'This will suit him better' - surprise new destination for unbeaten chaser

Nobody cares about the phone bill when there is a Cheltenham race to win – ask Paul Nicholls, who was on the line for "about three hours" before deciding to switch targets with Next Destination.

Wednesday's Brown Advisory Novices' Chase had long looked the aim for the Malcolm Denmark-owned nine-year-old, who was vying for second favouritism behind odds-on market leader Monkfish.

But the 11-time champion jumps trainer sprang something of a surprise by declaring him for Tuesday's Sam Vestey National Hunt Novices' Chase over six furlongs further.

Cheltenham Tuesday cards and betting

Next Destination, unbeaten in two chases this season, is a best-priced 9-2 second favourite for the Grade 2 contest – in which the Gold Cup-bound Royale Pagaille is a notable absentee.

Nicholls said on Sunday: "I spent about three hours on the phone with Malcolm last night discussing it and going through all the facts.

"There are a lot of reasons. We entered two races to give us the options and the ground is drying a fraction and probably the slowest ground will be the first day, which will suit him. If the ground had been soft I'd have been quite keen to go for what was the RSA but I think three miles on goodish ground might be a bit sharp for him, whereas the three miles six will suit him better.

"Venetia's [Williams, trainer of Royale Pagaille] horse heads to the Gold Cup, which gave it a bit more of an open look, and weighing up all the facts we felt the best chance of winning was probably this race. Monkfish does look solid as well, doesn't he?"

The National Hunt Chase will have its joint-lowest field since the Second World War as just 13 horses were declared – matching the 1993 turnout.

The Willie Mullins-trained Youmdor will run in Tuesday's Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, rather than wait for Friday's JCB Triumph Hurdle in which Max McNeill's colours will be carried by ante-post favourite Tritonic.

The owner, who also has Her Indoors in the 22-runner Boodles, said on Sunday: "I had a chat with Willie last night and he had a talk with Ruby [Walsh] and the team and they were leaning towards the Boodles.

Youmdor: 'Willie, you know best!'Credit: Patrick McCann

"He asked what my response was and I said 'Willie, you know best!'. We were happy either way as we have runners already in the Boodles and in the Triumph."

Shishkin will face just five rivals in the Sporting Life Arkle Chase, while a 16-runner field for the Ultima Handicap Chase is the smallest line-up since 2008.

With Callum Bewley suspended, Richard Johnson partners Ladbrokes Trophy and Sky Bet Chase runner-up Aye Right in the Ultima and said: "He's a lovely ride to pick up. His run in the Ladbrokes Trophy behind Cloth Cap, now he's come out and won well at Kelso the other day, that form is very solid.

"He also ran very well at Doncaster. He's high in the weights because his form is so good but he's one of the class horses running in the Ultima and I think he goes there with a really strong chance in a very competitive race."

Concertista, Roksana and Dame De Compagnie were among 11 runners declared for the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle.

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