Dual bid by Henderson in Tingle Creek clash

Nicky Henderson will be double-handed with Tiutchev and Get Real in Saturday's feature chase, the Mitsubishi Shogun Tingle Creek Trophy at Sandown.

Henderson reported last year's exciting Arkle winner, Tiutchev, in fine form after schooling at his Lambourn yard today, an exercise he hopes to repeat on Wednesday with preferred rider Mick Fitzgerald - currently recovering from a shoulder injury - on board.

"The plan is that Mick will ride out tomorrow and see how he feels. If that's okay, then he'll school for me on Wednesday and if that's okay, he'll ride at the weekend," said Henderson.

"I'm running Get Real as well because he has to race right-handed and his high rating doesn't give us many options for him. Johnny Kavanagh rode him well when unlucky to lose at Ascot last time and stays on board."

But Direct Route, a neck second to Flagship Uberalles in Sandown's valuable two-mile event last year, is not a certain runner.

Handler Howard Johnson has been beset with training problems due to severe flooding at his County Durham base.

"He's out of sorts and, with one thing and another, I'm not sure whether he'll line up this Saturday," admitted Johnson.

Subject to discussion with trainer Paul Nicholls, second-season chaser Fadalko may also miss the race.