Azertyuiop faces tough Chandler task
Following yesterday’s confirmation stage the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding is one of 14 in the race and despite having to carry top weight of 11st 10lb, heads the market at 5-2 with Coral.
“Native Scout’s trainer Donal Hassett reckons his horse is the one to beat, but Azertyuiop is the one they’ve got to beat in our book,” the firm’s David Stevens said yesterday.
Native Scout, who chased home Moscow Flyer at Leopardstown over Christmas, heads the Irish entries, which also feature Killultagh Storm and Fadoudal Du Cochet.
David Nicholls has also left in Young Devereaux, winner of the equivalent two-mile race 12 months ago when it was transferred to Kempton after Ascot was abandoned.
Nicky Henderson plans to run both Isio and Got One Too.
Isio has raced only once since finishing third to Azertyuiop in last season’s Arkle Trophy, when beaten into fifth in the William Hill Handicap Hurdle at Sandown last month.
The eight-year-old was due to line up for the Castleford Chase at Wetherby on St Stephen’s Day but was withdrawn with a vet’s certificate.
Riding plans for the duo have yet to be finalised, with Got One Too proving himself a force to be reckoned with at Cheltenham last month.
The gelding was an 18-length winner that day, but failed to build on his success by trailing home fifth of six in an Ascot handicap on his most recent start.
Redemption, a winner over timber at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day, is a likely starter, according to Nigel Twiston-Davies.
“He’s in great form and if everything works our right I think he’ll be there,” he said.
Recent course and distance winner Hot Shots is reported a definite runner in the race by trainer Mark Pitman.
Upgrade, runner-up to Hot Shots at Ascot last month, and Wahiba Sands are the two entries from the Martin Pipe stable, with Philip Hobbs set to give Farmer Jack his first start since being pulled up in the First National Gold Cup.
Henry Daly could run Palarshan, who was last seen when scoring in the Grand Annual Challenge Cup at the Cheltenham Festival.
Meanwhile, Bindaree and Sir Rembrandt, first and second in the Coral Welsh National last month, could take each other on again in the Tote Classic Chase at Warwick on Saturday.
There are 18 entries left in the £110,000 race at yesterday’s confirmation stage with Behrajan heading the weights on 11st 12lb.
Robert Alner’s Sir Rembrandt is next on 11st 9lb after his gallant second at Chepstow, which followed on from his impressive victory in the John Hughes Rehearsal Chase at the Welsh venue.
Attheraces Gold Cup winner Ad Hoc has been well-beaten on his two starts this term but will be trying to regain winning ways in the three-mile-five-furlong contest.
The 10-year-old may also be joined by stablemate Montifault and the Henrietta Knight-trained Southern Star.
Andrew Balding has left Martell Cognac Grand National fourth and recent Rowland Meyrick Chase winner Gunner Welburn in the Listed handicap, with Martin Pipe having the choice of four entries.
They include You’re Agoodun, Take Control, Jurancon II and Akarus, who was travelling strongly when falling alongside Kings Mistral at Chepstow.
Rooster Booster is one of 10 entries for the Red Square Vodka Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock Park on Saturday.
Last season’s Smurfit Champion Hurdle victor has been beaten three times since his 11-length victory at Cheltenham and could bid to regain the winning thread at the Merseyside track.
Kingscliff heads the 13 entries made yesterday for the Peter Marsh Handicap Chase at Haydock Park on Saturday.
Robert Alner’s seven-year-old is William Hill’s 5-1 second favourite for the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup following two impressive victories this season at Ascot and Cheltenham.
It appears unlikely that Kingscliff will run again before the Cheltenham Festival after Saturday’s race.
One horse missing from the entries for the £60,000 Grade Two limited handicap is Jair Du Cochet, who will wait instead for the Pillar Property Chase at Cheltenham on January 24.
Peter Marsh Handicap Chase entries (13): Artic Jack, Behrajan, Carbury Cross, Ebony Light, Gunner Welburn, Horus, Kingscliff, Kingsmark, Lord Jack, Streamstown, Tonoco, Wain Mountain, You’re Agoodun.
