News Kingmaker the aim for Harry Whittington's exciting Saint Calvados

Kingmaker the aim for Harry Whittington's exciting Saint Calvados

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Saint Calvados is on course to have his final race before heading for the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham in the Betway Kingmaker Novices' Chase at Warwick on Saturday.

The five-year-old, who has won both his starts over fences, also holds an entry in the Betfair Exchange Chase at Newbury in which Altior and Politologue are probable runners

However, that is extremely unlikely, with trainer Harry Whittington reporting his charge ready for the Warwick test for which there were just six entries after the race was re-opened.

"He'll run in the Kingmaker. We just made the other entry in case Warwick was off and the two big guns weren't going to run for any reason," said Whittington.

"If Warwick was to be off, he might go straight to Cheltenham anyway but we just thought we'd give him the entry at Newbury as well.

"He's in excellent form, he's fresh and well and is very straightforward to train."

Potential rivals are headed by Dan Skelton's North Hill Harvey, who was second to Sceau Royal in the Grade One Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown.

Harry Fry has put in Drumcliff, who is unbeaten in two starts over the bigger obstacles, while Tree Of Liberty, who chased home Saint Calvados at Newbury last month, may represent Kerry Lee.

Paul Nicholls has Diego Du Charmil, while the sextet is completed by the sole possible from Ireland, Saturnas from Willie Mullins' stable.