Unfashionable trainer Roger Curtis can upstage the "big boys" with his stable ace Dontleavethenest in the First National Bank Gold Cup at Ascot today. The Carshalton handler has had some useful horses in his time, such as the 1993 Midlands Grand National winner Mister Ed and Fontwell specialist St Athans Lad.
But Dontleavethenest could be the one to elevate him to star status.
He hinted that he could be something out of the ordinary when winning four novice chases last season.
The gelding began this campaign by falling at the third-last fence in a three-horse affair at Kempton when appearing to have the race at his mercy.
He made amends in great style with victory in the two-mile United Construction Handicap Chase at Ascot three weeks ago, beating Chief's Song, who had capitalised on Dontleavethenest's Kempton error, by three lengths.
Of his main rivals, it is hard to fancy the Martin Pipe-trained top weight Northern Starlight, who is having his first race of the season, while Hurricane Lamp was slightly disappointing at Cheltenham last week.
Irbee, unbeaten in two races this season for Paul Nicholls, looks the one most likely to bustle up Dontleavethenest.
Meanwhile at Aintree, Samlee can lift the Tote Becher Chase over the Grand National fences for the second successive year.
The Philip Hobbs-trained nine-year-old was third to Earth Summit in the big race itself last April and can turn the tables on terms 17lb better.
He has also had the benefit of a run this autumn, finishing an excellent second to Coome Hill at Ascot last month.
Or Royal can win his first race since the 1997 Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham by taking the Independent Insurance Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon.
The Martin Pipe-trained seven-year-old has run several fine races in defeat, notably when second to One Man in the Queen Mother Champion Chase last season.
The conditions of today's race suit Or Royal, who looks a good bet to lift this £29,000-added event.
Pasternak can also land a welcome win in the Ladbroke Wulfrun Stakes at Wolverhampton.
Winner of the John Smith's Magnet Cup and the Tote Cambridgeshire in 1997, the Sir Mark Prescott-trained entire has been out of luck on turf this year.
However, he looks different class to these rivals and can add this £54,000-added Listed event to his tally.
Jamie Osborne rode a perfect race aboard New Leaf to land the Punch Bowl Novices' Handicap Chase at Ascot yesterday.
Osborne did well to stay in the saddle when the David Gandolfo-trained 7 to 2 joint favourite was hampered by Rambling Sam's fall at the seventh fence. New Leaf was half a dozen lengths down on the lead approaching the final turn, but Osborne then conjured a smooth run out of the bay.
One length down at the last of the 20 fences, New Leaf hit the front on the flat and had a length and a quarter to spare over Marble City at the line, with half back to Celtic Duke.
