Politologue set to bypass Scilly Isles outing at Sandown

Politologue is unlikely to run in the Betfred TV Scilly Isles Novices' Chase at Sandown on Saturday, said owner John Hales.Connections of the Grade Two-winning grey are keen to give the six-year-old a slightly less exacting test before he runs in the JLT Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Hales said: "I don't think he's going to run at the weekend. "We just need to wind him down a bit as he was wired up at Haydock and nearly pulled Sam Twiston-Davies' arms out going down."We don't want to put him in a hot race again just yet."We want to find another race before Cheltenham to get him settled and relaxed."He's a fabulous horse - one of the best I've have ever had."The JLT is the plan."Politologue, trained by Paul Nicholls, looked the real deal in the Mitie Noel Novices' Chase at Ascot in December.He then lost very little in defeat in a Grade Two novice chase at Haydock when he went down by a length and a quarter to Waiting Patiently, to whom he was giving 3lb.Nicholls also has Le Prezien, Frodon and Clan Des Obeaux entered in the Scilly Isles, but said earlier in the week that the latter was his "most likely" candidate for Grade One honours.