In Excelesis Deo needs to open his account for the season in the Matt Hampson Foundation Silver Trophy Handicap Chase at Cheltenham if he is willing to win.
The six-year-old, owned by JP McManus, has not won since making his successful British and chasing debut for Harry Fry at Hereford in December 2022, but he has run well in a number of races but in defeat, so his trainer believes a turnaround is in order.
Having finished second in his first two starts of the current campaign at Cheltenham, the Saddex gelding could have won the race at Sandown if he hadn't defeated Jonathan Burke at the last fence.
Even after being hindered by a faller four fences from home, he performed admirably to come as close as he did when he finished fifth at the Cheltenham Festival last month.
Excelsis Deo has more than enough potential to win Wednesday's Grade Two feature if getting the rub of the green.
“He bumped into Madara in December, who then went and won at the Dublin Racing Festival, and we obviously unseated when with every chance at the last at Sandown on his next run,” said the trainer. “I think it’s fair to say he hasn’t necessarily had luck on his side or the rub of the green this season, but he’s been running well in defeat and, with a bit of luck in running, hopefully, he won’t be too far away in this”.
Dan Skelton and Paul Nicholls, who are both chasing titles, are entered in the £70,000 race. Skelton will be riding Sail Away, while Nicholls will be running Il Ridoto, the course and distance winner.
While Il Ridoto has placed in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, the December Gold Cup, and on Festival Trials day at Cheltenham this season, he could only finish eighth in the Plate on his most recent visit. Sail Away returns to handicap company after finishing last of four in the Grade One Ascot Chase.
“He’s a standing dish at Cheltenham and usually runs very well in these two-and-a-half-mile handicaps,” Nicholls told Betfair. “It didn’t quite happen for him last time at the Festival when he was towards the rear in the early stages before staying on at the finish. He has his chance, but is probably still on a stiff enough handicap mark.”