Elixir De Nutz sets up Cheltenham conundrum after 'perfect' success

Friday: Kempton

Colin Tizzard faces a welcome dilemma as he plots the next target for Elixir De Nutz after the Grade 1 winner stormed to success at Kempton on Friday.

The eight-year-old scored by 13 lengths in the 2m2f novice limited handicap chase under Brendan Powell in a "perfect" performance according to trainer Tizzard, who had already begun mulling his options over as the gelding entered the winner's enclosure.

"He was a good horse as a novice hurdler but had issues with his leg and he's looked awkward for the last year until today," Tizzard said.

"He's got options now. Brendan rode him like a good horse and it's a pleasure to see him back like this.

"He looked so well in himself when we put the saddle on him today, his whole manner was that of a proper horse. You don't always see that every morning. He walked through the second-last at Plumpton last time, but today he was perfect. We've seen a totally different horse."

The 2019 Tolworth winner will now head to Cheltenham but Tizzard faces a choice between the Grand Annual or a more ambitious bid for the Arkle, for which he was cut to 25-1 with Paddy Power following Friday's success.

"The Grand Annual was the plan until we saw him do what he did today," Tizzard said.

"Are we getting carried away with today's performance? We have to remember he's a Grade 1 winner, it's always been in the tank.

"The Grand Annual may be more sensible, but sensibility doesn't work in this job because no one really knows what's going to happen next. No one saw that coming, and he could be straight back up to his best."

The victory was also a welcome return to Kempton's winners' enclosure for Powell, who claimed a double on the day to land his first win at the course in over seven years.

Success with the Tizzard-trained Killer Kane in the 3m novice handicap chase ended a 2,672-day drought at the course for Powell, who is enjoying his best-ever season with 49 wins.

Flegmatik clears the field to land Dan Skelton's 100th winner of the seasonCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Skelton century

Dan Skelton became the fourth trainer to land a century this season when Flegmatik ran home a decisive winner in the 3m handicap chase.

The trainer was absent from Kempton for the landmark success, but he was hailed by brother Harry, who steered the seven-year-old to his first victory of the season by seven and a half lengths.

"It's a testament to the team really," Harry Skelton said.

"Everyone puts in a lot of hard work and we're led by a great leader in Dan. He drives the bus and we've had a good season, and the horses are running well so we'll keep kicking along.

"He sets a good example for us all. You need to work hard to get results and we instil that into our staff because that's the way we were brought up. You're always trying to get that century as a team. I'm a few behind so I better catch up."

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