Last year's winner Rey Nacarado forms one half of a strong Charlie Longsdon challenge for Saturday's Betfred Mandarin Handicap Chase at Newbury.

Once a more prestigious race than it is now, and run over the course and distance of the Hennessy, this extended three and a quarter-mile event is staged in memory of the remarkable winner of the 1962 Grand Steeplechase de Paris.

Longsdon's principal runner, though, could be Pete The Feat, the choice of regular stable jockey Noel Fehily, who is four from four over fences at smaller venues already this season. Tony McCoy has been snapped up for the spare on Rey Nacarado, who was fourth to Ballyoliver at the course on December 1.

Longsdon said: "In an ideal world I wouldn't be running the two in the same race, but unfortunately it's not an ideal world. Pete The Feat has done nothing wrong, he's flying up the handicap and is on a real roll.

"This is a big step up in class, but his confidence is sky high and it will be interesting to see how he gets on. Rey has been dropping down the handicap and is now only 1lb higher than when winning the race last year. He didn't run at all badly over course and distance last time, and with McCoy up, he could go well. Both should be fine on the (heavy) ground."

An obvious contender for the red-hot Nicky Henderson yard will be Michael Buckley's State Benefit, who scraped home at Sandown recently on his return from a summer break.

Kim Bailey is not desperately optimistic about Midnight Haze, who was sixth in Cheltenham's cross country race and ran in the Grand National last term but has not sparkled at either of those venues this time around.

The trainer said: "He won't mind the ground but he's at the top end of the handicap and has lost his form a bit and been disappointing, so he needs to improve to be in the frame."

13 May 2013

Fabre confirms Ocovango for Epsom
Aspect on route to big things
Room at the top for Cityscape
Freedom steps into chasing ranks
Lucky thirteen in line for Lockinge
Galway beckons for Swinton hero
Sajjhaa set for late return
Cadeaux thriving in Singapore
Pink primed for Duke Of York
Liber takes aim at Musidora
Battle won for O'Brien
Pretending the real deal
Duntle back to winning ways
Classic glory for Flotilla
Style wins the day in Paris
Highclere double-handed for Dante
Cornerstone plans up in the air
Beckett planning Gesture workout

12 May 2013

No hurry for Jammy plans
Guest in hunt for more Ascot glory
Vow set for Goodwood return
Gold-en boy Anodin in Classic hunt
Buick aiming for French strike
Angel flies home to land Chartwell
Barizan bounces back in style
Queally lights up Ascot meeting
Ektihaam storms to Buckhounds win
Nevis takes depleted Trial contest
Hard-fought battle won at Haydock
Secret impresses in Oaks Trial
Ascot drama for Fanning

11 May 2013

Felix foot-perfect on fencing debut
Cavalryman leads Cup charge
Ramsa ready to stand Trial
Duntle out to dazzle in Amethyst
Swift return doesn't bother Moran
Garman gives Bolger hope
Henderson: Ground vital for Voice
McMahon sweet on Tart Ascot claims
Murphy to move to France
Athos flies to Ormonde glory
Dee day for impressive Magician
Kingdom confirmed for Queen Anne
Secret's out for Lingfield glory
Lambe expects good run from Hall
Marengo ready to do battle
Greatwood on trial at Lingfield
Barizan sneaks into Swinton
Jamesie gunning for Vic-tory

10 May 2013

Telescope focus is on Dante
Blinkers considered for Guarantee#
Bonfire camp bemoan Huxley flop
Moohaajim has six appeal
Ascot welcomes a couple of Guests