Tingle Creek Chase: A race for connoisseurs

One is missing on Saturday in the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown: Altior, winner of the previous year and the outstanding two-mile caser of recent years. But with Un De Sceaux (winner 2016) and Politologue (winner 2017) are old rivals at the start. It could be a thrilling duel old against young or routine against talent: Defi Du Seul, Sceau Royal and Janika are interesting newcomers waiting for the established ones.  

The favourites

Defi Du Seuil (Trainer Philipp Hobbs) is currently the bookmaker's favourite. A horse, who showed his class over hurdles and also over the big obstacles. Last season he convinced in the Novice Division, winning among others the Scilly Isles Chase in Sandown and the JLT Novices' Chase in Cheltenham. The gelding defeated the current Betfair Chase winner Lostintranslation several times. These forms are over longer distances, but Defi Du Seuil recently has beaten Politologue over two miles in the Shloer Chase. Again he showed very good speed. "The stiffer track in Sandown will suit him because he has stamina for longer distances," says coach Hobbs. Soft ground would also be an advantage.

Un De Sceaux (Trainer Willie Mullins) is now 11 years old and has won almost 1.8 million euros in prize money. He is not as outstanding as he was in the 2016/2017 season when he won Tingle Creek and Champion Chase, but the Mullins protégé still impresses with good performances. Two miles is his best distance, in the years before he needed little starting time. A real touchstone, especially on soft terrain.

Paul Nicholls, Trainer of Politologue, hopes for a fast race, then his chances would increase. It could be fast thanks to Un De Sceaux and Ornua. The 2017 Tingle Creek winner lost his annual debut in the Shloer Chase against Defi Du Seuil, but his weight is lower on Saturday. He was the one who made Altior tremble a little last year in the Champion Chase. The grey horse will have a great chance. 

 

Tingle Creek 2016: Un De Sceaux beats Sire De Grugy in a thrilling battle.

The challengers

Sceau Royal, trained by Alan King, was always highly regarded. In last year's Tingle Creek he was without chances behind the big boys Altior and Un De Sceaux. After this blip, he performed well in Champion Chase (third behind Altior and Politologue) and Celebration Chase in Sandown (second behind Altior). Maybe he can still improve, he always won the first race in the last years.

Trainer Nicky Henderson is currently doing well, and he sends with Janika an interesting candidate. The gelding beats Dolos in the Haldon Gold Cup in Exeter (Class 1 handicap) despite his extra weight. Now it gets even shorter in distance, Dolos is also there again, but the opponents are much better. But he could still have reserves.

Waiting Patiently (Trainer Ruth Jefferson) won six consecutive races from November 2016 to February 2018, culminating in the Ascot Chase (Grade 2) triumph against Cue Card and Frodon. But with all his talent, the gelding always had to struggle with injuries, in his last starts he was clearly defeated three times despite his placings. Now he is going down the distance again, I'm curious.

The outsiders

Dolos (Trainer Paul Nicholls) is a consistent horse on his level and has a lot of experience in chases despite his young age. He was second behind Janika in Exeter, on Saturday his opponents are of even higher quality.  

Ornua (Trainer Henry de Bromhead) is another guest from Ireland and as Novice already Grade 1 winner in the Doombaar Maghull Novices' Chase in Aintree. The gelding did not confirm this form in the later tests. On Saturday a courageous outsider with high odds. 

Verdict

A very good race. I have always been a great friend of Sceau Royal and still believe that the horse has much more potential. But it won't be easy: Politologue, Un De Sceaux and Defi Du Seuil will be tough opponents. A race more to enjoy than to bet. But Sceau Royal is worth a small bet.