Taranis Primed For Irish Raid Taranis is on course to step up to three miles for the first time in Saturday's James Nicholson Wine Merchant Champion Chase at Down Royal.The Paul Nicholls-trained six-year-old capped a profitable campaign when winning the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last March, in which Kauto Star's conqueror Monet's Garden could only finish fourth.Taranis was then behind that Nicky Richards-trained inmate in the Melling Chase at Aintree, where his staying-on effort left Nicholls with the impression a stiffer test of stamina would suit.Looking ahead to the weekend's race, which has been won by the likes of Florida Pearl, Looks Like Trouble and Beef Or Salmon in recent years, Nicholls said: 'I've left Taranis in the race, but it wouldn't be soft enough for My Will and Neptune Collonges probably wants another fortnight.'Three miles is the ideal start for Taranis. He won the Ryanair Chase and then in the Melling Chase at Aintree everything suggested he was ready to step up to three miles now,' he told At The Races.'We're now at a point where a lot of them are ready to do themselves justice.'(C) PA Sport
