Ollie set for Haydock

Ollie Magern will bid to make it fourth time lucky in the Betfair Chase as he tackles Kauto Star and the rest of a star line-up at Haydock on Saturday.

Nigel Twiston-Davies' tough inmate only just lost the Charlie Hall chase when giving 10lb away to State Of Play in a promising first outing of the season.

Owner-breeder Roger Nicholls had said Ollie Magern would not return to Haydock after three disappointments, but after his run at Wetherby he has reversed his decision.

"I think he deserves his chance," said Nicholls. "There's only six runners, so there's some place money there so let's go and enjoy ourselves.

Never

"I did say I'd never go there again but, as long as its good ground and not a bog, it should be all right.

"If it was heavy he wouldn't be going.

"He ran a fantastic race at Wetherby where he was just touched off. He had a good eight or nine days out in the field, doing nothing.

"Nigel has had him back in and he's on top of the world."

Kauto Star is bidding for a hat-trick in the race and Paul Nicholls' 2007 Gold Cup winner showed he is still top class with a runaway victory at Down Royal earlier this month.

Exotic Dancer will renew hostilities with Kauto Star after his second-placed finish to Knowhere in the Old Roan Chase.

Peter Bowen's Snoopy Loopy, third in the Old Roan Chase and the Charlie Hall, is also involved, while Donald McCain saddles Cloudy Lane.

Pipe dream

David Pipe has Tamarinbleu in the race, but the trainer admits it will be hard to place the Boylesports Gold Cup and Victor Chandler Chase winner this season.

"We are stepping back up in trip with him as he's hard to place off 167," said the Pond House handler.

"It was either go here with him or go to the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon - but because of the small field we've opted to take him to Haydock.

"He hasn't got great form at the Cheltenham Festival and he maybe just sulked a bit at being taken on for the lead in the Queen Mother.

"He probably ran up to his best behind Master Minded and Voy Por Ustedes at Aintree, which was a decent run.

"He goes well fresh and three miles on a flat track should be within his compass and the ground should be fine.

"There's a lot of prize-money on offer so we'll see what we can do."