PITMAN PLANNING DONCASTER RAID

Mark Pitman will launch a strong assault on Doncaster this Saturday.

The Lambourn trainer is set to run Bank Avenue in the #40,000 Pertemps Great Yorkshire Chase while Run For Paddy and Zaffre Noir will both go for the River Don Novices` Hurdle on the same card.

Bank Avenue is set to carry 10st and is as short as 10-1 for the contest with Ladbrokes.

Pitman said today: 'He`s an intended runner and Timmy Murphy will ride.

'He`s got a good weight and we`re hoping for a good run.

'He`s a nice sort of horse and we`re hoping for the best. It`s a competitive race but for that prize money it`s bound to be.'

Run For Paddy goes for the Grade Two novice event rather than the Grade One Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The five-year-old, a winner three times this season, finished second to Mister Banjo in a conditions race at Cheltenham last time.

'Run For Paddy will go to Doncaster for the River Don,' Pitman said.

'I`ll have two in that because I`ll run Zaffre Noiras well, who won well at Newbury last time. Dean Gallagher will ride him.

'The Cleeve looks very competitive with the likes of Barton and Lady Rebecca in it so we thought we would run in the novices` race.

'We might have to run in it next year but this year we don`t.'

The trainer also had news of Smurfit Champion Hurdle `dark horse` Hitman.

The gelding finished fourth behind Geos in the Bula Hurdle at Cheltenham last time on only his second start over hurdles but had to miss an intended outing over Christmas following a setback.

'He worked today, it went well but we haven`t made up our minds what we`re doing yet,' Pitman added.

'He might go for the Agfa Hurdle at Sandown or Wetherby next weekend.

'He was entered for the Supreme Novices` Hurdle today.'

Hitman is a 14-1 chance for the Champion Hurdle with Ladbrokes.