Crozan Only A Possible For Weekend Return

Hopes are high that Crozan has finally rediscovered his form of a year ago, although the six-year-old is not certain to start his campaign in Saturday's ladbrokes.com Handicap Chase at Newbury.

A hugely impressive winner on his British debut at Cheltenham a year ago, the ex-French gelding was unable to produce a semblance of that form in three subsequent starts.

Trainer Nicky Henderson was baffled by his downfall but said: 'We are nearly getting back there, but it may be a week too soon.

'I was eyeing the intermediate chase at Sandown next month (Future Stars Chase), but I think Star De Mohaison might run there now.

'I've no idea why he went off the boil. We had a stab at it being ulcers, and went through him from head to foot.

'It all went to bits ? he even forgot how to jump, but we're very nearly there.'

Henderson also confirmed last season's high-class juvenile Afsoun on course for the Stan James Intermediate Hurdle on the same card.

However, he will be treading a more cautious path with Mariah Rollins, who arrived at the yard this season after being bought at the sales.

A Grade One winner as a novice for Pat Fahy in Ireland, she had been pencilled in for this month's Paddy Power Gold Cup.

'Three weeks before the race I thought I had a dilemma, with her, Fondmort and Copsale Lad flying, but then she went all quiet on me. She went very sleepy, but she's back cantering and is a lovely mare,' Henderson reported.

(C) PA Sport