King ace back in the old routine

Connections of Uxizandre are hoping the six-year-old can start the season the way he ended the last campaign with victory at Aintree.

The Alan King-trained gelding signed off for 2013-14 by beating Oscar Whisky in the Grade One Manifesto Novices’ Chase at the Liverpool track and now takes on seasoned performers in the Betfred Monet’s Garden Old Roan Chase there on Saturday.

“He’s in good form. It’s his first run of the season and we’re hoping for a good run,” said Frank Berry, racing manager to owner J P McManus.