Paul Nicholls believes Sandown will play to Sanctuaire's strengths when his exciting second-season chaser takes on Sprinter Sacre in the Sportingbet Tingle Creek Chase on Saturday week.
The six-year-old was a talented but quirky performer over hurdles but was a revelation when switched to the larger obstacles last term. He won his three starts by an aggregate of 74 lengths, with his last two victories coming at the Surrey track.
"Sprinter Sacre is an extremely talented horse but so is Sanctuaire," said the champion trainer, who has won the Tingle Creek eight times.
Although he is facing his toughest task to date against Arkle Trophy hero Sprinter Sacre, unbeaten in five starts over fences, Nicholls is bullish about his six-year-old's prospects.
He said: "They are only 3lb apart so I have no idea how it will pan out but I know that it is going to be an interesting race.
"When he won at Sandown in April, I knew he'd run well before the race, but it really was awesome the way he won.
"Sandown is the perfect course for front-running two-mile chasers and so it was obvious for us to come back with him for the Sportingbet Tingle Creek Chase.
"We've had a little trouble with him in the past at the start of races, but since he has been going over fences he has been grand at the start so I am not too worried about him in that respect.
"The trick with him is to run him when he is very fit and very fresh and he will certainly be both those next Saturday."
19 June 2013
Perfect Annecdote at AscotGodolphin swoop for Libertarian
Doyle hits treble top on Rizeena
Doyle fits the bill in Hunt Cup
Toronado pointed towards Goodwood
O'Brien keeps faith in Camelot
Kazeem crowned Prince of Ascot
Cambridge Dun and dusted
Perfect Ten in Jersey
Plenty of rain needed for Approval
Banoffee pencilled in for Haydock
Classic rematch in Coronation
Guest has excellent chance
Brittain sweet on Rizeena
Team O'Brien hope for perfect Ten
Chigun aiming for Cambridge glory
Camelot bids for redemption
O'Neill ace proves too sharp
Ballydoyle in command in Coventry
Dawn delivers in thriller
Sole powers to sprint glory
O'Brien sounds War cry
18 June 2013
Stevens is king of the CastleAl Thani snaps up Sandiva
Minute's silence remembers Cecil
Duntle on Cambridge duty
Alive and Just in Ribblesdale mix
Passage heads Gold field
Deegan considers Soprano options
Toro out for Palace glory
Cecil's words not lost on Ponsonby
Dawn out for Palace redemption
Hawkwood supplemented for Hardwicke
Flotilla To Drop Back In Trip
Cecil's Chigun in Cambridge action
Al Kazeem and Camelot clash again
De Kock hoping to make history
War ready for Royal Ascot battle
Kingdom set to reign over Ascot
17 June 2013
Magician set for Palace showdownCat clings on for Carroll
Three more winners for Lady Cecil
Monaghan delivers on Midnight
Treve in stunning Diane win
Sapphire target for Trees
Beckett mulls Secret options
Nicholls has broken wrist
16 June 2013
Songbird aiming to fly highMovie has Newmarket on radar
Fahey juveniles primed for action
Stubbs leads O'Brien Coventry team
Salsify on summer break
Kempton target for Benbulben
Top trio head Palace runners
Shea Shea shoots for Stand glory
Animal heads Queen Anne field
Saint-Cloud aim for Dunaden
Magician to be declared for Palace
Soul all heart in York sprint
Kingsgate rules Musselburgh
Sam too sharp for rivals
Hughes makes it pay with Knight
Balding on mark with double
Morawij in a hurry in Scurry
Bartley is queen for a day
Big guns to clash in Coronation