Haydock trial is target for Nuaffe

NUAFFE will bid to turn round a hitherto disappointing campaign in Sunday's rescheduled Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown before attempting a repeat triumph in the Greenalls Grand National Trial at Haydock Park on Saturday, February 24th.

Pat Fahy's 11 year old, who outgunned Riverside Boy by half a length in last year's renewal, is without a win in six outings this term and turned in a lacklustre performance when last of 11 finishers behind Wylde Hide in the Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park last month.

However, the Co Carlow trainer believes his bay is on his way back to his best form. "I wanted to get a run into him around Christmas but all the meets were called off, so he needed the run in the Thyestes," said Fahy.

"But I would definitely say he is returning to form now and I would like to get a run or maybe two into him before the Greenalls. We'll see how he gets on in the Hennessy next Sunday."

Fahy will be keeping a close eye on the Martell Grand National lunch at the Dorchester Hotel today when the weights for the Aintree chase will be unveiled. Last year Nuaffe came down at the 20th behind Royal Athlete but Fahy has, no qualms about returning to Liverpool.

"He's entered for the National and that will be his target after the Greenalls," he added. "He should get a nice weight tomorrow and I'm not worried about the fences. I think it's a case of the bigger the better for him, because he respects them."

With £80,000 added to stakes, the Greenalls Grand National Trial is now the joint second most valuable handicap chase of the season. Also on offer is the Greenall Bonus of £58,000, payable if one of the first three horses home at Haydock goes on to win at Aintree.

Favourite Warm Spell will sneak into the handicap proper for Saturday's Tote Gold Trophy thanks to a newly introduced clause in the race conditions. The weights rose only 3lb for the £100,000 Newbury race after yesterday's acceptance stage, leaving last month's Kempton winner still 4lb out of a handicap headed by Moorish on 11st 10lb.

But a new clause in Saturday's two mile handicap hurdle stipulates that: "If no horse at 12st or above is declared at the overnight stage the weights will be raised to 12st," which will, bring Warm Spell up to the minimum 10st.

"That seems fine," said his trainer Gary Moore. "Now our only problem is the weather - fingers crossed it goes ahead.

"Warm Spell is in pretty good form and I am very pleased with him. He hasn't been held up in his work. We have only had one gallop open but that shouldn't make a problem. He has done plenty of work and he was fit enough at Kempton he should be fitter this time."

Tony McCoy partnered Warm Spell to a four length triumph over Frickley at Kempton and is expected to be on board again on Saturday. "Tony McCoy was pressed with him at Kempton and said he would ride him again," Moore said.

"I would give Pridwell plenty of respect and they say Frickley has improved since Kempton - he would need to - but I definitely wouldn't swap Warm Spell for any of them."

Ferdy Murphy certainly hopes Frickley can turn the tables on Warm Spell this time. "He is really well and progressing all the time," he said. "There is a turn round in the weights with Warm Spell this time, although the race is a bit of a lottery and you need luck in running."

Moore's worries about the weather prospects for Newbury were borne out by a course spokeswoman who said: "At the moment the ground is frozen and we have got snow forecast for later today. It doesn't look hopeful with frosts forecast for most nights but if it warmed up we might be OK."

If the meeting survives, top weight will not deter John White from pitching Champion Hurdle hope Moorish, tailed off on his reappearance at Haydock last month, into Saturday's race.