Connections In No Rush With Chief

Well Chief continues to please connections at home but might not be seen in racecourse action until tackling the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March.

The David Pipe-trained seven-year-old has not run since winning the Betfred Celebration Chase back in April 2005, although he appears to have made a full recovery after suffering from a leg problem.

Pipe has not ruled out running the 2004 Arkle hero before this year's Festival, but is in no hurry to rush him back.

'David has said he wouldn't be too concerned if he went straight to the Festival for the Queen Mother without a run,' said owner David Johnson.

'Ideally we would like to get a run into him, but we've taken it very slowly with him and he's very well.

'He looks a million dollars and he's back in work, so I think if a race presents itself for him in January or February it would be quite nice to have a little pipe-opener.'

Johnson has a great deal of respect for Betfair Chase and Tingle Creek winner Kauto Star, but says he would be content to take him on if Paul Nicholls elected to target his charge at the Queen Mother.

'I'm not sure where Paul will go with him, but I'm sure he'll choose the right race for him and you mustn't be frightened of one horse,' he told At The Races.

'If Kauto Star were to go for the Queen Mother we'd be in there giving it our best shot. He's obviously a great horse and it's nice to have a star on the racing scene again.

'Having said that, we wouldn't be frightened of him.'

(C) PA Sport