Daryl Jacob explains why he's decided to ride Sceau Royal over Janika in the Betfair Tingle Creek at Sandown on Saturday in his latest column.
Tough choice but I’ve a Royal appointment
It looks a really good renewal of the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown this year and I had a tough choice to make between Sceau Royal and Janika.
I decided to go with Sceau Royal as he’s the proven two-miler and he’s got winning form at Sandown as well having won the Henry VIII around there, I just hope the ground dries out a little bit more for him.
He’s been second to Altior, third in the Champion Chase and you need to be quick and nimble around Sandown. Sceau Royal has the tools to win a race like this, he’s been there against the big boys whereas Janika still has to prove himself at this level.
I sat on him last week and he seems on great terms with himself, we know he goes well fresh after he won the Shloer Chase first time out last year and he’s had a very clear run despite not being out.
I’m hopeful of a big run from him but it was a tough decision and Janika is not out of the picture by any means.
He’s an improving sort and his runs in those handicaps last season were very good, while his performance in the Haldon Gold Cup was exceptional.
The Railway Fences down the back should suit him as he’s a very good jumper and if the ground is more on the testing side he’s not without a shout, it was a very tough call.
He worked well the other day and I might not be on the right one, but we’ll find out on Saturday. It’s all set to be a great race and Defi Du Seuil, Politologue and Un De Sceaux offer really tough opposition.
I just hope one of ours comes out on top!
Torpillo could be crowned in Henry VIII
Earlier on the card Torpillo runs in the Read Road To Cheltenham At racingtv.com Henry VIII Novices' Chase, a race we won a couple of years ago with Sceau Royal.
I was really impressed with him at Warwick and we’ve had this race in mind for him for some time given the generous four-year-old allowance that he could really exploit.
The 6lb he gets could be crucial, it’s a great incentive to send four-year-olds chasing and it’s something we’ve done before with the likes of Bristol De Mai.
Dragon heads to London National
Dragon D’Estruval had the choice between the Becher Chase and the London National and we’re heading to Sandown as that track could really suit him.
He’ll love the fences down the back, it’s a galloping track, the ground will be fine. It’s an obvious target for him and I think he’ll love stepping up in trip so I’m looking forward to riding him.
Top Notch ideal type for Peterborough
Top Notch goes for the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon on Sunday, a race he’s won before, the year it was run at Taunton.
He’s in really good form and came out of his Aintree win really well.
There’s a few really nice horses in the race with La Bague Au Roi aiming to bounce back for Warren Greatrex, but Nicky Henderson is really happy with Top Notch and it looks the ideal race for him.
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