Ascot target for Cyclone

Hidden Cyclone puts his Queen Mother Champion Chase credentials on the line in the Sodexo Clarence House Chase at Ascot on Saturday.

Shark Hanlon’s nine-year-old has been right back to his best this season, finishing third in the Paddy Power Gold Cup and then beaten in a tight finish to a two-mile Grade One at Leopardstown over Christmas.

Running back over the minimum distance for the first time in eight races, Hidden Cyclone just lost out to Tony Martin’s Benefficient.

The pair came close together but Benefficient survived a stewards’ inquiry on the day, and an appeal by Hanlon and his owners.

“He’ll definitely run, he came out of Cheltenham well but he’s come out of the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase brilliant and very fresh and I’m very happy with him,” said Hanlon.

“The trip at Ascot will probably suit him because the ground will be on the slow side and from there I’m hoping that he will run well and then we can go back to England for the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

“He’d have to have a serious chance on Saturday if we’re thinking of going for the Champion Chase. There’s no Sprinter Sacre in there so we’ll find out how good the horse is.”

Hidden Cylone is one of 10 possible runners, including ante-post favourite Sire De Grugy.

Gary Moore’s stable star will attempt to land his second Grade One of the season, having already bagged the Tingle Creek in Sprinter Sacre’s absence while he also benefited at Kempton over Christmas when the current two-mile king was pulled up.

Sprinter Sacre’s trainer Nicky Henderson relies on the veteran French Opera.

The Irish challenge could be supplemented by Henry de Bromhead’s Special Tiara, a Grade One winner at Aintree in April, and his stablemate Days Hotel.

Mick Channon is set to saddle 2012 winner Somersby, while Emma Lavelle’s novice Fox Appeal is a fascinating possibility.

Kauto Stone, Lancetto and Oiseau De Nuit complete the list.

Sodexo Clarence House Chase – Paddy Power bet: 5-4 Sire De Grugy, 7-2 Somersby, 11-2 Hidden Cyclone, 9-1 Fox Appeal, Special Tiara, 10-1 Days Hotel, Kauto Stone, 12-1 French Opera, 20-1 Oiseau De Nuit, 33-1 Lancetto.