Alan King's stable star Edwardstone has been withdrawn on both of his proposed seasonal debuts this term, but having now had a proper work out at Lambourn in Nicky Henderson's gallops, he is primed for the Grade One Tingle Creek.
The gelding was exceptional last season going over fences, having a slight hiccup on debut when being bought down at Warwick when travelling well, next time out he put things right over the same C&D when taking a decent two mile Novices' Chase.
Stepped up to Grade One company next time out he went on to improve once more to land the Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown, seeing off his closes rivals War Lord and Third Time Lucki by 16 lengths.
With the second and third since going on to frank the form, Edwardstone went to Kempton and also boosted it by making it a hat-trick of wins when landing the Grade Two Wayward Lad Novices' Chase.
He made it four in a row next time out at Warwick in the Grade Two Kingmaker Novices' Chase when easily seeing off Third Time Lucki again.
Sent off favourite for the Arkle at the Cheltenham festival he was an emphatic winner of the race under a great ride by Tom Cannon.
Edwardstone - imperious in the Arkle for Alan King & @tomcannon2 @CheltenhamRaces
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 15, 2022
🏆 G1 Sporting Life Arkle Novices' Chase
🏆 G1 Henry VIII Novices' Chase
🏆 G2 Wayward Lad Novices' Chase
🏆 G2 Kingmaker Novices' Chase#CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/iWXTwaO3FU
Looking to finish the season off with a third Grade One and sixth straight win he found Gentleman De Mee too good in the Maghull Novices’ Chase at Aintree’s Grand National meeting.
This term having been declared for both the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham and Jim Barry Wines Hurst Handicap Chase at Ascot but on account of the ground was twice withdrawn.
(Credit ATR) “Edwardstone has been to Lambourn today and had a proper workout,” said King.
"Nicky very kindly let me go and use his grass gallops this morning and all went very well.
“I would imagine he would have to go to the Tingle Creek now, if all goes according to plan between now and then.”
“We are coming off what has been the driest summer and autumn since ’76,” he added.
“I remember they didn’t race at Cheltenham until New Year’s Day that year. Every meeting was transferred because it was too firm, so it is not unprecedented. It has been a long time, but it does happen.”