Trent Wells is free to ride Pentiffic in the AV Hiskens Steeplechase at Moonee Valley after having one jumps race shaved off a two-race careless riding suspension on appeal on Friday.The Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board allowed the appeal and varied the suspension which now expires after the running of Saturday's Bob Barr Smith Hurdle.Wells had been engaged to ride Pentiffic's stablemate Monty's Boy in the hurdle but will have to be replaced.Brett Scott, who had been standing by for the Pen

Trent Wells is free to ride Pentiffic in the AV Hiskens Steeplechase at Moonee Valley after having one jumps race shaved off a two-race careless riding suspension on appeal on Friday.

The Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board allowed the appeal and varied the suspension which now expires after the running of Saturday's Bob Barr Smith Hurdle.

Wells had been engaged to ride Pentiffic's stablemate Monty's Boy in the hurdle but will have to be replaced.

Brett Scott, who had been standing by for the Pentiffic mount, will ride the Eric Musgrove-trained Stop The Traffic in the Hiskens.

Wells, 23, has built up a good rapport with Pentiffic who will be having his first start over the bigger fences.

He won the Yalumba Classic Hurdle (3600m) aboard the rising six-year-old at Oakbank in April and last start when Pentiffic scored an impressive seven-length win in the Leslie Short Memorial Hurdle (3300m) at Sandown on July 11.

"Trent has done a lot of the work with the horse and they have a great affinity," said Fran Houlahan who trains the Pentire gelding with her partner Brian Johnston.

Houlahan is after her second Hiskens having won the race with Suede Boy in 1981, while for Wells it is a huge opportunity.

He moved from Tasmania two years ago and has ridden 19 winners, one short of outriding his allowance.

There is a lot at stake in the $200,000 Hiskens (4050m) as the winner is almost certain to be invited to run in Japan's $2.3 million Nakayama Grand Jump, the world's richest steeplechase, on April 18.

Reigning Australian Hurdle winner Hooker Road and 2007 Australian Hurdle victor Hasta Manana, like Pentiffic, are making their steeplechasing debuts and come up against the well performed and experienced pair Sir Pentire and Geeorb.

The Robbie Laing-trained Sir Pentire is out to emulate Brightello as the only horse to have completed the Grand Annual-Hiskens double in the same season.

Sir Pentire, a stablemate of Hasta Manana, is having his first jumps outing since winning the Grand Annual (5500m) at Warrnambool by 11 lengths on May 7 which was his first jumps start for nearly three years.

The Pentire rising 10-year-old hadn't raced over obstacles since looking the winner of the 2006 Hiskens only to fall at the second last fence.

Geeorb goes into the race with impeccable credentials having won five of seven steeplechase starts including last year's Crisp Steeple (4000m) at Flemington by nine lengths.

The Ciaron Maher-trained `chaser will be out to complete a hat-trick following wins in the St Steven Steeple (3200m) at Moonee Valley and the Macdonald Steeple (3900m) at Sandown at his two jumps outings this preparation.

Geeorb has eased from his opening quote of $2.90 with TAB Sportsbet but remains favourite at $3.30 ahead of Pentiffic, solid at $3.50, Hasta Manana ($7), Sir Pentire ($7.50) with Hooker Road at $8.