As if champion trainer Paul Nicholls doesn't have enough Cheltenham contenders to keep him business, The Nightingale has emerged as a potential RSA Chase candidate following his win at Kempton's Racing Post fixture.

Whether or not The Nightingale is genuinely up to RSA class remains to be seen, but he could do little more than win impressively on his fencing bow at Fontwell and then followed up in similar fashion in the Grade 2 Racing Post Weekender Pendil Novices' Chase at Kempton.

In beating 16/1 shot Othermix by 18 lengths in the two-and-a-half mile event, Nicholls' French bred gelding has achieved far less than the likes of Punchestowns, Long Run or even Weird Al, and there has to be something of a doubt as to whether he will genuinely stay an extra half mile in the higher grade at Cheltenham. The current ante-post offer of a best-priced 16/1 with Cheltenham Odds will prove tempting to die-hard Nicholls supporters though and plenty of horse racing tips are folowing.

That said, The Nightingale appears to be a natural over fences and looks a horse of serious potential for years to come. Nicholls has decided against a crack at the Arkle Chase and if deciding not to take up the RSA challenge has hinted that he will save the seven-year-old for Aintree.

I reckon the latter course of action might well prove best in the long run. Taking on the big guns at Cheltenham might easily prove counter productive, and meeting them in April as a fresh horse against those that have had a tough battle in the RSA might give The Nightingale his chance of leaping into the top flight.

At the end of the day it is Paul Nichols and owner Graham Roach who will make the decision and whichever way they go, Cheltenham Betting experts suggest that The Nightingale is a horse with a big future being guided by the best in the business.