Paul Henderson targeting Cheltenham repeat with Un Beau Roman

Paul Henderson is looking to Un Beau Roman to repeat his Cheltenham success of last year when he lines up in Friday's BetVictor Handicap Chase, the main event on the first day of the November Meeting.

The nine-year-old claimed the £45,000 prize by just a head last term but subsequently failed to hit the target in seven starts, most recently finishing down the field at Cheltenham last month.

He is set to be joined by Doitforthevillage, who finished in front of him last month, in the two-mile heat and Henderson hoping for good efforts from both runners.

"I think that both Un Beau Roman and Doitforthevillage will run in the BetVictor Handicap Chase," he said.

"It was always the plan to run them at the Showcase to get them ready for this, although I could do with a bit of rain for Doitforthevillage.

"Doitforthevillage did very well last year, winning five races, and I thought he ran a good race last time. Paddy Brennan said that the ground was just a little bit fast for him - the jumps came a bit quickly and he couldn't jump at that speed - so a bit of cut next week would help.

"Un Beau Roman needed the run last time, when he blew up, and he has been working better at home. He hated the heavy ground on his first start of the season at Newton Abbot (October 2) and, because they didn't go a strong pace, he didn't come on that much for it.

"He has been a dropped a bit by the handicapper and will be lining up 2lb lower than the mark he won off last year.

"It was slightly different last year because I didn't give him a break through the summer, so he was much more forward. I gave him three months off this time, so he has needed his first and second run to come on.

"Doitforthevillage is still open to improvement. He was travelling pretty sweetly in the Red Rum Handicap Chase at Aintree in April, when he got knocked into another horse and was tripped up."

Henderson's pair are among 13 contenders for Friday's race while there are 17 horses entered for the £25,000 Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase on the same card.

The first four home from the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at the Festival in March - the Gordon Elliott-trained pair of Cause Of Causes and Bless The Wings plus Cantlow and Auvergnat, who are both trained by Enda Bolger - feature among the contenders.