McCain rolling the dice with surprise package Whiskey Chaser

2.10 Haydock
Last Fling Handicap Chase | Class 2 | 3m3¼f | 4yo+ | RUK/ITV4

Although ten have been declared for this marathon chase which with a prize fund of £22,000 is worth just £3,000 less than last week's more established Tommy Whittle, it is likely that no more than nine will face the starter with Vieux Lille's first preference being at Newbury.

Donald McCain won the race in 2013 with Across The Bay – since when only one renewal has beaten the weather – and this year sends out Whiskey Chaser, who is set to carry 9lb less than any of his rivals.

The contest honours a popular staying chaser who raced in the Trevor Hemmings colours, and the owner is represented here by topweight Lessons In Milan, who pulled up at Haydock on his seasonal reappearance but was fifth in the Scottish National last season.

The race has also gained where Kelso lost. Both West Of The Edge and Harry The Viking had been declared for the Borders National earlier in the month but have been rerouted here.

West Of The Edge is a Haydock debutant, but Harry The Viking has built up about as good a course record as is possible without winning, having been placed in his three completed starts here (beaten a total of nine lengths), including finishing runner-up in the latest running of this race two years ago.

What they say

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Lessons In Milan
I'd be confident he'll stay and, while we know he acts on soft ground, whether he'll be as effective on Haydock heavy is another matter and we didn't really get to find out last time.

Michael Scudamore, trainer of Streets Of Promise
Conditions will be very much in her favour, most of the time she'd rather be swimming than running! We were never quite happy with her last season, though in fairness to her the Ffos Las run probably wasn't that bad on ground as quick as she'd like. She'll be sharper for having run at Chepstow, we've been happy with her since and she's below her last winning mark.

Fergal O'Brien, trainer of Jennys Surprise
I think the key will be not having a lot of weight on that ground over 3m3f. It'll take a lot of getting, but we know from Sandown last season that she'll love the ground and she'll love the trip. It didn't go to plan at Wincanton last time, but I might have ran her a bit soon after her first run of the season. We're hoping she'll bounce back.

Donald McCain, trainer of Whiskey Chaser
He surprised me winning last time, but he did it well and I don't think there was any fluke about it. I didn't know he was quite in that shape and he's been fine since. Did I think he'd be up to running in a Last Fling? Possibly not, but he's won on the track and goes on the ground, while he's in the handicap, so we'll take a punt.

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