Racing: Kingsmark and Dennis back on Aintree trail

David Dennis and his mount Kingsmark completed a hat-trick of victories in the Edward Hanmer Memorial Chase at Haydock Park yesterday and another tilt at the Grand National in April is now in prospect.

The nine-year-old finished fourth in the Aintree marathon last season despite losing his action crossing the Melling Road for the final time.

But there was no hint of any problems yesterday as the 100-30 chance defied top weight of 11st 10lb in soft ground to beat the 3-1 favourite Chives by one and a half lengths. Kingsmark picked up a 6lb penalty for the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury at the end of the month but is not certain to run there, the grey's trainer, Martin Todhunter, said.

But Terry Biddlecombe, husband of Chives's trainer Henrietta Knight, said: "We were thrilled with him. Chives has 10st 4lb in the Hennessy and could run at Newbury if he got his favoured soft ground."

Another Hennessy possible is Takagi, who won the Troytown Chase by five lengths at Navan yesterday. "We'll have a look at the Hennessy, depending on whether he'll get his soft ground and how the handicapper treats him," Edward O'Grady, the winner's trainer, said. The lone English raider, Behrajan, finished last of the six contenders and badly disappointed his trainer, Henry Daly.