Reigning champion chaser Finian's Rainbow faces just four rivals as he returns to action in the Amlin 1965 Chase at Ascot on Saturday.

Nicky Henderson's charge won a thrilling renewal of the Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March before following up over two and a half miles in the Melling Chase at Aintree.

Paul Nicholls' Ghizao returned to form with a victory at Kempton earlier this month and he steps back up to Grade Two company, while the Nick Williams-trained For Non Stop tries to supplement his outstanding Old Roan Chase victory at Aintree last month.

Captain Chris represents Philip Hobbs, while Alan Jones' Quincy Des Pictons is the outsider of the group.

Williams expects For Non Stop to find this a tough ask as he is rated 11lb inferior to Finian's Rainbow, but will have just 4lb in hand under the race conditions.

He said: "It's a very strong race. We are not at all well in (at the weights) with Finian's Rainbow and Captain Chris in terms of official ratings so I think we're up against it.

"The trip is right for him and he is fit and well but we are just not favoured by the weights. The fact he's had a run should help him - that must be an advantage - while the soft ground shouldn't be too much of a problem for him."

Ghizao bounced back to winning form on his seasonal bow, but owner Andy Stewart is under no illusions about the task he will face in Berkshire, though he did manage to run Finian's Rainbow to two lengths in the Maghull Novices' Chase at Aintree in 2011.

Stewart said: "It's a very competitive race and we'd be up against it with Finian's Rainbow and Captain Chris. He's fresh and well, though, and he won on soft at Kempton, but I think he would have a lot to do against the champion chaser.

"He looked like being top class at one point and wasn't beaten far by Finian's Rainbow so he will take his chance and we will see whether he's a handicapper or something better."

13 May 2013

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12 May 2013

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11 May 2013

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10 May 2013

Telescope focus is on Dante
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Ascot welcomes a couple of Guests