Paul Nicholls intends to send Regent’s Stroll straight to the Cheltenham Festival and swerve an outing in the Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown Park.
The 14-time champion trainer will tread a familiar path with the Walk In The Park gelding who will now head to the Grade Two Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase, which Nicholls claimed at last year’s with Caldwell Potter.
After proving too keen when finishing third on his debut over fences in the Grade Two Coral John Francome Novices’ Chase at Newbury, the seven-year-old then opened his account when settling much better to win a match race at Wincanton.
And although Regent’s Stroll had to settle for second best on his most recent start in a novices’ handicap chase over an extended two and a half miles at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day, Nicholls believes he will be much better when returning to the track in March.
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Nicholls said: “After discussing things with his owners, Regent's Stroll will now go straight to the Cheltenham Festival.
“He won’t go to the Scilly Isles as Sandown next weekend as it will be pretty testing and not many will want that ground.
“Although he is in Brown Advisory he will go to the race Caldwell Potter won last year and hopefully we can do what he did and then go on to Aintree.
“He has had three quick runs over fences so he has got the experience. He has actually come down a pound for his last run so he is on a nice mark.
"Hopefully, come spring there is more to come, and I will have him ready for his life for this."
Regent's Stroll is 12/1 with Sky Bet and Paddy Power for the Jack Richards Novices' Handicap Chase.
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