Dobbin hoping for Garden return

Tony Dobbin is keeping his fingers crossed Monet's Garden can prove his King George form all wrong when he lines up in the Commercial First Ascot Chase on Saturday.

Nicky Richards' nine-year-old is one of seven runners in the Grade One contest at Ascot and is on a retrieval mission after his Kempton disappointment on Boxing Day.

Monet's Garden, runner-up in last year's Arkle, was never travelling fluently and trailed home sixth of nine runners behind Kauto Star.

Reported to be dehydrated after the King George, Dobbin is now hoping Richards' talented grey can silence the critics with a big run at the weekend.

"He's pretty well and I've been riding him at home," said the rider.

"Even when he was in front at Kempton he didn't feel like he was jumping like he usually does.

"Some people were saying that he didn't stay but he was beaten halfway down the back and I could've puled him up.

"He seems in great form now though and hopefully he can bounce back," Dobbin told At The Races.

Mouse Morris' Fota Island is one of two runners from Ireland in the two-mile-three-furlong heat having bypassed the Red Mills Chase at Gowran on the same day.

Second to Newmill in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham last year, Mouse Morris' 11-year-old has struggled to get into the groove this term.

Connections believe he is coming to hand nicely, however, and expect a far better showing at the Berkshire track.

"He arrived in England last night and seems in very good form," said Frank Berry, racing manager to owner JP McManus.

"He's gone to Ascot instead of Gowran because Mouse is hoping for a bit better ground there.

"You would have to say his form has been a bit in and out this season but he usually finds a bit more in the spring - and hopefully that can be the case again."

The second contender from the Emerald Isle is the consistent Central House, who has chased home Nickname on his last three starts.

Dessie Hughes sent his charge to Sandown for the Tingle Creek Chase earlier in the season but a bad blunder down the back straight cost him dearly that day and he will be hoping for more luck tomorrow.

"If he repeats his last few runs he would have a chance. I think all his runs behind Nickname this season have been good to be honest," said Hughes.

"Better ground at Ascot should be in his favour tomorrow and we are expecting a big run from him."