L'Ami pencilled in for Betfair Chase

Francois Doumen revealed Cheltenham Gold Cup fourth L’Ami is on course to run in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on November 18.

The recent JP McManus purchase had a pipe-opener over hurdles earlier in the week when he finished fifth at Auteuil but it is over the bigger obstacles where his talent is seen to greater effect.

The seven-year-old finished second behind Trabolgan in the Hennessy Gold Cup last term and also finished fourth in the King George VI Chase at Sandown.

“L’Ami is very much on target for the Betfair Chase and I would think that AP McCoy will ride him,” said Doumen.

“He has definitely strengthened and improved through the summer and will hopefully run a good race.

Betfair offer a £1million bonus if any horse can win the Haydock race, the King George, or Lexus Chase at Christmas, and the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March.

Doumen added: “Mr McManus doesn’t put any pressure on me, but the Betfair Million is a good enough figure to think about.

“He could go to the King George, but the Lexus Chase is just as attractive so that could be on the agenda.

“I was very happy with his run at Auteuil. I accept that the ground was not soft enough, which does not help a three-mile chaser competing against specialist hurdlers, but he ran into fifth place, running on pleasantly.”