TWO Welsh National winners and one from the Midlands Grand National could grace the major horse race of the winter at Haydock Park Racecourse.

Saturday's £125,000 Red Square Vodka Gold Cup is a massive prize in its own right. It is also a big pointer to the Grand National at Aintree in April.

Two-dozen horses still stood their ground on Monday, with Simon - owned by the widow of legendary jump racing trainer Fred Rimell - poised to shoulder top weight.

Many eyes will be on Miko de Beauchene, the winner of this season's Welsh National whose victory at Chepstow less than two months ago left many in tears as the horse's trainer Robert Alner is so seriously ill in hospital after a car accident.

The Dorset training yard is in superb form, and will be bidding to follow up last weekend's fantastic win in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup in Ireland with The Listener.

Blackpool Tower owner Trevor Hemmings loves nothing better than to have winners at his favourite racecourse. Idle Talk - trained in Cheshire by Donald McCain jnr - is his likely representative.

Lancashire cricketer Andrew Flintoff could have a say in proceedings too. His horse - the appropriately named Flintoff, which he owns in partnership with North West businessman Paul Beck - is entered for the three and a half mile race.

The 2006 Red Square Vodka Gold Cup winner Ossmoses is another entry, as is 2005 Welsh National winner L'Aventure and Midlands Grand National hero from that year, Philson Run.

Saturday's racing action is high class all the way. After losing its January meeting to the weather, it's also the first racing of 2008 at Haydock Park.

The three-mile £40,000 RealHolidayReports.com Rendlesham Hurdle has attracted Black Jack Ketchum, while Millenium Royal - trained in France - could return to the scene of his triumph three months ago in the £100,000 Betfair "Fixed Brush" Handicap Hurdle, the richest race ever run over Haydock Park's famous hurdles.

It's a big day at the racecourse for amateur riders too. The Sporting Index Walrus Hunters' Chase is one of the most valuable races of its kind in the calendar. And an intriguing entry for what is the final race of the afternoon, which is run over three miles, is that of former Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Take The Stand.

Dickon White, Haydock Park's managing director, said: "A scintillating day's racing is in prospect. This is an occasion when jump racing fans come out in big numbers - with the history of the meeting going all the way back to the 1970s when the great Red Rum was a regular at Haydock Park.

"The connections with the Grand National are strong, and Haydock Park's major winter date always starts the countdown to Aintree in earnest."

An added incentive to come along to Haydock Park on Saturday is an admission price reduction in all enclosures. The Newton Enclosure is £7 (down from £8 last year); Tattersalls £14 (down from £16); the County Enclosure £23 (down from £27); and the Premier Enclosure £34 (down from £41).

Accompanied children under 16 enter free. Senior citizens and students, with appropriate identification, enter Tattersalls and the Newton Enclosure at half price.

The first time is scheduled for 12.35pm, with the last race at 4pm.