Nicky Henderson will step up the Cheltenham preparations of his 7-year-old chaser Brain Power this weekend when he sends him to contest the Royal Salute Whiskey Clarence House Chase at Ascot.
The newly-wedded trainer will be hoping a nice run there on Saturday can be part of an ideal - if unusual - preparation for tilt at the Arkle at the festival in March.
Brain Power, a classy hurdler in past campaigns, was very taking on his first start over the bigger obstacles at Kempton and was chalked up as a strong contender for the Arkle at an early stage.
His next race was in the Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown, where he was held by Sceau Royal when coming a cropper.
He’ll be aiming for a £150,000 pound prize on his return to the racecourse but will have Willie Mullins’ Un De Sceaux, who has won this race the last two years running, in opposition.
Speaking on his Unibet blog, Henderson explained the reasons for the move.
“It will be against the older horses, but you usually only get four or five runners and with Un De Sceaux a possible contender, the race is likely to be run at a decent gallop. He wants dropping in and doesn't want to be doing silly things like going out and making the running like he did at Sandown.
“He jumps excellent and schools great so I've got no worries on that front. The Arkle is obviously where we'd like to end up."
Punters have been keen to support this endeavour, backing Henderson’s gelding in from an early price of 8/1 to as short as 9/4 in places at the time of writing.
He’s currently an 8/1 shot for the Arkle behind 13/8f Footpad.
