FOUR FOR SHOGUN Tiutchev will face just three rivals when he bids to redeem his reputation in the Mitsubishi Shogun Ascot Chase tomorrow. Nicky Henderson`s gelding, winner of last season`s Arkle Challenge Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival, has been below form on his two starts since scoring at Punchestown in May. Last time out he finished sixth behind Function Dream in the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot last month. Henderson now reports Tiutchev as fit as he was at this time last year but would prefer better ground for his charge. Tiutchev`s main rival looks to be the Venetia Williams-trained Bellator, a fine third to First Gold in the Pertemps King George VI Chase on Boxing Day.Carl Llewellyn has landed the plum ride on Bellator. Williams, who saddled Teeton Mill to win the race two years ago, also runs The Outback Way in tomorrow`s Grade One contest, which is run over an extended two miles and three furlongs. Charlie Mann`s Celibate, a disappointment at Newbury last Saturday, completes the line-up. Henderson`s Bacchanal warms up for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at next month`s Cheltenham Festival in the Gerrard Reynoldstown Chase. The seven-year-old faces a maximum of just two opponents in the Stg#35,000 contest. They are Bindaree and Mighty Kilcash. The latter is also entered in Warwick`s Michael Page Legal Novices` Chase but has Ascot as his first preference. Australian horse Logician runs in the Shenley Enterprises Novices` Chase after which a decision is expected on the 10-year-old`s participation in the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup.
