'I'm very keen on Porticello' - Britain's leading Triumph hope tackles Grade 2

Porticello is the shortest-priced British-trained horse in next month's Triumph Hurdle and his credentials will be tested in the William Hill Super Odds Victor Ludorum Juvenile Hurdle (1.30) at Haydock.

Gary Moore is in good form and hopes are high that his four-year-old can take another step forward against five rivals, four weeks before his Cheltenham test for which he is a general 14-1 chance.

The Grade 2 contest went the way of subsequent Grade 1 winner Monmiral a year ago, with the roll of honour also including Frodon (2016) and Top Notch (2015), who went on to finish second in the Triumph.

Formerly trained in France, Porticello is three from four over hurdles and bounced back from defeat at Doncaster in December when landing a Grade 1 at Chepstow over Christmas in emphatic style from Saint Segal.

The latter has since boosted the form by scoring at Warwick and the vibes are positive from the Moore camp.

The trainer said: "I'm very keen on Porticello. I just hope racing up there is on. It's not the strongest race in the world. He would have every chance."

Hill to climb

Hillcrest is a best-priced 16-1 for both the Ballymore and Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdles next month and will look to make amends for a mishap at Cheltenham last time out.

The four-race unbeaten run of Henry Daly's improver was undone by an unlucky unseat of Richard Patrick, who will be hoping for better luck as he retains the partnership in the the Grade 2 Albert Bartlett Prestige Novices' Hurdle (3.50).

The seven-year-old had previously won a bumper and then over hurdles at Aintree, Wetherby and at Listed level at Cheltenham.

Daly said: "What happened at Cheltenham clearly wasn't part of the plan! He's a nice horse and we'll see how he gets on in this Grade 2."

Read more previews:

1.50 Ascot: National Hunt Chase credentials on the line as Does He Know bids for Grade 2 win

2.05 Haydock: Olly Murphy 'can't be sure' if well-fancied Thomas Darby will handle the ground

2.20 Gowran Park: Triumph Hurdle hero Quilixios out to earn spot in Champion Hurdle line-up

2.25 Ascot: 'He could be a bit better than a handicapper' - can Fiddlerontheroof come good?

2.40 Haydock: Well-treated Sam Brown near-perfect at Haydock and has more improvement in him

3.20 Wincanton: 'Lots of people have doubted him, but I haven't. I know he's a good horse'

3.30 Gowran Park: Melon might never get a better chance to add another win to his impressive CV

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