Flying machine handed Ascot aim

Air Force One is set for an early clash with Joe Lively in the John Smith’s Reynoldstown Chase at Ascot on February 16.

The two smart novice chasers are at the head of the betting for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at the Cheltenham Festival next month but are on course to meet in the Grade Two event in Berkshire first.

Charlie Mann’s Air Force One chased home Wichita Lineman at the Festival last year, proving he acts at Prestbury Park.

“He’s going to run a week on Saturday at Ascot in the Reynoldstown, that’s the plan anyway,” said Mann.

“They all seem to be going there and it’s like a mini SunAlliance, but he is in very good form and I’d like to get one more run in to him before Cheltenham.

“I’ll probably have a few sleepless nights along the way and if the ground got too quick up the straight at Ascot we would probably go straight to Cheltenham. I’m not that worried about him having another run.

“He’s very good. I read something yesterday with somebody saying they didn’t think he was up to it but they are forgetting he was 140-rated over hurdles and was second at the Festival last year.

“The way he won at Fontwell the other day was very impressive and he couldn’t do any more than he has done.

“It will be a bigger test. He’ll have to take on Joe Lively at Ascot but I think he is up to it.”

Air Force One and Joe Lively are 8-1 joint-favourites for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase with Paddy Power.