Paul Nicholls Admits Saturday Will Tell Him Dynamite Dollars' Cheltenham Plans

Paul Nicholls has admitted that the return of Dynamite Dollars this weekend will tell him everything he needs to know about what race his Grade One Novice Hurdle winner will be entered into at the Cheltenham festival.

The seven year old is having his first run in almost a year after picking up an injury last season just before the Cheltenham festival where he was the current Arkle favourite ahead of the Grade One at Prestbury Park.

He will take on the superstar Altior on his reappearance in the Game Spirit Chase on Saturday at Newbury and his trainer is looking at whether he will good enough to then head to the Champion Chase at the festival or step up in trip for the Ryanair Chase.

Dynamite Dollars has won four of his five starts over fences including an impressive Grade One win in the Henry VIII Novices Chase at Sandown.

Having not been seen since January 2019 is a worry with him probably needing his first run of the season but his trainer is very much looking forward to seeing his novice star back on track at Newbury.

(Credit Racing Post) Nicholls said:"It's great to have him back.

"He needs a day out and will need the run. It will tell us if he's good enough for a Champion Chase, whether we go for a Ryanair or find a handicap for him.

"It strikes me he'll improve on anything he does on Saturday. He has schooled well and I can't do anymore except give him a run. Altior will be hard to beat but this was the obvious race to put him in.

"He's a tank of a horse. He's not like Cyrname or other lean and light horses who you can easily get fit. I've done a lot with him."

Dynamite Dollars is currently 33/1 for the Champion Chase on the Wednesday of the festival but also has an entry in the Ryanair where he is a bigger 40/1 and if he performs to a high standard both those prices could be a thing of the past.