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Grey in good shape ahead of bid to regain Tingle Creek crown.

Paul Nicholls is looking forward to taking on Defi Du Seuil  again when Politologue bids to regain his Betfair Tingle Creek Chase crown at Sandown next week.

The John Hales-owned grey lifted the Grade One prize in 2017 and was most recently seen finishing second to the Philip Hobbs-trained Defi Du Seuil in the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham's November meeting.

Champion trainer Nicholls is expecting plenty of improvement from that length-and-a-quarter reverse, where he was giving the winner 3lb.

"I was very pleased with Politologue at Cheltenham, he ran a really sound race. He had to make his own running and he will definitely be better in a stronger run race," he said.

"Sandown suits him well, the softer the better, so I'm really looking forward to a rematch with Defi Du Seuil off level weights.

"I think he is very good over two miles, he ran very well at Cheltenham last time, he was second in the Champion Chase at the Festival last season. He is versatile, he could still win over two and a half miles, but for now we are going to stick to two miles.

"He has got to take on Defi Du Seuil, who beat him the other day, but he is 3lb better off. Un De Sceaux might run as well. I hope he does because he always makes it a good sound gallop.

"I think we are in really good shape, I think the horse is as well as he has ever been and Sandown will suit him very well."