Kingscliff primed for Haydock return

Gold Cup contender Kingscliff is being primed for a tilt at the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock on Saturday.

The Betfair Chase winner, who is a general 5-1 chance to win the Gold Cup in March, is likely to take his chance in the Grade Two event after he was given a clean bill of health from trainer Robert Alner.

However, Alner is also considering sending the nine-year-old to Cheltenham on January 28, where he could line up in the £80,000 Letheby And Christopher Chase.

“We are certainly entering him for the Peter Marsh as he seems in great form and on good terms with himself,” said the Dorset-based handler.

“We are not going to focus on the Gold Cup yet as I want to take every race as it comes.

“There’s also race at Cheltenham at the end of the month, which could be an option.

“The weather will play a large part in it but I’m sure he could go to either place.”