Time For Rupert, the rising star of Paul Webber’s Mollington stables, near Banbury, is likely to test himself against the best in the Coral Ascot Hurdle on Saturday.

Webber has given the five-year-old gelding two entries at the weekend, but favours the Grade 2 contest at the Berkshire course over the Listed Timeform Betfair Racing Club ‘Fixed Brush’ Handicap Hurdle at Haydock the same day.

Time For Rupert, a winner three times last season including in a decent handicap at Aintree, would be taking on the likes of Katchit, Zaynar and Hardy Eustace at Ascot.

But Webber is optimistic his charge can put up a bold show.

“We're slightly undecided at the moment, but we are worried about the state of the ground at Haydock and having to go over three miles and one [furlong] first time out,” he said.

“At the moment we're looking at Ascot. He has won over two and a half [miles] at Huntingdon, which is a sharp, flat track, so it should be OK.

“I suppose if he were beaten out of sight on Saturday he might go chasing, but he's only five and I hope he has improved enough to go down the top staying hurdles route.”

HOOK Norton trainer Peter Hiatt sent out Moonshine Creek to score at Lingfield on Wednesday.

Simon Walker drove the seven-year-old home by a head from Extremely So in an amateur riders’ handicap over a mile and a half.