Haydock an option for Rimell star

Mark Rimell is mulling a trip to Haydock with Oneway after deciding to bypass the Commercial First Ascot Chase.

The 10-year-old was not among seven runners declared for the Grade One race after Rimell refused to risk his stable star on “inconsistent” ground.

Rimell is keen to run Oneway before a possible start at the Cheltenham Festival and is entered in the Sporting Index Handicap Chase at Haydock on Saturday.

“The ground at Ascot is currently soft, heavy in places and good to soft in the home straight and I wouldn’t be happy running him on inconsistent ground,” Rimell explained.

“I need to speak to the clerk of the course at Haydock and I think I will just sit on my decision until tomorrow.

“I would like to give him a run before Cheltenham but the going at Ascot was just too inconsistent and he is a top of the ground horse.”

Rimell has a second string to his bow in the two-mile division with Crossbow Creek, winner of his last two starts but off the track since coming out on top at Ascot last October.

“Crossbow Creek has had a winter break and he’s back from his holiday now but I haven’t made my mind up about where we will go with him,” Rimell added.

“They are both entered in the Queen Mother but I would imagine Crossbow Creek will go to Liverpool while Oneway would be the possible Cheltenham runner.”