Aintree return for Hemmings' Cloudy Dream?

Cloudy Dream, who carries the colours of the Preston North End owner, was runner-up in the Lightning Novices’ Chase at Doncaster, the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham and the Manifesto Novices’ Chase at Aintree last spring, before rounding off his campaign with a deserved victory in the Future Champion Novices’ Chase at Ayr.

His trainer Malcolm Jefferson has also entered the exciting Waiting Patiently for this weekend’s two-and-a-half-mile Grade Two, but he is unlikely to line up unless conditions deteriorate.

The trainer’s daughter and assistant, Ruth Jefferson, said: “If the ground keeps drying out we’ll probably run Cloudy Dream.

“Both horses are in good form and are ready to go, but Waiting Patiently does want softer ground.”

Cloudy Dream and Waiting Patiently feature on a high-quality list of 24 horses entered for the Old Roan, feature event on Sunday’s card.