Somersby to be aimed at Champion Chase

Somersby is to be aimed at the Champion Chase at Cheltenham next month following his tremendous effort against Master Minded at Ascot.

Trainer Henrietta Knight has decided to keep the seven-year-old at two miles rather than step him up in trip for the Ryanair Chase.

Somersby was runner-up in the Arkle Trophy at the Festival last March, and gave dual Champion Chase winner Master Minded a fright when making up an enormous amount of ground to get within a short head in the Victor Chandler Chase at the Berkshire venue last month.

"He's very well indeed. He's definitely going for the Queen Mother," said Knight.

"He's done nothing wrong at two miles, so he'll stay at that trip for the moment. He's never run well beyond two miles yet so there's no point changing the formula."