Tat still on Arkle trail

Paul Nicholls will still send Tataniano straight for March’s Irish Independent Arkle Trophy despite a disappointing defeat at Newbury on Friday.

The champion trainer regretted running his smart prospect in a three-runner race at the Berkshire track and blamed the deep ground for his narrow loss to Suntini at odds of 2-11.

A taking winner of his two previous starts, Tataniano’s price for the Arkle virtually doubled in the aftermath.

“He’s fine this morning, it was just the ground,” said Nicholls. “At least he’s had a run – the horses that went up to Doncaster today haven’t - and he’ll still go for the Arkle.”