Nicholls to rely on Silence

Arkle hope St Pirran misses this Saturday's Extraman Trophy at Sandown, leaving just stablemate Silence Reigns - from the same owner-trainer combination of Graham Roach and Paul Nicholls - to advertise his Cheltenham Festival claims at the Esher track.

Their Ditcheat handler, who saddled Flagship Uberalles to win the 1999 Arkle, has decided St Pirran needs a confidence-booster after unseating rider Timmy Murphy at Cheltenham last time out. He runs instead at Exeter this Friday.

But Silence Reigns justified Nicholls' faith in his chasing potential when winning by an authoritative 11 lengths on his debut at Chepstow last Thursday and now steps up in class for Sandown's Grade Two novices' event.

"Silence Reigns was sidelined all last season and, although that's not seen as so long these days, I was keen to get that win under his belt. He always jumped hurdles like a chaser and he ought to be very good," Nicholls said.

"St Pirran has won at Exeter before. It's a big, galloping track and, although the race probably looks as hot as the Extraman Trophy, it was Sandown's tricky Railway fences I'm keen to avoid with him after his last run."

Wantage trainer Henrietta Knight must choose between the same two events for mare, Returning. Her decision will depend on where fellow trainer Martin Pipe sends Royal Auclair, who looked a smart recruit to chasing despite falling, 15 lengths clear of some useful rivals, at Chepstow last time out.

"If Royal Auclair runs at Sandown, Returning will go to Exeter on Friday instead," said Knight.

"Then she's due a long rest because she's had a busy campaign already, winning all four of her starts this season so far. Wherever she runs this week, it will be her last for a good while."

Yet, even if Returning were to win Sandown's prestigious Henry VII Chase, Knight all but ruled out the Arkle. "The problem is she's better racing right-handed, the opposite way round to Cheltenham. We'll think about it, but I'd say it's unlikely," she warned. Stablemate Be My Manager does not run in either Sandown's Future Stars Chase this Friday or Chepstow's Rehearsal Chase the following day. Knight, still worried that the gelding's mysteriously lacklustre reappearance at Cheltenham in October has left a lasting mark, has strict conditions in mind for his next run.

"After his last start at Kempton, when he only ran because I wanted to get another race into him, I'm sure he needs a left-handed track and three miles. Sandown isn't quite suitable and it will probably be too wet for him at Chepstow," she said. "But he's still remembering Cheltenham - he's clever like that." Knight's Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup eighth, Hati Roy, remains on course for Chepstow's Welsh National on 27 December, provided the ground isn't too heavy.