Petit Robin can show festival form at Ascot

PETIT Robin can confirm himself as one of the leading contenders for the Cheltenham Festival with victory in Ascot's Victor Chandler Chase this afternoon.

Nicky Henderson's seven-year-old is one of the emerging talents in the two-mile field and enjoyed an excellent first full season over fences when third in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham last season. He also chased home Master Minded in this Grade One event last year, finishing a 16-length second behind an undoubted superstar, but he went off the boil when well out of contention on his final start at Aintree.

Henderson did not rush him back into action this term either, side-stepping a couple of possible early targets to wait for Kempton over the festive period. That patience paid off with a commanding performance in Grade Two company, easily holding the reopposing Well Chief by just under four lengths.

Petit Robin was always in the front rank that day and shrugged off a mistake at the last to show he is really starting to come of age.

He faces a top-class rival in Paul Nicholls' Twist Magic but that horse has disappointed here before and Petit Robin is the value option with Tony McCoy doing the steering.

Nicholls admitted: "He was beaten in the race two years ago, which is a slight concern. He looked a certainty and got beat, but he also ran a shocker in the Champion Chase that year. He also won well the last day, but Ascot and Sandown are different tracks. You can freewheel around Sandown, but it is a stiff climb from Swinley Bottom to the line at Ascot."

Henderson should also be on the mark at Haydock as reigning champion Punjabi will take some beating in the sportingbet.com Champion Hurdle Trial.

Diamond Harry is one to stay on the right side of as he makes his fencing bow in the sportingbet.com Altcar Novices' Chase, while Prince De Beauchene is the choice in the big staying race, the Peter Marsh Chase. Howard Johnson has his horses in fine fettle and there was much to like about Prince De Beauchene's debut second at Carlisle in November.

Wincanton also race over the sticks and Charlie Mann can be in the money courtesy of the consistent Tarquinius in the feature Wincanton Cup Handicap Chase.

Autumn Blades is something of a character but he can strike gold as he steps up in company for the View Our 2010 Fixtures At lingfieldpark.co.uk Handicap at the Surrey track.