Mambonumberfive of Steel Ally will taste defeat over fences for the first time in the Bet Smarter With Oddschecker Kingmaker Novices’ Chase on Saturday.
Ben Pauling’s Mambonumberfive is three from three over the bigger obstacles, completing his hat-trick in the Grade Two Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase at Kempton in late December, while the Sam Thomas-trained Steel Ally impressed by winning at Carlisle and in the Grade Two Noel Novices’ Chase at Ascot.
Steel Ally is rated 4lb higher than Mambonumberfive but concedes 2lb to its great rival, and bookmakers are struggling to split the pair ahead of their intriguing weekend clash.
Speaking about Mambo number five, Pauling said: “It will be great for him because he is so optimistic at home and it is important to face him again before Cheltenham otherwise he would arrive there too fresh and good.
“It’s always been our plan and it’s obviously short on numbers, but Steel Ally is a very good horse and Mirabad is no slouch either, so it will be a very informative race to see where we sit. Hopefully we can get through this and then look forward to Cheltenham.”
“I’m sure it will be competitive but he will go there in great form.”
Mambonumberfive is a 14-1 odds on William Hill’s non-runner no bet market for the Arkle Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival, with Steel Ally slightly better odds at 16-1.
Thomas said: “The site will be tough work but we are really looking forward to it.
“He comes into the race fresh and I hope he can absorb all the blows.
“It’s a very hotly contested division but this time there’s not many of us. We’ve got to get this weekend out of the way and if that goes well then obviously Cheltenham would be very much in the picture if the owner (Dai Walters) wants to go there.”
The meeting is subject to a preventive inspection at 7:30 am.
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