Nicholls to be double-handed in TOTE CLASSIC CHASE at Warwick.

Paul Nicholls revealed today that he intends to run both Ad Hoc and Montifault in the #110,000 Tote Classic Chase at Warwick on Saturday (January 10).

Ad Hoc rounded off last season in fine style by winning his second attheraces Gold Cup at Sandown by nine lengths from Stormez, adding to his earlier success in the contest in 2001 when he was 19 lengths too strong for What´s Up Boys.

While the trainer reported the 10-year-old as being 'in good order,' Barry Simpson, racing manager to Ad Hoc´s owner Sir Robert Ogden, explained further: 'The intention is to run Ad Hoc in the Tote Classic Chase at this stage and obviously a final decision will be made on Friday morning.'

Ad Hoc was last seen in action in a handicap chase at Ascot on December 20, when he came home sixth of the eight competitors, going well until making a mistake three fences from home.

'Ad Hoc is fine and the trainer reports that he´s in good form - we will just see how we go,' continued Simpson. 'One always looks at races and thinks ´well could we have won them?´ and I think that Ascot was a race where he was probably just never quite near enough to win.

'He did make a mistake and that sort of just knocked the stuffing out of him and particularly being just his second run [of the season].'

The Strong Gale gelding has been allotted 11st 6lb in the Tote Classic Chase. He currently has a handicap mark of 152, having won the 2003 attheraces Gold Cup off 145.

'We´ve always felt that Ad Hoc is a horse which runs better in a good race with a lesser weight. He is harshly treated [by the handicapper], of that there is no doubt, but if you look back through his racing record he is not an over big horse and he doesn´t carry big weights well,' explained Simpson.

'When he´s won the attheraces Gold Cup, he´s won them because he´s been carrying less than 11st on his back and he is a better horse with a lesser weight.'

Montifault, third behind Lord Noelie in the Tote Bookmakers Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on New Year´s Eve and the winner of the Badger Brewery Handicap Chase at Wincanton in 2001, was described by Nicholls as 'fine,' after his seasonal bow at Prestbury Park. The nine-year-old has 10st 3lb in the Tote Classic Chase.

Andrew Balding is keen to run Gunner Welburn on Saturday and it is 50-50 whether the 12-year-old will run off 10st 10lb in the Tote Classic Chase at Warwick.

Gunner Welburn showed his well-being by winning the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase at Wetherby over Christmas by four lengths from Skippers Cleuch.

'Gunner Welburn seems absolutely fine - in an ideal world for a race like this we would have liked another week. I don´t see any reason why he shouldn´t be able to run a big race wherever he goes at the weekend,' said the Kingsclere-based trainer.

'He´s gone up 8lb in the handicap for his Wetherby win and runs with a 6lb penalty if he goes to Warwick. We haven´t got a lot of options after this weekend and the Grand National is very much his ultimate objective.'

The distance of the Tote Classic Chase has been increased from 3m 2f to 3m 5f for the first time in 2003, the new trip being four furlongs further than Gunner Welburn won over at Wetherby.

'The extra distance would be a slight worry as he´s looked a slightly doubtful stayer over further than three miles in the past. Having said that, if he´s going to get it anywhere it would be at Warwick I would have thought,' opined Balding.

'Barry Fenton is committed to riding three at Ascot for Emma Lavelle, who is his main source of rides, so Richard McGrath [who partnered the 12-year-old at Wetherby] will be in the saddle.'

A total of 18 top-class chasers are currently still in the Tote Classic Chase, with the Henry Daly-trained Behrajan heading the weights on 11st 12lb.

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