Coleman handed Santini ride

Jockey Aidan Coleman will ride Santini for the first time in Saturday’s rearranged Cotswold Chase at Sandown.

The blue-ribband warm-up has been salvaged from last weekend’s abandoned Trials Day at Cheltenham and last year’s Gold Cup runner-up Santini is one of three genuine top-notchers set to compete, with Bristol De Mai and Native River having also been confirmed.

Santini will have a new rider for Saturday’s race, as trainer Nicky Henderson has confirmed Coleman will be in the saddle, with regular rider Nico de Boinville instead set to take the mount of Champ in the Denman Chase at Newbury next week.

Both horses are scheduled to run for Henderson in next month’s Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival and the 70-year-old feels this is the best way to cover all bases ahead of that race.

“We’re keeping all options open really because we’ve got Champ to come out next weekend,” Henderson was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

“The idea is that Aidan will then know Santini, Nico will ride Champ next week and then everything is covered – that’s the gist of the plan.

“Hopefully all horses return safe and sound and are on course for March, and they can both run in the Gold Cup and then I’ve got two jockeys.

“It’s for obvious reasons, Nico obviously knows Santini very well already, so it was an opportunity for Aidan to get to know him.”