SANTINI FIT TO RUN
SANTINI is now all set to take on Irish hotpot Delta Work in the RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham after a recent injury scare.
The seven-year-old had pulled up lame and sore after ripping off a shoe during a racecourse gallop at Newbury on Sunday and was a doubtful runner.
But trainer Nicky Henderson posted a video of the horse trotting on the gallops at Seven Barrows yesterday and reported the gelding on course for next Wednesday’s Grade One event.
“All is well in the world with Santini this morning and we’re firmly back on track for the RSA,” Henderson said.
Santini has won one of his two starts over fences this term, finishing third behind star mare La Bague Au Roi when upped to Grade One company on Boxing Day.
He is as short as 3-1 for the RSA, with Delta Work, trained by Gordon Elliott, the warm favourite at a best-priced 9-4.
Leading Ryanair Chase contender Fox Norton has been ruled out of the Festival after a setback.
The Colin Tizzard-trained gelding, who also held an entry in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase, was as short as 8-1 for the Grade One prize.
Tizzard’s son and assistant Joe said: “We’re really disappointed, but unfortunately Fox Norton will miss the Ryanair next week due to a re-ocurrence of an old injury.”