THE FIRST STEP towards a potential million will be taken this Saturday as seven runners line up to contest the Betfair Chase at Haydock.  Last year’s victor was the magnificent Kauto Star who went on to capture the King George and Gold Cup and net connections a cool million plus for their troubles.  The champ lines up again this time having finished second in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree on his reappearance, conceding the winner 14lbs, but I think he may have to settle for the same position again behind the Arkle winner My Way De Solzen.  Alan King’s dual Festival winner was a classy staying hurdler before reverting to the bigger obstacles where he showed he could mix it with the best of last season’s novices.  He’s potentially unexposed over the trip and offers something new for Kauto Star’s connections to consider.  The ground should hold no fears and there may be a good bit of value in taking on the jolly.  Down at Ascot we see the return of some old favourites in the 2m4f Coral Ascot Hurdle.  Hardy Eustace, Detroit City, Afsoun and Wichita Lineman all return in this hot Grade 2 event.  The dual Champion Hurdle winner could be tough to beat fresh off the back of a decent effort in the Irish Cesarewich and Terry Warner’s imposing grey will no doubt be popular as well.  However, I think that Tony McCoy will bag this event aboard JP McManus’s Wichita Lineman before dashing off to Huntingdon to win the Peterborough Chase on Racing Demon.  Progressive through his bumper season this Jackdaws Castle inmate was up with the best of his generation last year as shown with his win in the Brit Insurance Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival in March.

 Selections – 1.50 Ascot, 6 Wichita Lineman