Mon Mome, the 2009 Grand National winner, is among a field of 11 declared for the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock on Saturday.
Now aged 12, the Venetia Williams-trained gelding will attempt to improve on his fourth place to Our Vic in this race two years ago.
He showed he was no back number when a solid second to Mostly Bob at Cheltenham over an extended three and a quarter miles (5200m) on New Year’s Day.
According To Pete, who finished ahead of Mon Mome when third in 2010, bids to supplement his success in the Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby on Boxing Day.
His trainer Malcolm Jefferson is also represented by dual course and distance winner King Fontaine, who was seventh to his stablemate at Wetherby.
Our Vic’s trainer, David Pipe, runs Consigliere, who ran out a 20-length winner at Wincanton two weeks ago.
The Colin Tizzard-trained Mount Oscar is set to have his first race since he took second place behind Quinz in the Racing Post Chase at Kempton last February.
Heading the weights is Crescent Island from the Nigel Twiston-Davies stable, while champion trainer Paul Nicholls relies upon Take The Breeze.
Evan Williams’ Oscar Gogo is on a hat-trick after wins at Chepstow and Ffos Las last month but has yet to tackle this three-mile (4800m) trip.
Completing the line-up are Henry Daly’s Pearlysteps, Bob Buckler’s The Sawyer and Bold Ransom from Keith Reveley’s yard.
PA AAP TURF
