Papini primes for Dipper

Papini, who fell when holding every chance on his last visit to Cheltenham, goes on a retrieval mission in the Utopia Group “Dipper” Novices’ Chase there tomorrow.

Nicky Henderson’s charge was a close third when coming down at the penultimate fence in a two-mile heat won by Moon Over Miami at the November meeting.

He was putting in his best work at the finish when third to Hobbs Hill over two and a half miles at Newbury on his only subsequent start and tackles an extra furlong this time. “You would think this trip would suit him and he’s in good order,” said Henderson.

Papini is among a field of five for the Grade Two contest which was won 12 months ago by My Way De Solzen, who went on to land the Arkle Trophy at the Festival.

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls saddles Predateur with recent Exeter scorer Lead On representing Philip Hobbs.

Nicholls has high hopes for his four-year-old after the French-bred ran well when finishing second in the race in which Papini came to grief.

Although Predateur could finish only fourth at the track earlier in December, Nicholls is expecting a bold show tomorrow.

“He ran nicely at the last meeting but he made a bad mistake at the top of the hill which didn’t really help him at all,” said the trainer.

“He’s been fine since though and we think he will have a big chance tomorrow.”

Nigel Twiston-Davies runs Nudge And Nurdle while Okaido, trained in France by Arnaud Chaille-Chaille and unbeaten in both his starts over fences, completes the line-up.