on the run to the line that day, although he could have just needed it, but it was hard not to be impressed with his strong-travelling performance.

Fox Norton clearly represents a much stiffer test of Politologue’s abilities, but Nicholls knows what it takes to win this event better than most and obviously thinks the Sandown track will suit his runner.

Politologue would already be a Grade One winner were it not for his unfortunate last-fence blunder at Aintree in the spring, and he can right the record here.

The randoxhealth.com Henry VIII Novices’ Chase is the other top-level event at the Esher venue and it is Nicky Henderson’s BRAIN POWER who gets the nod in a mouth-watering renewal.

He takes a steep hike in class after winning a novice chase at Kempton on his seasonal return, making all to stroll home by 28 lengths.

Brain Power is the least experienced runner over fences in this line-up, but he has oodles of potential and it is perhaps telling Henderson is following the same route as last year’s winner Altior. SELECTIONS: SANDOWN: 12.05 Just A Sting, 12.40 The Wicket Chicken, 1.10 Beat That, 1.45 Brain Power, 2.20 Unison, 2.55 POLITOLOGUE (NAP), 3.30 Doing Fine.

KELSO: 12.10 Some Reign, 12.40 Progress Drive, 1.10 Surprise Vendor, 1.40 West Of The Edge, 2.15 My Old Gold, 2.45 Sun Cloud, 3.15 On A Promise. DOUBLE: Politologue and Brain Power.