Solzen set for fencing bow

My Way De Solzen faces six rivals as the Ladbrokes World Hurdle winner makes his eagerly-awaited chasing debut at Lingfield tomorrow.

Connections have no fear about dropping the six-year-old down in trip to two miles for the first time since the 2005 Cheltenham Festival in the Arena Leisure plc Beginners’ Chase.

They believe he has enough pace to be effective at shorter distances and the rain-softened ground will be in his favour.

“He’s in very good form and his schooling has been good too. His jumping has been very competent and he looks a natural,” said trainer Alan King.

“The ground is soft so we’ll have no worries on that score.

“We’re dropping him back to two miles as he’s always had plenty of pace. We’ll see what happens tomorrow, it should be interesting.”

Opposition is headed by the Paul Nicholls-trained Blu Teen while David Pipe saddles Bongo Fury and Hughie Morrison runs Gentleman Jimmy.

The field is completed by Kim Bailey’s Ballybean, Donald McCain’s Regal Heights and Irish raider Up Above, trained by Shane Donohoe.