Trainer Harry Whittington will be closely observing the weather forecast for Sandown over the coming days, as it will determine whether his stable star Rouge Vif will be running in the Grade One Tingle Creek Chase.
Rouge Vif looks to be a solid contender in the two mile chase division this season having made his seasonal debut at Cheltenham in October and bolted up off top weight in a decent handicap event.
Since then Whittington has been planning his next event, with soft conditions scuppering him going to the Grade Two Shloer Chase, he now looks to be stepping into Grade One company on Saturday.
The six year old will be taking on the likes of Altior for Nicky Henderson and Politologue for Paul Nicholls who have both won the event in the past.
Quality performance!
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) October 23, 2020
Arkle third Rouge Vif makes a fine return with a fantastic success in the £50,000 highlight for @Harry_Whitt and @Dazjacob10 at @CheltenhamRaces 👏
Results & free replays ➡ https://t.co/GI57hUtDeF pic.twitter.com/W7p3hNe85y
This horse has shown how good he can be, finishing third in the Arkle last season and if getting his desired good ground looks to be one to follow and his trainer thinks so aswell.
(Credit ATR) He said: “Rouge Vif is in great form and firmly on course for the Tingle Creek Chase on Saturday.
“We would obviously rather have our conditions, given we are taking on the likes of Altior, so better ground will be important to him. I think if the ground remains as it is, we would be hopeful of a good run.
“If Sandown got plenty of rain then that would put his participation in doubt, but at the moment he is a definite runner if the weather holds – and it is something we are really looking forward to.
“These are the races you dream about running in. To have a horse capable of running in a big Grade One like the Tingle Creek against a horse of Altior’s calibre is hugely exciting. Hopefully, we don’t get too much rain, and it should be a very exciting race.”