'I'd be so delighted for his family' - Ged Mason hoping for poignant L'Eau Du Sud win to honour John Hales in Tingle Creek epic

John Hales won the Tingle Creek twice with Politologue and the late owner remains prominent in Ged Mason's thoughts ahead of L'Eau Du Sud's bid in the same race at Sandown on Saturday.

The seven-year-old is owned by Mason, Sir Alex Ferguson, Paul Hogarth and Lisa Hales, the daughter of John Hales. The popular owner, whose biggest wins include the Grand National with Neptune Collonges, died earlier this year at the age of 85.

L'Eau Du Sud made a sparkling comeback when a 15-length winner of the Shloer Chase last month. He faces a thrilling rematch against two-time Tingle Creek winner Jonbon and the Willie Mullins-trained Il Etait Temps at Sandown, and Mason hopes his star can repeat his Cheltenham heroics.

He said: "I hope we can have a magnificent day, as I'd be so delighted for the Hales family. John is always in our thoughts and had he seen what he did at Cheltenham, he'd have been furiously waving his stick with joy. Fingers crossed our lad comes home well for him on Saturday.

John Hales: "He's always in our thoughts"Credit: Steve Davies

"You've got Il Etait Temps, who's one of Willie's best, and you can never write Jonbon off. It's good for racing and exactly what you buy a horse for. You want it to be the best against the best, and all will be revealed on Saturday."

He added: "If you go off the back of L'Eau Du Sud's last race, that was seriously impressive, so let's hope he can do it again. It's always a good test at Sandown with the seven fences down the back straight. 

"His jumping was foot-perfect at Cheltenham, but the way he took off was a surprise, as that hill normally finds everyone out. Certainly this year he's shown us all what he's capable of, but this is a tough ask and it's proper quality."

L'Eau Du Sud could add to Dan Skelton's remarkable run of big-race winners after the trainer landed the Paddy Power Gold Cup, Betfair Chase and Coral Gold Cup on consecutive Saturdays.

Mason said: "It's fantastic to see how well Dan is doing and he thoroughly deserves it. There's a long way to go in the title race, but he'd deserve to win it having had so many big wins already this season for his owners."

The Tingle Creek field is completed by outsiders Libberty Hunter and Boothill, with 2022 winner Edwardstone not declared.

Betfair Tingle Creek Chase (3.00 Sandown, Saturday)
Paddy Power: 10-11 Il Etait Temps, 5-2 L’Eau Du Sud, 100-30 Jonbon, 25 Libberty Hunter, 33 Boothill.

Lulamba heads Henry VIII field; 13 run in Becher

Lulamba will tackle a Grade 1 contest for the first time over fences when he faces three rivals in the Betfair Henry VIII Novices' Chase (1.50) on the Sandown undercard.

The Nicky Henderson-trained four-year-old was a winner at the highest level over hurdles, and made an impressive winning chase debut at Exeter last month.

Trainer Sam Thomas will rely on Lump Sum after not declaring Steel Ally. The seven-year-old was a 16-length winner on his first start over fences at Uttoxeter.

Be Aware, second at Cheltenham last month, and Alnilam complete the line-up.

Lulamba (centre): made a winning debut over fences at Exeter last monthCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

At Aintree, a field of 13  headed by Mr Vango will go over the Grand National fences in the William Hill Half A Mill Becher Chase (2.40).

The Sara Bradstock-trained nine-year-old bids for another major success, having landed the Peter Marsh Chase and Midlands Grand National last season.

Welsh Grand National winner Val Dancer goes for another big win, while the Gavin Cromwell-trained Bioluminescence is the sole Irish runner.

William Hill Half A Mill Becher Handicap Chase (2.40 Aintree, Saturday)
Paddy Power: 4 Mr Vango, 11-2 Gaboriot, 6 Galia Des Liteaux, 13-2 Bioluminescence, 7 White Rhino, 8 Bill Baxter, Westerninthepark, 12 Excello, 14 Monbeg Genius, 16 Val Dancer, 20 bar. 

Read these next:

'We aren't backing out' - Dan Skelton is on fire and has L'Eau Du Sud primed for Tingle Creek blockbuster 

'It's a race I'd love to win and there are no negatives with him' - Paul Townend out to break Tingle Creek duck on Il Etait Temps 

Becher Chase favourite Mr Vango aiming to provide Bradstock family with another famous win 

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more