Fago can go far if he passes Arkle test

Formerly called The Kingmaker Novices’ Chase, this Grade 2 contest over two miles boasts a number of famous names among its past winners including the 2007 champion chaser Voy Por Ustedes and the Nicky Henderson-trained pair of Long Run and Finian’s Rainbow.

Long Run was successful in 2010 before going on to beat Denman by seven lengths in the following year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup, while Finian’s Rainbow took the 2011 running en route to scoring in last season’s Sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase.

One horse who could follow in their footsteps is the ex-French chaser Fago, who made a winning debut in this country at Newbury last month.

Purchased privately by owner Graham Wylie, who splits his string between Paul Nicholls in Britain and Willie Mullins in Ireland, Fago lived up to his high reputation with a smooth success.

Immediately after the race, Dan Skelton, assistant to Nicholls, nominated the Arkle Trophy or the Jewson Novices’ Chase as Fago’s Cheltenham Festival targets, with a run in the Kingmaker as a stepping stone.

Also among the entries is David Pipe’s His Excellency, who would have a good chance on his third to Sanctuaire at Kempton Park, but ran disappointingly at Cheltenham last time out.

Dual winner Majala is another who could go close, but the one likely to give Fago most to do is the progressive Drumshambo.

His latest success in Wetherby’s Castleford Chase was the third in a row and Venetia Williams’ charge may not have come to the end of his winning run yet.

There are 16 entries for the £32,000 Warwick Racecourse Handicap Chase (Class 2) over an extended two-and- a-half miles, including the 2011 Grand National winner Ballabriggs and last season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up The Giant Bolster.

Champion Court ran a blinder to be fourth to Long Run in Kempton’s King George VI Chase on Boxing Day, but is likely to run at Kempton Park tomorrow afternoon instead.

Calgary Bay is a high-class performer on his day, but all would have to give weight to Drumshambo, should his trainer opt to run in this race rather than the novice event.

The action starts at 12.55pm with the Download The Free Racing Plus App Handicap Hurdle (Jockey Club Grassroots Series Qualifier) over two miles and course winner Dormouse, trained at Wilmcote by Anabel Murphy, would be an interesting contender.

On Monday, the British Horseracing Authority added a new race to the Warwick card, the Grade 2 OLBG.com Mares’ Hurdle, to be run over two miles and three furlongs, and this will now be the second, due off at 1.30pm.

The initiative has been rewarded with 23 entries, including three from the Mullins stable in Tarla, Dr Machini and Reine Angevine, another Irish entry in Mae’s choice, as well as the unbeaten Swing Bowler from the Pipe yard.

The meeting closes with the Connolly’s Red Mills Bumper Challenge Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race at 4.55pm.