Paul Nicholls has a strong team ready to do battle on Saturday as he sends five runners to Kempton and Warwick.
Rouge Vif is having his his second run for the 12-time champion trainer and goes up in distance to tackle two miles and four furlongs for the first time in the Grade 2 Coral Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton.
The eight-year-old, who was third in the 2020 Arkle when trained by Harry Whittington, faces three tough rivals in Mister Fisher, Defi Du Seuil and Eldorado Allen.
Here are Betfair Ambassador Nicholls' thoughts on all of his Saturday runners:
Kempton
12:55 - Milan Bridge
An ex Irish point-to-pointer, he should a willing attitude when winning on his debut for us over hurdles at Lingfield in November, staying on strongly. He surprised us a bit that day because he is more workmanlike than flashy at home. He’s come on for that run and I’m hoping he can take another step forward under a penalty.
14:05 - Rouge Vif
He is a classy chaser at his best and was up against several of the best two mile chasers in the country on his debut for us at Cheltenham. He probably needed the run that day and although well beaten in the end he gave Bryony Frost the impression he will appreciate this step up in trip to two and a half miles. We are still learning about Rouge Vif who has a nice chance if he has improved from that first race for us.
14:40 - Gelino Bello
He is one of our better staying novices, won stylishly on his debut over hurdles at Aintree in October and has run really well in finishing second on his last two starts at Cheltenham to the highly rated Irish horse Blazing Khal. I’ve always thought this handicap was a suitable target for Gelino Bello who is progressive, jumps slickly and has a favourite’s chance. Two miles, five furlongs on a flat track will suit him very well.
Warwick
13:50 - Threeunderthrufive
He has made a brilliant start to his chasing career, rattling up a hat-trick on his last three starts. He jumps soundly and is nice and fresh now after a nice little break at home following four fairly quick races. Threeunderthrufive is a strong stayer and can handle any ground. Big chance.
15:00 - Grace A Vous Enki
He won twice over fences on heavy ground at Auteuil as a four year old before joining us this season and being a half brother to Yala Enki shapes like a thorough stayer. He kept on well when fifth behind Bardenstown Lad at Cheltenham in October and seemed in command when falling three out at Hereford last time. That was down to a silly lapse of concentration. While we haven’t had him that long he strikes us as an out an out stayer who will relish the testing conditions he will find at Warwick.
Best chance. Threeunderthrufive. 13:50Warwick. He is on a roll and looks to have a big chance of completing a four timer.
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