Calgary and Taranis top Sky weights

Henrietta Knight's Calgary Bay bounced back to form on Town Moor last time out when winning a handicap by seven lengths while Paul Nicholls's Taranis has not been seen since picking up an injury in the 2007 King George VI Chase.

Just 1lb lower in the weights are the David Pipe-trained pair of Tamarinbleu and Our Vic with Ollie Magern, Killyglen and Nozic a further 1lb lower.

As well as Taranis and Nozic, Nicholls could also run My Will (11st 9lb), Tatenen (11st 7lb) and Kicks For Free (11st 4lb).

Venetia Williams's Festival winner, Something Wells (11st 9lb), Pipe's Seven Is My Number (11st 7lb) and John Quinn's Character Building (11st 4lb) are others towards the head of the weights that catch the eye.

Jonjo O'Neill's Theatrical Moment (11st 1lb) is prominent in the ante-post market after a couple of recent wins along with Nicky Henderson's Duc De Regniere (11st 7lb) who finished runner-up in the Lanzarote Hurdle on Saturday.

Hennessy has not been seen since winning last season's bet 365 Gold Cup under a vintage ride from Tony McCoy when trained by Carl Llewellyn.

A number of setbacks have delayed his comeback this term for new trainer Warren Greatrex but he is now ready to go with a crack at the Grand National on the agenda.

"Hennessy's big target right now is the Sky Bet Chase," said Greatrex. He is in good form and I would like him to run well in that to make sure he gets in the Grand National.

"I have decided, just from the way things have gone this winter, that it's probably the right time to have a crack at Aintree with him.

"His profile would suggest that he is in the right sort of area to be having a go at that.

"He wouldn't want bottomless ground, but at Doncaster the ground seems to be better than anywhere else. Three miles around there seems like a nice race in which to bring him back.

"I would expect a big run and that will set him up for a couple of things later in the year, with the National the main aim.

"We know he stays, he jumps well, Doncaster is a big galloping track and although it's probably his minimum trip, it looks like the right place to start him off."

Yesterday's card at Newbury had to be called off after heavy snow made the track unsafe.

After a 9am inspection, clerk of the course Richard Osgood said: "Early rain quickly turned to snow and it's getting worse. The forecast is no better and we have had to abandon."

Today's card at Ludlow is subject to an early morning inspection, while tomorrow's Chepstow programme is also in doubt following heavy rain but Catterick reported no problems with good to soft ground and a dry forecast.