MAN MURPHY'S ability to handle heavy ground could prove crucial in what promises to be a battle royal for this afternoon's £40,000 Dipper Chase at Haydock.

The abandonment of water-logged Newcastle has led to the race being switched from Tyneside, but thank goodness the BHB agreed to the last-minute change of venue because the cantorsport.co.uk-sponsored event brings together four of the leading two-and-a-half-mile novice chasers currently operating.

Shining Tyne is the only one of the quintet in the starting line-up to have no realistic chance as Jungle Jinks, Keen Leader, The Bajan Bandit and Mary Reveley's Man Murphy have all shown outstanding form over fences.

The probable favourite will be Keen Leader, robbed of success in the Grade One Sun Alliance Hurdle at last year's Cheltenham Festival when crashing out at the second last flight. It was a costly error that puts a question mark against his jumping when under pressure, a remark that also applies to The Bajan Bandit.

Both were impressive on their respective latest victories, however neither broke sweat since they were taking on sub-standard opposition.

Man Murphy, on the other hand, was giving lumps of weight away when thumping the useful Pendle Hill on a bog-like surface last time out. Using that performance as a yardstick, he's definitely got the beating of The Bajan Bandit, which leaves only Jungle Jinks.

Despite having knocked in a glorious hat-trick over fences, George Moore's gelding might not be quite good enough, leaving just Man Murphy (2.20).

Some big southern guns have come up for the opening two-mile novices Hurdle, including Lambourn-based pair Be My Destiny and River City (12.20).

The latter, trained by dual Gold Cup winning trainer Noel Chance, demolished a sizeable field at Newton Abbot in November in the style of a very exciting young horse. Not only does River City possess a decent turn of foot, he also stays well and handles the mud.

For extra insurance, Chance has taken the precaution of securing the services of the top-flight conditional rider David Crosse, taking a valuable 5lb off the selection's back.

Sue Smith is enjoying her best ever season and there appears to be further glory in the pipeline via Mister McGoldrick (12.50).

Mister McGoldrick is another who really relishes soft ground and could not have been more impressive when slamming Colourful Life and Deep Water at Wetherby on December 7th.

Sue might also be back in business when both Lisdante and Tonoco (2.55) take their chance for the stable in the three-mile Cantor Index Handicap Chase.

Preference is marginally for Tonoco, who jumped like a stag when winning over course and distance last Saturday. The Trevor Hemmings-owned ten-year-old has always promised to be pretty decent over the bigger obstacles and he is now beginning to fulfil those lofty expectations.

Try leaving the closing Red Square Novices' Hurdle to Blunham Hill (3.30), a young hurdler to watch out for judged by the favourable impression created when finishing third at the track in December.

John Upson's lightly-raced five-year-old improved out of all proportion between his first and second starts, a trend I fully expect to continue.

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