NORTON trainer Malcolm Jefferson can gather a premature helping of Christmas cheer at Haydock this afternoon by bagging a double.

Sun Cloud and Major Ivan, both mounts of Brian Hughes, are seeking to go one better after filling the runner-up position on the Lancashire course on their latest starts.

Sun Cloud contests the featured £30,000 Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase after chasing home Vieux Lion Rouge at Haydock four weeks ago. That display came hot on the heels of a fourth-placed effort in the Durham National at Sedgefield.

A strong stayer and a sound jumper, Sun Cloud is fancied to find opportunity knocking this time.

Major Ivan, overdue a win after filling the frame in his four races this season, goes for the Bet With Your Racing UK App Handicap Hurdle.

Blinkers were fitted to the six-year-old for the first time on his latest start when second to Island Heights. The headgear is retained today and Major Ivan deserves the chance to step up and finally get his head in front.

Three Faces West is an interesting runner in the nationwidevehiclecontracts.co.uk Handicap Hurdle.

Trained last season by Donald McCain, the seven-year-old won three of his four starts in hurdles and could well be open to further improvement in handicap company this.

Now with Philip Hobbs, Three Faces West will have the services of Tom O'Brien.

North Yorkshire trainer Alan Swinbank bids to complete a hat-trick of wins with Virnon in the opening Download Your Racing UK App Handicap Hurdle.

Twice a winner at Carlisle, the four-year-old is progressing nicely. If he can win again today, there will be bigger options open to him in the future.

Also worth noting at Haydock are Venetia Williams' Aso (12.25), who has performed well in his two outings this season at Newbury and Warwick, and Southwell winner Yes I Did (12.55).

The £150,000 Ladbroke Hurdle is the feature race onAscot's top-notch card and it could well produce an Irish-trained winner in Sort It Out.

Trained by Eddie Harty, he won at Punchestown in May after a sterling effort to finish second in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. If he's fit enough to do himself justice on his first run after a break, he should go well.

Saphir Du Rheu is a fascinating runner back over the smaller obstacles in the JLT Long Walk Hurdle.

Paul Nicholls' gelding finished fifth in the Hennessy Gold Cup on this course last month, after winning over fences at Carlisle and also recording a Grade 1 success in chase at Aintree in the spring.

Saphir Du Rheu had some high-class hurdles form last season, winning the Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham and finishing third to Cole Harden in the World Hurdle at the Cheltenham in March. He can readily adapt to this switch back in discipline and is awarded the nap vote.

Wakanda provides Yorkshire trainer Sue Smith with sound prospects of winning the £100,000 Sodexho Silver Cup Handicap Chase.

Danny Cook's mount has won both his races this season, at Wetherby and Newcastle, where he produced a gritty display to land the Rehearsal Chase. He remains on the up and may be up to lifting this competitive event.

SELECTIONS

Haydock: Voix d'Eau (1.15), a Doncaster winner three weeks ago, and Malibu Street (1.50), beaten a short-head at Sandown on his latest start, are also worth a passing look on this excellent programme.

Ascot: 12.40 Varom 1.15 Voix d'Eau 1.50 Malibu Sun 2.25 Saphir Du Rheu (NAP) 3.00 Wakanda 3.35 Sort It Out Haydock 11.55 Virnon 12.25 Aso 12.55 Yes I Did 1.30 Whispering Harry 2.05 Three Faces West 2.40 Sun Cloud 3.15 Major Ivan