Hughes Hunts Chandler Surprise

Dessie Hughes admits Twist Magic is the one to beat in the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot tomorrow.

However, the Irish trainer is expecting a bold show from his runner, Schindlers Hunt, in the Grade One feature over two miles and a furlong.

'I'm hoping for a good run. Twist Magic is going to be hard to beat but ours will run a good race, I'm sure,' said Hughes.

The eight-year-old was third to fellow Irish challenger Mansony, beaten two and a half lengths, on his latest start in the Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown three weeks ago.

Hughes felt the going was too fast for Schindlers Hunt that day and believes his charge will handle the tougher conditions at Ascot.

'He's good after his run at Leopardstown and the ground was a bit quick for him there,' the County Kildare-based handler continued.

'He's travelled over well and I don't think the ground will bother him too much.'

Schindlers Hunt is a best-priced 11-1 to land the spoils while the Paul Nicholls-trained Twist Magic is hot favourite at 4-7.

Second best in the betting at around 7-2 is Mansony, who attempts to give trainer Arthur Moore his second victory in the race after Jeffell in 1998.

'He went over on Thursday and has settled in well,' said Moore.

'Hopefully he's still on the upgrade. He will need to be, but he's in good form.

'The ground should not be a problem.

'If the meeting is off, I might send him to Punchestown in a couple of weeks for the Grade Two Tied Cottage Chase.'

Tom Scudamore believes Tamarinbleu is well worth his place in the line-up.

The eight-year-old won the Boylesports.com Gold Cup last time under a fine ride from Denis O'Regan when Scudamore was injured, but the stable jockey reclaims the ride tomorrow.

'Tamarin seems very, very well. Meeting Twist Magic off level weights will be tough but he's a very good horse and has improved for the blinkers and more than deserves his place in the line-up,' said Scudamore.

'I don't have a plan at the moment but I'll go through it with David (Pipe, trainer), like we do every race and we'll decide on tactics then.

'But it's the same with every race, you have to ride your horse to the best of your advantage and it depends on what the others are doing as well.

'As usual we'll go through it thoroughly and pick out any advantage we can.

'You ride your own race regardless of what else is in there, you can't change your plans for one horse.

'You have to ride to gain the best possible position which is obviously winning the race.

'He's a very versatile horse, I know he is dropping back to two miles but he ran well in an Arkle and has the stamina to win over three miles.

'We could do with a few more like him,' he told At The Races.

(C) PA Sport