Pass The Hat flies the Irish flag at Doncaster Pass The Hat is the only Irish-trained contender in the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster on Saturday. Arthur Moore's nine-year-old was last seen running well over hurdles at Punchestown and should relish the step back in trip as he reverts to fences. His trainer heads to Yorkshire hopeful of a big run but he doesn't want conditions to become too testing. Moore said: "We have been looking for some better ground for Pass The Hat and I am hoping they don't get too much rain. "I was very happy with his last run at Punchestown. It was a nice performance and gave us the encouragement to travel over with him. "He hasn't won over three miles but has run some good races at the trip and I think he gets it on good ground. "We have had the Sky Bet Chase in mind for Pass The Hat for quite a while as it looked like a race where he would hopefully get his preferred going. "We will see how he gets on Saturday and then make plans for the rest of the season." Jockey Nick Scholfield feels Le Mercurey is at the right end of the weights to mount a major challenge. The Paul Nicholls-trained six-year-old has made just three appearances over fences, winning at Plumpton and Ascot before perhaps having his limitations exposed in a well-contested novice event at Cheltenham on New Year's Day. He switches to handicap company for the first time this weekend as the champion trainer aims to scoop a major prize in his bid to fend off the Irish challenge of Willie Mullins in the title race. "He's done well in his novice races and is on a nice racing weight with 10st 9lb on his back," said Scholfield. "He looks an improving horse and I think the better ground will help him a lot. "It's a competitive race, but I think having a light weight on his back should stand him in good stead and I'm looking forward to it." Ziga Boy is a major contender for Alan King after impressing over the course and distance a month ago. The seven-year-old is over a stone higher in the weights now, but Dan Downie, who runs the owning Axom Syndicate, is anticipating a bold show. He said: "He's really well and did what we expected last time after a couple of disappointing runs. "To be fair he had excuses with ground and one or two other things, but he jumped well on his last run and the fact the track seems to suit him well has to be a positive. "He's up a lot in the weights, but he's entitled to be after what he did there last time. "This will obviously be a lot tougher, but he has 10st on his back and I'm hopeful he's good enough to run really well." Buywise would not be winning out of turn, having run well in the Paddy Power Gold Cup and the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham. Evan Williams is keen to see how his enigmatic gelding fares over three miles. He said: " The horse has been in grand form all winter and hasn't run a bad race."
