'He should be hard to beat' - Nicholls swerves L'Homme Presse test with Hitman

Saturday: 1.50 Haydock
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Hitman is to swerve a Grade 2 engagement in the 1965 Chase at Ascot in favour of a third successive outing in the north-west in the graduation chase at Haydock.

The up-and-coming chaser has been a model of consistency and was only just denied a successful seasonal return at nearby Aintree last month when beaten a head by Riders Onthe Storm in the Grade 2 Old Roan Chase.

That piece of form has since had a high-profile boost when the third-placed Ga Law landed the Grade 3 Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham a week ago.

Part-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson, Hitman went close on all four outings last season, including when runner-up in the Grade 1 Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown and later at the same level in the Marsh Chase at Aintree in April, after which he had a wind operation.

His trainer Paul Nicholls has won eight of the past ten runnings of this £50,000 contest, most recently with Bravemansgame a year ago, and others on the roll of honour include Clan Des Obeaux (2017) and Master Tommytucker (2020).

Nicholls said: "It's an ideal prep for Hitman ahead of the King George. He ran a great race in the Old Roan at Aintree and should be hard to beat."

Of the opposition, Erne River showed he goes well fresh when winning his first two assignments over fences last season before falling when upped in class in a Grade 1 at Aintree. He signed off last season when finishing third of four in the Grade 2 Oaksey Chase at Sandown.

Trainer Nick Kent said: "He goes well fresh so hopefully he can run a nice race on his return. We were worried about the soft ground before he won on it at Wetherby, but Charlie Hammond said he handled it fine so unless it's desperate he should be okay.

"After he fell at Aintree we ran him back to get a clear round into him at Sandown where he jumped the railway fences great. We feel he's better going left-handed so we are looking forward to it."

Aside from Hitman, Minella Drama is the only other of the four runners to have run this season and he is a previous course winner to boot.

The Donald McCain-trained seven-year-old, who was twice a winner as a novice last season including over 2m4f here, is entitled to have come on for his comeback fourth in a Listed chase at Carlisle last month.

The quartet is completed by the returning Itchy Feet, who was pulled on his final two starts of last season.

Trainer Olly Murphy said: "He's in good form. He's had a wind operation and we're going to change a few little things and hopefully he can run very well."

Saturday's race previews:

2.05 Ascot: Can Britain's top Gold Cup hope L'Homme Presse be troubled on his return?

2.25 Haydock: 'He goes there with every chance' - key quotes for the valuable stayers' hurdle

2.40 Ascot: 'We'd have concerns if it dried too much' - Nicky Henderson on Constitution Hill

3.00 Haydock: Betfair Chase: A Plus Tard will be fine on the ground says confident De Bromhead

3.15 Ascot: Who can capitalise in this handicap chase with Edwardstone ruled out?

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