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Tea For Two camp eye Punchestown

Tea For TwoTea For Two
© Photo Healy Racing

Tea For Two could book his ticket to the Punchestown Festival if he lands his second Grade One in a row for Lizzie Kelly in the Betfred TV Scilly Isles Novices' Chase at Sandown on Saturday.

Kelly created history at Kempton over Christmas when riding the Nick Williams-trained seven-year-old to victory in the Kauto Star Novices' Chase, becoming the first lady rider to win a Grade One over jumps in Britain.

Jumping with aplomb on just his second start over fences, he looked to have been doing it all his life as Kelly kept him out of trouble on the outside before bringing him with a smooth run to catch Southfield Royale in the straight.

While big races through the season are stepping stones to Cheltenham for many, that is not the case for Tea For Two, who needs to go right-handed so will be swerving the March meeting.

"He's all set and he's been absolutely fine since Christmas. We're very happy with him," said Williams.

"The ground will be no problem for him and we'll take on all-comers and see what happens.

"Cheltenham wouldn't be his cup of tea - excuse the pun - which is why we haven't entered him there.

"He is in the race at Kempton (BetBright Chase) at the end of the month and there's a novice chase on the same day (Pendil), so one of those might be more likely, but we'll get over this weekend first.

"Punchestown would look more obvious than Aintree in the spring. He's not the best of travellers, but he might get better.

"Punchestown is quite late in the season but the three-mile novice there would be quite interesting."