Paul Nicholls sweet on sparkling Saphir Du Rheu

Views from connections ahead of the Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Paul Nicholls believes Saphir Du Rheu can show he can go right to the top with a big show in the Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

The Ditcheat trainer is already dreaming of a tilt at the Betfred Cheltenham Gold in 2016 with the five-year-old, who got off the mark over fences with as easy win at Exeter three weeks ago.

That performance erased the memory of an inauspicious first effort over the bigger obstacles when he fell at Newbury.

Now, Nicholls is hoping Saphir Du Rheu can take the next step on the way to glory in this three-mile Grade One, formerly known as the Feltham and run in memory of Nigel Clark, for which all seven confirmations stood their ground at the final declaration stage.

"I was amazed at the amount of people who were crabbing him when he jumped six fences at Newbury when he was just keen and exuberant, got in a bit tight to one and lost Sam (Twiston-Davies) - but he jumped really well," said Nicholls.

"That was his first run over fences and on their first run you want them to be a bit novicey over their fences and not too brave. We schooled OK and he jumped fantastic at Exeter."

He added: "Andy (Stewart, owner) asked me what the plan was, the RSA? I said my plan is to work back from the 2016 Gold Cup.

"I'm probably aiming high and dreaming but you've got to have dreams in this game.

"The RSA is possible but I'm not committing him as we might miss Cheltenham and go to Aintree, I want to do what is right by him and we'll see what happens.

"Obviously he is only five, he's a big horse but his future is rosy."

Nicholls has a second string to his bow in Virak, who completed a hat-trick over fences when scoring at Doncaster earlier this month.

Coneygree was the beneficiary of Saphir Du Rheu's demise at Newbury when coming home a ready winner from Dell' Arca on what was his fencing debut after he had been controversially withdrawn at Plumpton.

"We need to take a chance like this to see how good he is," said Bradstock's wife and assistant, Sara.

"It's a proper race but his form would be as good as any. We're taking on Saphir Du Rheu so let's hope we can outjump him again.

"Paul Nicholls is very keen on him so he must be a very good horse.

"Coneygree is not a flashy work horse, so we can't say we've got the next Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, but on the other hand he's never done anything wrong on the racecourse.

"The day he got beat by The New One at Cheltenham it came after a freeze-up and he needs plenty of work."

Martin Keighley took the spoils last year with Annacotty and looks to Creepy repeating that success.

Keighley is praying for decent ground at the Sunbury venue after Creepy got stuck in the mud at Cheltenham last time when he unseated Richard Johnson in the race won by Kings Palace.

"It's vital he gets decent ground. Looking at the race there's not a great deal between them on the ratings, so we go there with a live chance," said the Condicote trainer.

"Richard Johnson said at Cheltenham the ground was so soft and deep there the horse just wasn't happy on it.

"His previous run at Chepstow was very impressive. He goes there really fresh and well and hoping for a big run. Hopefully it will be nice ground and that will suit him."

Carraig Mor's trainer Alan King would not be disappointed if the heavens opened at Kempton.

King has always held the six-year-old in the highest regard but after winning on his first start for the yard he was beginning to look a little disappointing.

Since being sent over fences this season, however, he has started to repay the faith and a fine chasing debut at Exeter was followed up by a win over the smart Southfield Theatre in Grade Two company at Newbury in November.

The Barbury Castle handler is nonetheless well aware this represents a step up in class, taking on the likes of Saphir Du Rheu and Coneygree, but King believes this is the next natural step to take.

The trainer told his website, www.alankingracing.co.uk: "This will be a big step up in class from Newbury, but I was happy how accurately he jumped there and he loved the soft ground, so should it be Mackintosh weather in the London area I won't be complaining.

"He is not yet the finished article, but he is improving mentally as well as physically, and this is the next step up the ladder."