Fox makes plenty of appeal off declining mark

Bookmakers might argue otherwise, but you don't need big fields to produce good racing and there are some fascinating horses running at Haydock and Ascot this afternoon.

Cloudy Dream is a long way from being the best hurdler embarking on a novice chase campaign this season, but he is one who has been in many notebooks as a potential top-notcher over fences, and he takes his second step up the chasing ladder in the five-runner Brown Shipley Graduation Chase (1.25) at Haydock against some far more experienced rivals.

Last season's unlucky second in the Scottish Champion Hurdle looked a natural when beating the promising Chidswell in a three-runner contest at Carlisle last month.