Marsiac out to make it a Kim double at Hereford

MARSIAC can make it back-to-back wins for Kim Bailey and Mat Nicholls in the Celebrating Venetias 30 Years In Training Novices' Hurdle at Hereford.

- By ASHLEY IVESON

A decent fourth behind subsequent Cheltenham winner De Temps En Temps on his rules debut at Uttoxeter, the four-year-old then won what looked a strong maiden hurdle at Aintree, beating another six-figure purchase in Big Ticket by a length.

Big Ticket did that form no harm by finishing second again at Ascot on Saturday and with that in mind, Marsiac looks capable of defying the mandatory winner's penalty in novice company before stepping up in class later in the season.

Four Springs is of huge interest in the 2009 Grand National Winner Mon Mome Novices' Hurdle.

The Berkshire gelding was a 22-length winner of his sole start in the Irish point-to-point field, subsequently changing hands for E82,000.