Tom George hoping Dare To Endeavour in form at Haydock

View from connections ahead of Saturday's 888sport Handicap Chase at Haydock Park.

Trainer Tom George is hoping Dare To Endeavour is now back firing on all cylinders after a poor start to the season and ready to do himself justice in the 888sport Handicap Chase at Haydock on Saturday.

The eight-year-old gave his trainer reason for optimism when running his best race of the season to date on his fifth start when finishing a close second to Anay Turge at Sandown.

George is also putting blinkers on Dare To Endeavour for the first time to help the top weight along.

"He just lost his way at the start of the season. His last run was better," said the Slad handler.

"It's a valuable race so we thought we'd give it a go. We going slightly into the unknown as we've not been left-handed with him for a bit, but I've got a feeling he'll be OK.

"He likes soft ground, so that won't be a problem."

Pat Phelan is concerned about the rain-softened ground and a hike in the handicap for Representing Celtic, who showed his well-being with an eight-length victory at Kempton.

"I suppose he has a couple of problems going from his run at Kempton," said the Epsom handler.

"One is the handicapper was very hard on him, I felt, as 12lb seems a lot. And the change in the ground is a big no, no for him I would have thought.

"But you don't get many opportunities to run a horse him for a prize like this, so we have to go.

"He's in good form. Josh (Moore) is on him again. He gets on very well with him and we go there with cautious optimism rather than confident."

The ground and the longer trip are worries for Chris Gordon but on the plus side he reports Comeonginger to be in tip-top shape.

"I'm really pleased with the horse, but I'd just love it to be genuinely good ground. He's at his best on that," said the Hampshire handler.

"If it had been over two and a half miles, I'd be a bit happier, but over two-six he might just struggle a bit on the ground.

"I've aimed him at the race for a while and I thought at this time of year he'd get his ground.

"It's a good competitive race. He's in great order and has been in good form this season. He's been improving but I'd be happier if it was good ground."

Lucy Wadham felt Canuspotit was not helped by the conditions on his latest start when he was a staying-on third to Ruben Cotter over an extended two and a half miles at Kempton.

The eight-year-old had won his two previous races at Fakenham and Huntingdon with more ease in the ground.

"We felt the ground was a bit too quick for him at Kempton last time," said the Newmarket handler.

"The jockey said he didn't let himself down on the ground and it looks like being quite soft up there. He seems very progressive and we're hoping for a big run."