Kadount books Cheltenham ticket

Kadount, considered an Arkle Trophy horse by trainer Alan King at the beginning of the season, kept his name in the frame for that prize when landing the coralpoker.com Kingmaker Novices’ Chase at Wincanton today.

The 2-1 joint-favourite was giving 3lb to his market rival Locksmith, but the writing was on the wall for the latter when he took a keen hold and made a couple of mistakes.

He eventually fell after being headed at the third-last fence.

Robert Thornton had not moved on Kadount, who was then allowed to stroll home unchallenged by six lengths from the rank outsider Roofing Spirit.

King is now torn between a run in the Arkle or the Grand Annual at Cheltenham, although the trainer is in no rush to commit his charge either way.

King said: “He’s rated 134 and we will have to see what the handicapper does. He will definitely be going to Cheltenham and it will be the Arkle or the two-mile handicap.

“He’s a very good workhorse at home but it’s taken me two years to really get to know him and my inclination is to keep him to the minimum distance.

“It was a strange old race but he’s won well and he’s only done two bits of work since his previous start at Uttoxeter.”

Paul Nicholls, out of luck with the disappointing Le Seychellois in the opener, provided the answer to the totescoop6 Handicap Chase with Almost Broke.

The top-weight (11-4) had hated the testing conditions and found the trip too far on his previous start here.

However, on this better ground and back to two miles five furlongs, Ruby Walsh’s mount inched home in a driving finish with Saucy Night.

The latter had just been headed when making a blunder at the second-last fence, but he fought back with such resolve that there was only a short head in it at the line.

Nicholls said: “He found three and a quarter miles on really heavy ground all against him last time but today, from having to fight for his position on the bend, he was much happier.

“He will be entered for the novices’ handicap chase over this trip at the Festival, but you really need everything in your favour at Cheltenham and he’s better going right-handed”.