Victory for Le Milos in the ₤ 100,000 Unibet Middle Distance Veterans' Handicap Chase at Haydock would be very welcome for Dan Skelton, as he valiantly tries to fend off the may of Willie Mullins.

For the second year in a row Skelton has actually seen a significant benefit in the trainers' title race quickly decrease, after Mullins controlled at Cheltenham, took the lion's share of the ₤ 1million available in the Grand National and then had the one-two in last weekend's Scottish National.

Races with this amount of prize-money - with ₤ 51,440 for top place - away from the big conferences are rare, and with Mullins not having a runner, it is a great chance for Skelton to retreat before the Closutton maker rolls into and Perth over the next couple of days.

Three runs ago Le Milos won in veterans' company and having been out at Newbury and Aintree considering that, must find life a little easier versus horses more his age.

"We ran him at Aintree as we were looking for someplace where the ground would be best for him," said Ladbrokes ambassador Skelton.

"The ground up here will be no issue; he's won on excellent ground before, and he remains in good form.

Le Milos won the 2022 Coral Gold Cup (John Walton/PA)

"He's running well, and clearly won at Warwick versus the veterans, and this is the very first time he's been back against the veterans because that day. Hopefully he is among the gamers in this league and he can go well here."

Skelton is presently 3-1 with Ladbrokes to declare a first title after keeping Mullins (2-9) at arm's length through the week.

In 2015's winner Numitor is back for more for Heather Main.

The grey has actually delighted in a great season this term too, winning 3 of his 5 outings - consisting of last time out at Ascot - but that suggests he is nearly a stone greater in the weights.

"Numitor is truly well. This has been our objective the entire season and he is all set to go," said Main.

"Ascot last time wasn't the plan however it ended up being his prep race for the final on Saturday.

"We didn't understand if he would remain and while he had actually operated on quicker ground, with a huge horse like him you are never ever rather sure. But in the end he liked the ground and he liked three miles. Hopefully that run wasn't too close however he needed a prep run due to the fact that there had been a little bit of a space considering that he last ran.

"Although he has actually run primarily in smaller sized fields, I do not think field size is important to him as long as he enters a rhythm. He loves racing and he loves jumping - he just pings them which is what he is all about."

Regarding the extra weight Main stated: "It does not worry me excessive although I do not wish to be overly positive. He is such a huge horse and we feel the larger they are, the more they have the ability to bring the weight. I hope that shows the case on Saturday."

Joe Tizzard runs both Eldorado Allen and The Widow Maker, Henry Hogarth's Flic Ou Voyou shows up on the back of a win while Dubai Days (Nick Alexander) has actually been focused on this all season.