Mon Mome heads Haydock field
Venetia Williams’ Aintree hero was pulled up on his reappearance in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury but his third place finish over hurdles at Cheltenham last month was much more encouraging.
Next in the weights is Cloudy Lane, who was a creditable third behind Money Trix on his first outing of the campaign and missed an intended engagement in the Lexus Chase after the race was rescheduled.
David Pipe’s veteran Our Vic makes the long journey north, Oliver Sherwood’s talented mare Jaunty Flight is set for her first start of the season and Fortification steps up in grade having won his last four starts.
Kia Kaha, According To Pete, Prince De Beauchene, Jass, Mr Strachan, Morgan Be and Palypso De Creek complete the field.
Twist Magic faces seven rivals as he bids for back-to-back Grade One successes in the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot tomorrow.
The eight-year-old was a brilliant winner of the Tingle Creek at Sandown last month but it most be noted that he was a hot favourite for this event two years ago and was well beaten into second by Tamarinbleu.
Nicky Henderson’s Petit Robin is likely to give him a thorough examination following an impressive success at Kempton over the Christmas period, while the second in that race, Well Chief, reopposes.
Fix The Rib fell in the same contest and he also lines up again, while impressive Exeter winner Cornas, Kinkeel, Lennon and Oh Crick complete the field.
The latter has been off the track since being beaten into fifth in the William Hill Gold Cup at Exeter in November and trainer Alan King said: “It is not ideal we have to meet the likes of Twist Magic and Petit Robin on level terms, but he has had a stop-start season and we need to get him going.”
