IT’S A NO-SCEAUX IN TINGLE CREEK
IRISH chasing star Un De Sceaux will not run in the Tingle Creek Chase on Saturday.
The seven-year-old flying machine, favourite for the Betway Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March and one of jump racing’s most exciting prospects, was withdrawn from the two-mile feature late yesterday afternoon.
Trainer Willie Mullins said: “Unfortunately Un De Sceaux will not run this weekend. He has been a little flat in himself the last two days.”
Un De Sceaux’s absence is a blow for Sandown after Sprinter Sacre was declared a non-runner earlier this week, and comes soon after jockey Ruby Walsh had declared the horse was “in great form and schooled very well at Thurles after racing last week.”
The horse may now be aimed at the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown on December 27.
The new favourite for the Tingle Creek is now the Paul Nicholls-trained Vibrato Valtat.
The winner of the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter, when beating Third Intention by four lengths last month, will face 2013 Arkle Trophy winner Simonsig, former two-mile champion chaser Sire De Grugy and Celebration Chase winner Special Tiara in a competitive line-up despite the two major absentees.
It also means the race has developed into a better betting prospect for punters, with some heavy support for Special Tiara.
“Un De Sceaux’s withdrawal has only served to make the race an even more competitive betting market with four of the nine intended runners priced in single figures,” said race sponsor Betfair’s Barry Orr.
“Vibrato Valtat is certain to go off favourite now but the each-way ante-post backers of plunge horses Special Tiara and Third Intention will be very happy with themselves.’’
Nina Carberry will partner Somersby, runner-up to Dodging Bullets in the Queen Mother Champion Chase in March, for the first time on Saturday.
Carberry successfully rode for the 11-year-old’s trainer Mick Channon when winning on Knock House at Cheltenham in November.
Somersby finished second in the last two runnings of the Tingle Creek and was second in the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham behind Sprinter Sacre three weeks ago.
Channon said: “We’ve been very pleased with Somersby since Cheltenham where he ran a smashing race against a very good horse.
“The old boy is in good form and we know how much he likes Sandown.”
Betfair Tingle Creek Chase betting: 7-4 Vibrato Valtat, 4-1 Simonsig, 9-2 Special Tiara, 6-1 Sire De Grugy, 14-1 Josses Hill, Somersby, Mr Mole, 20-1 Savello and 25-1 Third Intention.