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Course inspection to decide on Haydock Park races going ahead
HAYDOCK Park has passed today's precautionary inspection and is fit to race tomorrow at present.
However, due to risk of frost, course officials will continue to monitor the conditions and a further inspection will be held tomorrow at 8am.
The Peter Marsh Limited Handicap Chase will be top of the bill.
With England now in a national lockdown, spectators are no longer able to attend the racecourse. Racing continues behind closed doors.
Brian Ellison is keen to tackle Saturday’s The Peter Marsh Limited Handicap Chase at Haydock with Sam’s Adventure.
Sam’s Adventure won over the same extended three miles and one furlong when claiming last month’s Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase at the track, taking up the lead at the last before going on to score by four lengths.
The nine-year-old triumphed on heavy ground that day and with a wet forecast and possible snow, Ellison is confident his charge will deal with the conditions.
He said: “Sam’s Adventure is in good form and the plan is for him to run in the Peter Marsh Chase on Saturday.
“This race has been the target since his last win at Haydock where he was very impressive.
“He stays the trip and handles testing conditions, so we would be hopeful of a good run.
“It looks a competitive race judging by the entries, but you would expect that and we are looking forward to seeing how he gets on.â€
Cap Du Nord also features among 18 entries for the race and he could clash again with the 156-rated Royal Pagaille, who beat him by three and a quarter lengths at Kempton last month.
However, trainer Christian Williams is favouring waiting a week with the eight-year-old and heading to Doncaster instead.
He said: “Cap Du Nord is a possible for the Peter Marsh Chase, but I think the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster is our first preference.
“We entered just in case Royale Pagaille doesn’t turn up at Haydock, but we are leaning towards Doncaster.â€
The Peter Marsh is one of four Grade Two heats on Saturday’s card, with the New One Unibet Hurdle set to feature the return of dual Champion Hurdle winner Buveur D’Air.
Only five have been entered for the two-mile heat and Donald McCain could let Navajo Pass, an impressive winner of a Musselburgh handicap on New Year’s Day and fourth in last year’s Triumph Hurdle, take his chance.
He said: “It is very possible that Navajo Pass will run in the New One Unibet Hurdle at Haydock on Saturday.
“We’re very limited really in where we can go with him.
“It looks like being a very competitive race with the likes of Buveur D’Air set to run.
“He ran earlier this month so it is quite a quick turnaround, but there is every possibility that he will run.
“It was a good performance at Musselburgh and hopefully there is still plenty more to come from him.â€