Drever Leads Distance Contenders

A high-class field of eight will go to post for the totesport.com Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury tomorrow.

Dual World Hurdle winner Inglis Drever goes in search of his third victory in the Grade Two event but he faces some high-class opposition, including Black Jack Ketchum.

Jonjo O'Neill's runner crashed out early in the World Hurdle on the only occasion the pair have met, but he arrives fresh from a victory at Wetherby.

Blazing Bailey, third in the Cheltenham event for Alan King, will bid to put a disappointing seasonal reappearance behind him as he joins stablemate Crystal D'Ainay in the line-up.

Francois Doumen has won the race twice in recent years with Baracouda and he sends Kasbah Bliss this time, while smart novice Chief Dan George will represent Jimmy Moffatt's yard.

Pertemps Final winner Oscar Park steps up in grade for David Arbuthnot with Special Envoy, who had a #100,000 race at Haydock at his mercy before a last-flight fall, completing the field.

Jimmy Moffatt is looking forward to getting Chief Dan George back on the course after beating Cheltenham Festival winner Wichita Lineman at Aintree in April.

'He did well last year and he had a good summer. He's been training for four months and we are very much looking forward to getting him on the course again,' said the Cartmel trainer.

'He missed his first intended start at Wetherby due to the fast ground. I know he hasn't run for a while but we've done everything we can at home.

'He had a racecourse gallop about two weeks ago and it went very well, so we are throwing our hat into the ring.

'There's rain forecast tonight and we know he handles heavy ground really well but he did win at Aintree on good ground, and having Mick Fitzgerald on our side is a big plus.'

Francois Doumen is hoping Kasbah Bliss can prove a successor to his former champion staying hurdler Baracouda, who won this race in 2003 and 2004 before going down narrowly to Inglis Drever two years ago.

'He's freshened up since his last race in France in October and the horse is in super condition,' said the French trainer.

'The target is the Long Walk, weather permitting. He's a horse who favours ground much better than soft.

'He took fifth place in the World Hurdle last season as a young five-year-old and he is a harder horse now.

'We are taking on Inglis Drever again. I suppose that's why I'm bringing a younger horse hoping to beat those chaps who are getting older.

'We had Baracouda and that is why we are trying to replace him with this horse.'

Man-of-the-moment Sam Thomas has come in for the ride on Blazing Bailey as usual partner Robert Thornton is required at Newcastle to partner Katchit.

For Thomas, fresh from his big-race victories on Kauto Star and Mr Pointment last weekend, Blazing Bailey is another top-class mount to look forward to on the day he rides Hennessy favourite Denman.

'It's a good spare ride to pick up,' said Thomas.

'For some reason he was really disappointing last time but he is obviously a very good horse on his day and I'm really looking forward to riding him.

'It looks a really good race, just about a re-run of the World Hurdle and I'm looking forward to it.

'After last weekend it would be unbelievable if something similar could happen again.'

(C) PA Sport