Haydock Park favoured for Aurore d'Estruval

Trainer John Quinn is favouring the Betfair Price Rush Hurdle at Haydock Park on Saturday for his exciting mare Aurore d'Estruval.

The four-year-old, who is also engaged in the Grade Two Coral Hurdle at Ascot, made an impressive return to action when slamming Irish raider Emily Gray by 10 lengths in the Listed olbg.com Mares' Hurdle over an extended two miles at Wetherby on November 1.

She proved herself a high-class performer last season when fifth to Guitar Pete in the Grade One Injured Jockeys Fund 50th Anniversary 4-Y-O Hurdle at Aintree's Crabbie's Grand National Festival in April.

Aurore d'Estruval's only previous visit to Haydock Park yielded second to Abracadabra Sivola in the Betfred "Goals Galore" Victor Ludorum Hurdle on February 15.

Quinn reported this morning: "I think Aurore d'Estruval will go to Haydock on Saturday. She is also in at Ascot but I am meeting her owner (Carl Hinchy) at Hexham today to discuss it and, at the moment, I think we are leaning towards Haydock.

"Her preparation has gone fine since Wetherby. It was a good performance there and, although it's going to be a different kettle of fish on Saturday, she is a nice mare.

"We think she might like a bit more cut in the ground and it looks like she is going to get that at the weekend."

Aurore d'Estruval is likely to clash with The New One (Nigel Twiston-Davies), who is disputing favouritism with Faugheen for the Stan James Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March. The six-year-old was an unlucky third in last season's renewal of the hurdling showpiece but rounded off the campaign with victory in the Grade One Aintree Hurdle in April.

Also among the confirmations are last season's Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle hero Hawk High (Tim Easterby) and Melodic Rendezvous (Jeremy Scott), a triple Grade Two winner last season.

Zamdy Man (Venetia Williams), who was last seen out when taking the Grade Two Sky Bet Supreme Trial Novices' Hurdle over the course and distance in January, eye-catching handicap scorer Lightening Rod (Mick Easterby) and classy chaser William's Wishes (Evan Williams) complete the septet.

The highlight of Haydock Park's seven-race programme is £200,000 Grade One Betfair Chase (3.00pm) over three miles and a furlong. Last year's winner Cue Card (Colin Tizzard) is set to renew rivalry with Ryanair Chase scorer Dynaste (David Pipe) and King George VI Chase hero Silviniaco Conti (Paul Nicholls), who finished second and third respectively 12 months ago.

High-class handicappers will be in action in the £80,000 Grade Three Betfair 'This Is Play' "Fixed Brush" Handicap Hurdle (2.25pm) over three miles. The 25 confirmations are headlined by Volnay De Thaix (Nicky Henderson) and Katkeau (David Pipe).

Volnay De Thaix will have to shoulder a penalty after an impressive success in two and a half mile handicap hurdle at Huntingdon on November 11, while Katkeau could bid to give Pipe a fourth victory in five years following a successful comeback at Cheltenham last weekend.

Other notable contenders include unexposed five-year-old Aubusson (Nick Williams), Betfred Cesarewitch winner Big Easy (Philip Hobbs), Oscar Rock (14/1, Malcolm Jefferson) and 2012 victor Trustan Times (Tim Easterby).

Declarations for the Betfair Chase and Betfair 'This Is Play' "Fixed Brush" Handicap Hurdle will be made tomorrow, November 20.

Saturday's card at Haydock Park is the richest Jump raceday in Britain outside of the Crabbie's Grand National and The Festival at Cheltenham with prize money of £500,000 on offer.

Betfair Fixed Odds BettingThe Price Rush Hurdle: 1/3 The New One, 7/2 Melodic Rendezvous, 10/1 Aurore Destruval, 14/1 Hawk High, Zamdy Man, 25/1 Williams Wishes, 40/1 Lightening Rod

Betfair Chase:11/4 Cue Card, 7/2 Silviniaco Conti, 4/1 Dynaste, 6/1 Taquin Du Seuil, 7/1 Menorah, 14/1 Harry Topper, 20/1 Double Ross, 25/1 Medermit, 33/1 The Giant Bolster

Fixed Brush Hurdle:5/1 Volnay de Thaix, 7/1 Katkeau, 8/1 Big Easy, Vieux Lion Rouge, 10/1 Aubusson, Unique de Cotte, 12/1 Heath Hunter, 14/1 Dara Tango, Oscar Rock, Shimla Dawn, Spirit Of Shankly, Stonebrook, Sybarite, Utopie des Bordes, 16/1 Henryville, Lower Hope Dandy, One For Harry, Sound Investment, Trustan Times, Upswing 20/1 Uncle Jimmy, 25/1 Araldur, Junction Fourteen, Kingsmere, 33/1 Awaywiththegreys

The Betfair Chase

Grade One, £200,000 Total Prize Fund, Haydock Park, Saturday, November 22. Three miles and a furlong, for five-year-olds and upwards. Entries close November 4, entries revealed November 5 (20 entries), weights revealed November 12. Five-day confirmations November 17 (9 five-day confirmations), final declarations November 20.

9 five-day confirmations

The Betfair Price Rush Hurdle

£100,000 Total Prize Fund, Haydock Park, Saturday, November 22. Two miles, for four-year-olds and upwards. Weights: 10st 12lb, fillies and mares allowed 7lb. Penalties: a winner of a Class 2 weight-for-age hurdle or a Class 1 handicap hurdle 3lb, of a Class 1 weight-for-age hurdle 5lb. Entries close November 4, entries revealed November 5 (14 entries). Five-day confirmations November 17 (7 five-day confirmations), final declarations November 21. 

7 five-day confirmations

The Betfair 'This Is Play' "Fixed Brush" Handicap Hurdle 

Grade Three, £80,000 Total Prize Fund, Haydock Park, Saturday, November 22. Three miles, for four-year-olds and upwards. Penalties: after November 9, a winner of a hurdle 5lb. Entries close November 4, entries revealed November 5 (53 entries), weights revealed November 12. Five-day confirmations November 17 (25 five-day confirmations), final declarations November 20. 

25 five-day confirmations 

1 Irish-trained