Le Beau Bai looks set to deny Coe

The Bingley-based stayer has always run well at Haydock and the testing conditions will suit – providing the track passes a morning inspection – but another tough stayer Miko De Beauchene was only just behind a year ago and has a massive 9lbs pull in the weights.

Grand National hero Mon Mome will be having his 'warm-up' race before another crack at the big one but should not be dismissed as he is by no means unfairly treated though the one to be on looks to be Le Beau Bai, from the in-form stable of Richard Lee.

Still a relative youngster in this sphere at seven, he ran a superb race behind Dream Alliance in the Welsh National before scoring over hurdles at Bangor.

The winner and runner-up from the Chepstow spectacular, Dream Alliance and Silver By Nature, both reoppose while Our Vic, who bounced back to form in the Peter Marsh, has plenty of class though the trip may prove his downfall.

Le Beau Bai is a progressive stayer with a fair racing weight and is certain to get a good ride from Yorkshire-based amateur Olly Greenall, whose 3lbs claim could prove invaluable in the closing stages of what is certain to be a gruelling contest.

Neither of the pair of Grade 2 events on the card are particularly attractive but Tony McCoy will not be concerned as he could scoop both prizes.

The champion is on board the impressive Sandown winner Beshabar in the Joseph Heler Cheese Hurdle and, as staying looks to be his game and Lough Derg is sure to set a blistering pace, he looks a young stayer worth following.

Incidentally, Cloudy Lane is another having a 'warm-up' before another crack at Aintree and it will be very interesting to see how he fares.

McCoy takes the ride on Adams Island in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle and though Rebecca Curtis's charge is taking a big leap in grade he faces what looks moderate opposition for this class of event.

All four of today's jump cards must pass inspections including Ascot, where the Grade 1 Betfair Ascot Chase takes centre stage.

Only half-a-dozen have entered for this huge prize but it is competitive enough and difficult to rule any of the sextet out.

Planet Of Sound could not quite get to Albertas Run in the Grade 2 Amlin 1965 Chase at Ascot last time but a 6lbs pull can enable Philip Hobbs's charge to reverse the form.

Wincanton surprisingly beat yesterday's inspection though it is possibly only a stay of execution as the track was still unraceable in the afternoon and bad weather was forecast last night.

Every effort will be made to stage the fixture which is highlighted by the class of current champion hurdler Punjabi and Christmas Hurdle runner-up Starluck.

The champion has not looked anywhere near his best so far this term and will undoubtedly be fitter but Starluck ran his best race at Kempton (despite Go Native idling) and gets the vote here receiving 4lbs.

Forpadydeplasterer moved a step closer to lining up in the Queen Mother Champion Chase after coming through a workout on the Curragh with flying colours.

Last year's Arkle hero will have a schooling session after racing at Leopardstown on February 28 before being given the green light to tackle Master Minded and company.

Edward O'Grady's Tranquil Sea will complete his Cheltenham Festival preparations in the paddypowerpoker.com Chase at Naas tomorrow.

The eight-year-old was a brilliant winner of the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham earlier in the season and was not disgraced in finishing second to Golden Silver in a Grade One event over Christmas.

O'Grady admits his charge will be better once stepped back up in trip but is keen to get one more run into his charge before a Ryanair Chase tilt.

''He's obviously better over two and a half miles but he ran well enough over Christmas and this is just a stepping stone to Cheltenham,'' said O'Grady.

''He's in good form and if all goes well he'll head for the Ryanair Chase.

York's Music Showcase weekend has quickly become one of the highlights of the Yorkshire racing season and this year's renewal promises to build on previous success with Madness headlining the after-racing entertainment on Friday, July 23.