Stage set for Southfield Theatre

Eight-year-old can shine for Paul Nicholls at Cheltenham

SOUTHFIELD THEATRE can get Cheltenham’s International meeting off to a cracking start for Paul Nicholls by lifting the Unicoin Group Handicap Chase.

The eight-year-old posted a careerbest effort when chasing home Don Poli in the 2015 RSA Chase, but he failed to really build on that last term.

Well beaten by Coneygree on his return, he was then outclassed at Aintree and was slightly unlucky to be brought down at the Festival when just winding up his challenge in the Ultima Handicap Chase.

The cheque for fourth place in the Bet365 Gold Cup on his final start of the campaign offered a little solace, but hopes would likely have been high ahead of this term, particularly as Nicholls appeared to have found him a highly-winnable opportunity at Wincanton on his return.

However, he crashed out at the last when looking a certain winner, so he again goes in search of compensation here.

Southfield Theatre should be making it a double for Nicholls as ARPEGE

D’ALENE holds an excellent chance for the champion trainer in the opening Jockey Club Ownership Syndicate Novices’ Chase.

The six-year-old appears to have his quirks, but there is no doubt he has ability and it would be dangerous to discount him.

Enda Bolger can notch up another Cheltenham success as CANTLOW goes for glory in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase.

Minstrels Gallery outran his odds of 20-1 at Market Rasen on his return.

He can build on that in the 188Bet Handicap Hurdle at Doncaster. SELECTIONS:

CHELTENHAM: 12.20 Arpege D’alene, 12.55 Dawnieriver, 1.30 Southfield Theatre, 2.05 Cantlow, 2.40 L’Aigle Royal, 3.15 Maestro Royal, 3.45 Sumkindofking.

DONCASTER: 12.00 Rear Admiral, 12.30 Post War, 1.05 Might Bite, 1.40 Minstrels Gallery, 2.15 Dancing Shadow, 2.50 Aliandy, 3.25 Tullow Tonic.

DOUBLE: Southfield Theatre and Cantlow.