Albertas Run could make his seasonal return at Aintree on Saturday
PICTURE: Mark CranhamAlbertas Run heads classy Old Roan entry
ALBERTAS RUN heads a classy entry for Saturday's Totescoop6 Old Roan Chase at Aintree, with last season's Ryanair and John Smith's Melling Chase winner pitted against several old adversaries.
The Jonjo O'Neill-trained nine-year-old could face Ryanair runner-up Poquelin, as well as perennial favourite Monet's Garden, who won the race in 2009 and 2007.
Master Medic hasn't been seen since being pulled up in the King George VI behind Kauto Star last December, on his last start for Robert & Sally Alner, and could drop back in trip for new trainer Tim Walford who said:
"Looking through his form, he may get three miles but it's not totally proven, so that's why I'm leaning towards Aintree rather than Wetherby.
"He won twice at Ascot last year over two miles and a furlong, and he looked as if he might be better over two and a half. He might be even better at three miles but I don't know that, so I would sooner start him off over two and a half and see whathappens.
"We're up against it and he has come from a very good trainer, so whether I can improve him is debatable. He had a good season last year and has gone up in the weights as a result, so we have limited options, but he is in good form."
Fourth at Aintree on his last start, Tartak is another possible, along with the David Pipe-trained I'msingingtheblues. A total of 12 runners have been entered.
On the same card, Mille Chief could make his seasonal reappearance in the Toteplacepot Handicap Hurdle, which also features Kauto Relko, a half-brother to Kauto Star. Trained by Rachel Hobbs, the six-year-old couldmake his British debut.
There is also some classy action over the jumps at Chepstow, where the exciting Captain Chris could bid to extend his unbeaten run over hurdles to four in the Grade 2 Totesport.com Persian War Novices' Hurdle.
Among his ten possible rivals are the also-unbeaten Silviniaco Conti for Paul Nicholls and the progressive Quo Video.
