Donal Hassett's Native Scout is among the 13 declared for the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot and the trainer is confident of glory in the £120,000 contest.
Earlier this week, Hassett claimed that his horse is the one they have to beat and recent rain at the venue will have boosted the gelding's chances further.
In his last race run, Native Scout ran a very game second behind Moscow Flyer in the Paddy Power Dial-a-Bet Chase at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival. Using that as a guide, he is now vying for favouritism with Paul Nicholls' Azertyuiop for the Ascot feature.
Azertyuiop will shoulder top weight of 11st 10lb, while the other Nicholls runner - last year's winner - Young Devereux has 10st 7lb.
A field of 13 will line up for the most valuable two-mile chase after the Queen Mother Champion Chase, with Fadoudal Du Cochet, the only notable absentee.
Filed by James McMahon
