AWARD WINNER

Mud-lover Minella can land hat-trick for Fry at Haydock

MINELLA AWARDS is fancied to pick up another gong by landing the Betfair Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle (2.25) at Haydock.

The six-year-old, trained by Harry Fry (above), returns to action on a hat-trick after victories at Sandown and Punchestown at the end of last season.

The son of Oscar was making his handicap debut when scoring by a length and a quarter on the Imperial Cup undercard at the Esher venue in March, and defied a 6lb rise to follow up off a mark of 134 in Ireland.

The assessor has stepped in again – this time Noel Fehily’s mount must compete from a revised rating of 145.

But it would be a surprise if Minella Awards were not capable of better, and his ability to handle the mud is another plus.

Top weight may not be enough to anchor in the Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle (1.50).

Twice a winner here at the end of last year, my selection made his reappearance in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las at the end of October.

Clyne came up against The New One, and emerged with plenty in credit in going under by three-quarters of a length to Nigel Twiston-davies’ stable stalwart.

With rising star Mitch Bastyan claiming a handy 5lb allowance, Clyne is expected to go one better.

Twiston-davies’ successful in a Worcester novice chase before running third to Black Corton in a similar event at Cheltenham last time, looks well treated in the Betfair Handicap Chase (3.35).

At Ascot, should enhance his Champion Hurdle claims with a victory in the Grace 2 Coral Hurdle (2.40).

Unbeaten in seven starts over obstacles last term, Philip Hobbs’ Triumph Hurdle hero should have more to offer in the coming months.

Alan King has chosen to swerve next week’s Ladbrokes Trophy with

– winner of the race when run as the Hennessy Gold Cup, in 2015 – and the tactic can pay off with victory in the Grade 2 Christy 1965 Chase (2.05).

Paul Nicholls’ who chased home stablemate Politologue in Exeter’s Haldon Gold Cup 18 days ago, appeals in the handicap chase (3.15).

MIN IN TO WIN IT Minella Awards and Noel Fehily clear the last on their way to victory at Sandown in March