Kingsmark Haydock run depends on ground

Connections of Kingsmark are praying for soft ground to allow the grey to take his chance in the Tommy Whittle Chase at Haydock Park on Saturday.

The 10-year-old, trained by Martin Todhunter, would be on a retrieving mission as he finished a distant last of three to Swansea Bay and Hussard Collonges in the Edward Hanmer Memorial Chase at the Merseyside track last month.

Kingsmark looked already booked for third spot when he unseated David Dennis at the final fence before being remounted.

That was his first race since he was third to Sackville in the Tommy Whittle last December.

“We’ve got three in the Tommy Whittle – Marlborough, Ad Hoc and Kingsmark,” said Barry Simpson, racing manager to owner Sir Robert Ogden, today.

“Kingsmark will be our main hope if the ground is soft. It’s got to be soft. If he doesn’t run, one of the other two may.

“Marlborough and Ad Hoc are also in a staying handicap chase at Cheltenham on Friday.”

Haydock’s three-mile chase, carrying £60,000 (€85,200) in added prize money, has attracted a total of 15 entries.

They also include Swansea Bay, Hussard Collonges, and the last two runners-up in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Truckers Tavern and Irish raider Commanche Court.

Howard Johnson has put in last season’s Gold Cup fourth Valley Henry, who has recently been purchased from Paul Nicholls’ stable by owner Graham Wylie.

Another possible is the Jonjo O’Neill-trained Keen Leader, who unseated Liam Cooper in the John Hughes Rehearsal Chase at Chepstow on Saturday.