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Williams chasing a second Betfair 'This Is Play' "Fixed Brush" Hurdle with Aubusson at Haydock Park on Saturday.
Aubusson is set to tackle three miles for the first time in the £80,000 Grade Three Betfair 'This Is Play' "Fixed Brush" Handicap Hurdle (2.25pm) at Haydock Park on Saturday, November 22.
Trainer Nick Williams is bidding for a second victory in the valuable contest having sent out Diamond Harry, who was also stepping up in trip, to land the spoils under 11st 12lb in 2009.
Aubusson won two of his four starts last season, including when defying a penalty in a hotly-contested two and a half mile novices' hurdle at Cheltenham on New Year's Day.
The five-year-old finished the campaign over the same course and distance when third to Red Sherlock and Rathvinden in the Grade Two Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle on January 25.
Aubusson made a promising return to action in the Grade Three toteliveinfo.com Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle at Chepstow on October 25, going down narrowly to Shelford after losing momentum at the final flight.
Jane Williams, assistant trainer and owner of Aubusson, said today: "Aubusson will go for the "Fixed Brush" Hurdle providing the ground does not come up heavy.
"I was really pleased with his reappearance at Chepstow and his preparation has gone very well since then.
"I was slightly surprised that a lot of the media thought he wouldn't have won at Chepstow. They thought the winner was a brilliant horse but Aubusson would have got the better of him had he not missed the last.
"I was thrilled with the run. He has gone up 6lb though which is never ideal, especially after finishing second like that.
"I would be anxious about three miles on heavy ground, but the ground is soft at the moment and forecast is not too bad this week. I can't see it being any worse than it is now so we will see how we get on."
Her daughter Lizzie Kelly, who claims 7lb, is the regular rider of Aubusson, a 10/1 chance with Betfair Fixed Odds.
The 25 confirmations are headlined by Volnay De Thaix (Nicky Henderson) and Katkeau (David Pipe), who top the betting at 7/1 and 8/1 respectively.
Volnay De Thaix will have to shoulder a penalty after an impressive success in two and a half mile handicap hurdle at Huntingdon on November 11, while Katkeau could bid to give Pipe a fourth victory in five years following a successful comeback at Cheltenham last weekend.
Other notable contenders include Cesarewitch winner Big Easy (8/1, Philip Hobbs), Oscar Rock (14/1, Malcolm Jefferson) and 2012 victor Trustan Times (14/1, Tim Easterby).
The highlight of Haydock Park's seven-race programme is £200,000 Grade One Betfair Chase (3.00pm) over three miles and a furlong. Last year's winner Cue Card (Colin Tizzard) is set to renew rivalry with Ryanair Chase scorer Dynaste (David Pipe) and King George VI Chase hero Silviniaco Conti (Paul Nicholls), who finished second and third respectively 12 months ago.
Champion Hurdle second favourite The New One (Nigel Twiston-Davies) will be another star on show in the inaugural £100,000 Betfair Price Rush Hurdle (1.50pm, seven confirmations) over two miles.
Saturday's card at Haydock Park is the richest Jump raceday in Britain outside of the Crabbie's Grand National and The Festival at Cheltenham with prize money of £500,000 on offer.
Betfair Fixed Odds Betting
Fixed Brush Hurdle: 6/1 Volnay de Thaix, 7/1 Katkeau, 8/1 Big Easy, Vieux Lion Rouge, 10/1 Aubusson, Unique de Cotte, 12/1 Heath Hunter, 14/1 Dara Tango, Oscar Rock, Shimla Dawn, Spirit Of Shankly, Stonebrook, Utopie des Bordes, 16/1 Henryville, Lower Hope Dandy, One For Harry, Sound Investment, Sybarite, Trustan Times, Upswing 20/1 Uncle Jimmy, 25/1 Araldur, Junction Fourteen, Kingsmere, 33/1 Awaywiththegreys
Betfair Chase: 11/4 Cue Card, 7/2 Silviniaco Conti, 4/1 Dynaste, 6/1 Taquin Du Seuil, 7/1 Menorah, 16/1 Harry Topper, Medermit, 20/1 Double Ross, 33/1 The Giant Bolster
The Price Rush Hurdle: 1/3 The New One, 7/2 Melodic Rendezvous, 10/1 Aurore Destruval, 14/1 Hawk High, Zamdy Man, 25/1 Williams Wishes, 40/1 Lightening Rod
