Superstar Irish raider Chacun can show his true abilities

Henry VIII Novices’ Chase

1.50, 1m7½f Grade 1 chase

THIRD TIME LUCKI has looked the pick of the 2m novice chasers so far this winter and he can confirm that impression here.

Dan Skelton’s six-year-old came up short when his sights were raised at the end of his hurdles career but the gelding has thrived since switching to the larger obstacles and was always holding off Sebastopol when completing a double at Cheltenham last time out.

Edwardstone was brought down on his chase debut but had little trouble gaining compensation twelve days later, sauntering clear of Stepney Causeway when Tom Cannon asked for an effort. He needs more to challenge the favourite but looks a solid each-way alternative.

Il Ridoto was well behind War Lord when making his UK debut at Newton Abbot in

October but looked a different horse at Newbury on Saturday where he could be named the winner some way out. He shouldn’t be ignored if making a quick reappearance.

1 THIRD TIME LUCKI 2 Edwardstone

3 Il Ridoto

Betfair Tingle Creek Chase

2.25, 1m7½f Grade 1 chase The Irish can land another big British race with CHACUN

POUR SOI.

Willie Mullins’ nine-year-old disappointed on his last visit to these shores, only managing third in the Champion Chase, but he was otherwise invincible last season, winning a Grade 2 by 19 lengths on his comeback before taking three Grade 1s. He produced a flawless round of jumping when dominating Punchestown’s Champion Chase in April and a repeat performance at a track that should suit his style will make him very hard to beat.

Mullins could also run Allaho. He was never seriously threatened when winning the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham in March but that was over 2m4f and he couldn’t get close to his stablemate Chacun Pour Soi at Punchestown in April. It’s hard to see him turning that form around.

The Irish contingent is completed by Captain

Guinness.

He easily won a Naas Grade 3 recently and will have proven fitness on his side, but he came up short against the best novice chasers last season and will need a career best to figure in the finish.

Nube Negra developed into a top-class two-miler last season and was arguably an unlucky loser in the Champion Chase, as he travelled smoothly into contention but lost valuable momentum with a final fence stumble and couldn’t get past the gritty Put The Kettle On.

He was perhaps still feeling those exertions when below par behind Chacun Pour Soi on his final start of the campaign and he looked better than ever when beating

Politologue at Cheltenham three weeks ago. He is the pick of the home team.

Paul Nicholls has two contenders as he bids for a 12th victory in this event, with Greaneteen the pick.

Runner-up in this 12 months ago, the seven-year-old was well beaten at Exeter last time out but he pulled too hard and

got tired in the closing stages.

He should strip much fitter here, and the form he showed when brushing aside Altior over course and distance in April would see him go close.

Hitman finished nearly 20l ahead of Greaneteen at Exeter but he was getting 17lb and looked much fitter than his stablemate that day. The fiveyear-old came up short in three Grade 1 novice chases last season and is probably set for a minor role at best.

Cheddleton won twice over fences last season and looked capable of winning more races when third under a big weight in a Graduation chase at Carlisle last month but it

would be a massive surprise if

he was good enough to take this.

Defi Du Seuil has been a great credit to connections, with a win in the 2019 renewal of this one of his career highlights.

He added another Grade 1 chase success in Ascot’s Clarence House Chase six weeks later, but subsequent efforts have been mostly disappointing and there was little immediate promise at Ascot two weeks ago when he trailed home 35 lengths behind Lostintranslation despite starting favourite. He has too much to prove at present.

1. CHACUN POUR SOI

2. Nube Negra

3. Greaneteen