Unibet Desert Orchid Chase (Grade 2)

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 4m 7.0s

Politologue¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 165| C| D

8/15

Really come of age this term winning Exeter's Haldon Gold Cup before winning first Grade One in last month's Tingle Creek at Sandown. Flatter track no issue and apparently rerouted here as a result of outstanding homework.

Form: 214F-11

Special Tiara³⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: N D Fehily| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 163| CD

3/1

Reigning champion who also won this race last term in an outstanding campaign. 8¼L third to Fox Norton on return who Politologue subsequently beat in the Tingle Creek. Should come on for the run but younger rival hard to beat.

Form: 31512-3

Vaniteux^p¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 152| CD

25/1

Always came up just short of top class for Nicky Henderson and judged on four starts this term he is now further away than ever. Last in two of his last three starts and that likely again here.

Form: 14-7574

Forest Bihan⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: D A Jacob| T: B Ellison| OR: 157| D

6/1

Four wins in his novice campaign before an excellent second at Aintree (Politologue ahead when fell at last). Won on return at Kelso before pulled-up and clearly well below par behind Politologue at Exeter. Can do better than that.

Form: 1152-1P

Forecasts

Politologue (8/15), Special Tiara (3/1), Forest Bihan (6/1), Vaniteux (25/1)

The stars may well be aligning for POLITOLOGUE in this division and the apple of Paul Nicholls eye can take another step on the road to Cheltenham here by beating reigning champion Special Tiara. Based on the form of the pair's respective runs with Fox Norton this term the younger Politologue has plenty in hand. Forest Bihan needs to bounce back but there is no obvious reason he won't and connections will view this as a measuring stick for their young chaser.