Neptune Collonges Primed For Letheby And Christopher Chase

Champion jump trainer Paul Nicholls revealed today that Neptune Collonges is bang on target for the £100,000 Grade Two Letheby & Christopher Chase (2.45pm), run over three miles, one and a half furlongs at Cheltenham this Saturday, January 27, Festival Trials Day.

The progressive six-year-old, a fine second to Our Vic in the Grade Two Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby on his seasonal return, took the valuable Rehearsal Chase over three miles at Newcastle on November 25 under top weight, but failed to get competitive back over hurdles last time when sixth to Mighty Man in the Grade One BGC Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot on December 16.

Nicholls said today: 'Neptune Collonges definitely runs at Cheltenham on Saturday in the Letheby & Christopher Chase.

'In hindsight I wish I hadn't run him at Ascot last time - looking back I don't think it was such a good idea to go over hurdles, but he didn't have too many options over Christmas. He just didn't run any kind of race that day, but this has been his target ever since.

'He's fresh, well, and in good order. He's in decent form and the testing ground will definitely be in his favour.'

Although Our Vic gave 12lb and a seven-length beating to Neptune Collonges in the Charlie Hall Chase, the latter's trainer is not afraid to take on the winner again, whilst acknowledging that turning the tables would not be easy.

Nicholls continued: 'Saturday is a different day on a different track and we live in hope. Our Vic was very impressive at Wetherby, but our horse needed the run that day, as he was much more effective the next time at Newcastle. We are ready to take them all on.

'He's in the totesport Gold Cup, and with his rating there is not much else for him to go for, as he hasn't got an entry in the Aintree National.

'It's going to be a very tough race on Saturday, and I'm not confident, but Neptune Collonges is very well and the ground will suit, so you never know. Ruby Walsh will ride him.'

A total of 14 entries have been received for the Letheby & Christopher Chase, including Our Vic, Paddy Power Gold Cup victor Exotic Dancer, Coral Welsh National hero Halcon Genelardais and top Irish novice Cailin Alainn from the Charles Byrnes stable.

Henry Daly is keeping a close eye on the weather before deciding whether to let Billyvoddan and Mighty Man take their chances at Cheltenham this Saturday.

Billyvoddan, who is entered in both the Letheby & Christopher Chase and the £55,000 Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase (3.55pm) over two miles and five furlongs on the same card, returned to form in spectacular fashion last time out when taking the BGC Silver Cup Handicap Chase at Ascot on December 16 by 12 lengths, when the application of blinkers clearly worked the oracle.

Daly said today: 'It all depends on what the ground is like for Billyvoddan. If it is no better than soft ground then he will not run - it would need to dry out for him to take his chance.

'He ran very well last time with the blinkers on - they just made him concentrate on the job in hand and clearly had the desired effect. That win was over three miles but I'm not sure what his best trip is - I would say the ground is the most important factor with him.

'Billyvoddan has come out of the Ascot race well. He is in good order and ready to run and I hope we can get him out, but we'll just have to see. Whether or not Leighton Aspell keeps the ride depends on if Richard [Johnson] is available.'

Mighty Man, third in Grade One Ladbrokes World Hurdle at last year's Festival, could be in line for a mouth-watering clash with the unbeaten Black Jack Ketchum in the £60,000 Grade Two Byrne Bros Cleeve Hurdle (2.10pm), which has attracted a high-class entry of 15.

The seven-year-old followed a fine second to Hardy Eustace in the Grade Two Coral Ascot Hurdle in November on his seasonal return with a gritty success in the Grade One BGC Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot on December 16, defeating Lough Derg by a length and a quarter.

Daly continued: 'Mighty Man's participation is also entirely dependent on the ground, as he does not like it testing.

'Richard [Johnson] got off him after Ascot last time and said that he hated it - he said he won despite the ground and not because of it.

'He's fine after the race though and in good order, but he just wants better ground - I think good going suits him best.'

Cheltenham's going remains heavy on both the hurdles and chase courses after 1mm of rain fell overnight. The forecast is for significant overnight frosts up to Friday, although the entire racing area has been covered with frost sheets for protection.