Wednesday 8 November 2017 12:45, UK
Paul Nicholls has had a change of heart regarding Romain De Senam and is now targeting the BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham on November 18.
Nicholls initially ruled out a crack at the valuable handicap, believing it would be too much to ask of the five-year-old.
However, after shooting up the ratings for two quick wins in October, the plan has now changed. He is due to carry 10st 12lb and could be joined by several stablemates.
"I will go to Cheltenham with him now," said Nicholls.
"I originally thought we would go to Kempton then the December Gold Cup at Cheltenham. On the way he has won his last two starts, we have got to go there now and the intention is to run in it.
"They might want to run Le Prezien (11st 3lb) in it, but I don't know. Sametegal (10st 11lb) could go there as well. He ran nicely at Wetherby the other day but just came up against one."
Nicholls has won the race twice, as has Nigel Twiston-Davies who is aiming Foxtail Hill at a return to the track after scoring three last month.
"Foxtail Hill (11st) will head to Cheltenham for the BetVictor Gold Cup, all being well," said Twiston-Davies.
"It was a very good performance at the last meeting and he has come out of that race 100 per cent fine.
"He surprised us a little bit with what he did over two miles as we have always thought two and a half miles is his best trip.
"I hope he has a good chance next week. It tends to suit horses who were novices the season before, but he has already won a couple of big handicaps at Cheltenham and looks high enough in the weights.
"Ballybolley (11st 3lb) is going to Aintree on Saturday for a handicap chase. If he ran really well there, he could go to Cheltenham too but I would say that is unlikely."
The weights are headed by Cloudy Dream (11st 12lb), Top Gamble and Politologue but the latter, trained by Nicholls, is now bound for the Tingle Creek after his win in the Haldon Gold Cup on Tuesday.
Alan Fleming's Festival winner Tully East (11st 1lb), Waiting Patiently (11st 9lb), Kylemore Lough (11st 7lb) and Go Conquer (11st 4lb) are some of the other names to note.
