Richard Johnson seeking Champagne West celebration

Richard Johnson is confident Champagne West has a "great chance" of getting back on the winning trail in the Betfred TV Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown today.

The Philip Hobbs-trained seven-year-old posted two impressive displays on his first couple of starts over fences at Cheltenham in November and December, but found Ptit Zig too strong when chasing a Prestbury Park hat-trick on New Year’s Day.

Johnson believes there was no disgrace in that defeat and expects another bold show in Saturday’s Grade One feature.