KNOWHERE is in “very good form” ahead of his bid for back-to-back wins in Saturday’s totetentofollow Old Roan Chase at Aintree.

The Nigel Twiston-Davies-trainer 11-year-old just beat the ill-fated Exotic Dancer to win the Grade Two contest last year.

He couldn’t build on that and disappointed in the Hennessey Gold Cup at Newbury, the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup and when pulled up in the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree.

But Twiston-Davies’ assistant Carl Llewellyn has been delighted with the gelding at home, having sat on him a few times in work.

And he is expecting a big show back on Merseyside this weekend.

Llewellyn said: “The plan is for him to go to Aintree again and everything has gone smoothly with him since he came back in.

“He’s in very good form and he produced his best run of the season in the race last year.

“He obviously goes well fresh and he’s produced some good performances after running first time out as well.

“He is quite straightforward and an easy horse to get fit, so he should be at his best on Saturday.

“I’ve actually ridden him out and schooled him myself this year and he certainly doesn’t feel like an old horse who is past his best. He feels like he could be a few years younger.

“It’s a competitive race as it was last year, but he goes there with every chance.”

Twiston-Davies is also set to start his stable star Imperial Commander’s campaign on Merseyside next month.

The eight-year-old has been pencilled in for the Betfair Chase at Haydock on November 21 – the feature of the first day of the North West Masters weekend.

Imperial Commander was in superb form last season when winning both Paddy Power Gold Cup and the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham.

He failed to sparkle on his last run of the season in the Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup but assistant Llewellyn thinks he will mix it with the best this season, starting with Haydock’s three-mile Grade One contest.

Llewellyn said: “The plan is for him to go straight to Haydock for the Betfair Chase.

“He does all his prep work in Ireland but he came back a few weeks ago and he’s in good form at the moment, so we’re very happy with him.

“The ground was just too testing for him at Punchestown as he travelled very well but a stiff three miles on heavy ground is not for him.

“There is no reason why he shouldn’t still be improving and we’re looking forward to seeing how he gets on this season.”

It will be the fifth year that the North West Masters has been run with the £200,000 Grade One Betfair Chase the highlight of Haydock’s seven-race card on the first day with Aintree hosting two contests over the famous Grand National course on their six-race card on the second day in the £100,000 totesport.com Becher Chase and the £70,000 totesuper7 Grand Sefton Chase.

A joint ticket to the Tattersalls Enclosures of both courses costs just £25 and is only available for advance bookings, a saving of £14 against the on-the-day admission charges.

County Enclosure admission at Haydock combined with Aintree’s one enclosure on the Sunday is £35 in advance, saving £18 against the on-the-day admission charges.

Accompanied children under 16 are admitted free on both days.

At Aintree on the Sunday there will also be Christmas activities marking the start of a festive season with a visit from Santa and his real reindeer.

TODAY’S NAP: Dream Huntress (5.10pm Brighton).