Masked Man to take Grade Two leap at Haydock

Masked Manis set to put his unbeaten record and tall reputation on the line in the curtain-raising Betfair Supports Safer Gambling Week Newton Novices’ Hurdle at Haydock on Saturday.

An impressive winner on his sole start in the Irish point-to-point sphere in the spring, the four-year-old made an excellent start to his career under rules for Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies when bolting up on his hurdling debut at Chepstow last month, beating a subsequent winner in Blue Carpet by 12 lengths.

Masked Man will now have his sights raised to Grade Two level on Merseyside, where he could meet Olly Murphy’s Persian War winner Sticktotheplan in a potentially mouthwatering opener to the Betfair Chase card.

“He’s come out of his race well, he did nice bit of work on Tuesday and it looks a good opportunity to run for nice prize-money,” said Willy Twiston-Davies.

“We think he’s potentially quite smart. He’s passing every test in that he’s won his point-to-point and gone and won his novice hurdle.

“We couldn’t have asked any more of him so far, so hopefully he keeps going on up the ranks.”