Nicholls Looks To Albuhera

Albuhera and Armaturk will be out to continue the hot streak of Paul Nicholls in the Victor Chandler Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday.

The former has headed the ante-post market since the weights were published over two weeks ago after finishing second behind Mister McGoldrick in the Castleford Chase, and Nicholls says the eight-year-old is primed for a big run.

'Albuhera is well,' he told At The Races.

'He´s done nothing wrong, ran a fine race in the Castleford at Wetherby over Christmas and he´s better off at the weights with Mister McGoldrick.

'The ground was wrong for him that day and the better ground this weekend will suit him. He is a novice but he has had five runs over fences already ready, he jumps well and a fast-run race should suit him.'

Despite Saturday´s contest being over the minimum trip, Albuhera has shown useful form over further this season and that is the only slight concern for the trainer.

'The only possible negative is that I just get the feeling that he is crying out for a little bit further,' said Nicholls.

'But that might not be a bad thing in this race.'

The consistent Armaturk is also set to take his chance but Nicholls has reservations about the horse running off a career high handicap mark.

Nicholls said: 'Armaturk is in good order. He´s won two races at Lingfield this year and he won a handicap off top weight last time so he´s gone up another four pounds and runs off a career high mark now.

'He has a tough ask off his mark.'

(C) PA Sport