THE decision to put REVE DE SIVOLA back over fences after a gap of more than four years may have come as a surprise but the star staying hurdler can reward connections with victory in the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock today.

On closer study, the move is a sensible one as Reve De Sivola can run off 21lb less over the bigger obstacles compared to hurdles.

It is not a desperate measure as the 11-year-old was still competing with credit at the top level over timber, only going down by eight lengths to emerging star Thistlecrack in his bid to win the Long Walk at Ascot for the fourth year running.

Reve De Sivola's form over fences may not be as good as that over hurdles – but his only success to date came at the main expense of Wishfull Thinking and he finished in the first four at the Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown Festivals in 2011.

Three miles on heavy ground is ideal for the Nick Williams-trained gelding, while the fences at Haydock are not as stiff as they used to be.

Nap choice Reve De Sivola has plenty going for him and he looks a good bet to land the spoils with James Reveley on board.

THE NEW ONE gave one of his least impressive performances to win the StanJames.com Champion Hurdle Trial 12 months ago but he remains a classy operator and can repeat that triumph.

Successful on his reappearance at Kempton in October, Nigel Twiston-Davies' stable star lost nothing in defeat when running Faugheen to seven lengths back at the Sunbury venue in the Christmas Hurdle.

Twiston-Davies should also be on the mark with BRISTOL DE MAI in the Star Your RacingUK Free Trial Now Novices' Chase.

The Naunton handler has a considerably high opinion of the five-year-old – who has made a very promising start to his fencing career, winning at Warwick and Leicester and finishing second to two quality opponents in Garde La Victoire and Ar Mad in his other two starts.

At Ascot, all eyes will be on UN DE SCEAUX as last year's Arkle Trophy hero bids to bounce back from a fall at Leopardstown and reinforce his Queen Mother Champion Chase claims.

Willie Mullins' trailblazing eight-year-old is still ante-post favourite for the two-mile championship at Cheltenham, despite his blip over Christmas when he looked to be in charge of affairs until his untimely exit.

It will be no walkover in the Sodexo Clarence House Chase as he is sure to be tested – in particular by Sire De Grugy, a former winner of this and the Champion Chase – but Un De Sceaux looks a bit special.

Mullins had two winners at Warwick last Saturday and can repeat the trick at Ascot as VROUM VROUM MAG will surely prove hard to beat in the OLBG.com Mares' Hurdle.

The ex-French seven-year-old won her first six starts for Mullins, all over fences, before taking her winning streak to seven with a hurdles success at Clonmel last month. She is a class act.

REGAL ENCORE has always threatened to collect a decent pot and his turn can come in the bet365 Handicap Chase.

Anthony Honeyball's eight-year-old opened his account over fences with a solid verdict over Cloonacool at Plumpton. That victory will have given him confidence and he is taken to follow up in handicap company.

SOME BUCKLE can strike for Paul Nicholls in the Bathwick Tyres Taunton Novices' Limited Handicap Chase at the Somerset track.

Lingfield's 32Red.com Conditions Stakes, a fast-track qualifier for the all-weather championships on Good Friday, can fall to Godolphin's ANGLOPHILE.

Charlie Appleby's gelding took this race 12 months before going down by a head to Mymatechris on the big day. He will be wound up for a repeat.