Hassett confident over Scout challenge

Donal Hassett expects Irish challenger Native Scout to run a big race in the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot on Saturday .

The eight-year-old is a 4-1 chance with the sponsors following his excellent five-length second to Moscow Flyer at Leopardstown over Christmas.

Rated 33lb below Jessica Harrington’s champion going into the Paddy Power Dial-a-Bet Chase and receiving only 5lb, Native Scout was only two lengths off the winner at the second-last.

“The horse is in good form and you can take it he’ll be travelling over,” Hassett said.

“He’ll run a big race. He’s in with bottom weight (10st 4lb) and I think he’s the horse they’ve all got to beat.”

Reflecting on the Leopardstown race, the Co Clare trainer said: “I was very pleased. I thought he ran a good race.

“The handicapper has put him up 7lb so he’s well in next Saturday and he’ll run well. Whatever beats him will win it.

“I’d be confident enough I’d beat the top weight because I get a stone and 6lb off him and if I’d got that off Moscow Flyer I would have given him a right race.

“He beat me five lengths and Barry Geraghty (on Moscow Flyer) went for the stick before Paul Carberry (on Native Scout), so on that run if I get a stone and 6lb off Azertyuiop, I should beat him.

“If the ground comes up easy to soft I’d be confident.”

Hassett is going to study the entries before finalising riding arrangements for Native Scout.