NATIONAL Hunt fans are in a for a treat today with some classy action on the menu and Silviniaco Conti, a beaten favourite in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby three weeks ago, can bounce back to top form at Haydock in the first Grade 1 chase of the season.

The £200,000 Betfair Chase promises to be a crackerjack of a race, with nine runners, including the first three home from 12 months ago when Cue Card beat Dynaste and Silviniaco Conti.

The difference then and now is that Silviniaco Conti went into last year's contest without a preparatory outing. This time, he's been to Wetherby, and although his backers with left with singed fingers when he could finish only fifth, there were mitigating factors. The race was run over a distance shorter than advertised, the ground was quicker than ideal for him and the race took place at a time when Nicholls' horses in general were looking in need of their comeback outings.

Silviniaco Conti does, of course, need to step up on that performance if he is to beat Menorah, Taquin Du Seuil and Double Ross- the first three home in the Charlie Hall - but there is every chance he can. It is worth remembering what he achieved on his second start last season, when handsomely winning the King George V1 Chase at Kempton. The extended three miles and testing ground he will face this afternoon are in his favour and Nicholls horses are now in excellent form.

While Silviniaco Conti won this celebrated Haydock contest two seasons ago, Cue Card took the honours last year. He looks sure to go well again, but he was subsequently put firmly into his place by Silviniaco Conti in the King George. Dynaste also has work to do to beat the selection. Although one place ahead of him in this race last year, he was well behind him in the King George and runner-up to him at Aintree in April.

It's a not-to-be-missed race. Noel Fehily takes his usual place aboard Silviniaco Conti and, after the disappointment of Wetherby, can steer him to success.

The New One is many people's idea of this season's Champion Hurdle winner. He puts his reputation on the line in the inaugural running of the £100,000 Betfair Price Rush Hurdle. An unlucky third in last season's Champion Hurdle, the star of the Nigel Twiston-Davies yard made a successful reappearance at Kempton and will take the world of beating today. Norton trainer John Quinn is, however, hoping for a good run from his highly-regarded mare Aurore d'Estruval, easy winner of a Listed race at Wetherby three weeks ago.

In the £80,000 Betfair Fixed Brush Handicap Hurdle, a bold bid is expected from the lightly-weighted Katkeau, who carries a 5lb penalty for his comfortable Cheltenham success on his comeback from a long break last week. He is one of two runners - Vieux Lion Rouge is the other - representing David Pipe, who has won three of the last four runnings of this race.

Mick Easterby can enjoy a successful foray on the opposite side of the Pennines with nap selection Lightening Rod in the opening Feel The Rush At Betfair Handicap Hurdle.

The nine-year-old was a hugely impressive winner at Wetherby on his latest start and is fancied to follow-up, provided his amateur rider Harry Bannister can produce this habitual hold-up performer with a well-timed challenge to arrive at the head of affairs no sooner than the final flight.

Also worth noting on a card which boasts a magnificent £500,000 in prize money, are Nicky Henderson's Dawalan (1-15), stepping up in trip, and Renard (3-35), who should have benefited from last month's reappearance outing.

At Ascot all eyes will be on Faugheen in the £90,000 Coral Hurdle.

The six-year-old, trained in Ireland by champion Willie Mullins, swept all before him over hurdles last season, winning all his five races and ended up capturing Grade 1 events at the Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals.

Faugheen is a hugely exciting prospect and although this race is no cakewalk on his comeback, it will be a shock if he is defeated. Ruby Walsh will be in the saddle.

Selections

Haydock today

12-10 Lightening Rod (NAP)

12-45 Gas Line Boy

1-15 Dawalan

1-50 The New One

2-25 Katkeau

3-00 Silviniaco Conti

3-35 Renard

Ascot today

12-25 Parish Business

1-00 Polisky

1-30 Spartan Angel

2-05 Wishfull Thinking

2-40 Faugheen

3-15 Bellenos

3-50 Sugar Baron