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13:45 Haydock
It’s hard to see past Top Notch in this class 2 juvenile hurdle. The horse is unbeaten and rated a comfortable 18lbs ahead of the next best horse in the race on the official ratings. Quite frankly this should be a steering job but we’ve been here before. Of the others there are some good horses in here but whether they can get past Top Notch is a tough ask. Medicine Hat and Scrafton are fairly unexposed types and could be relative dangers and Istimraar is very consistent.
Top Notch (WIN)
14:05 Ascot
Another incredibly tough task to pick a winner here given the strength of the field and how close they are all rated in the official ratings. Virak sets the standard here with the form but the one i have plumped for that could just give him a big run for his money is Ainsi Fiedeles. Whilst Paul Nicholls has been gobbling up the big prizes on a Saturday most of the season I just feel his good run could come a little unstuck here. Although the selection was beaten last time, it was at Cheltenham and it was only to an improving type. It could be a close battle but I will stick with the selection could get her head in front. Of the remaining two Deputy Dan has been beaten already this season by Virak and Phone Home is an outsider who you would expect to be following these home
Ainsi Fiedeles (WIN)
14:20 Haydock
At Fishers Cross comes here as the class horse in this race and the market will surely show that with the betting and he could be as short as 6/5 when the race begins. Yet the form is not there at this stage of his career and that price is mighty short about a horse that hasn’t won a race since April 2013. The ground could also be a concern and if there is overnight rain I may fancy laying the horse. The advantages he has are that McCoy resumes the partnership and the way he is riding at the moment it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see him gotten home by the champ. The selection comes in the form of Land of Vic who i tipped up on my first ever selections at Cheltenham back in December and could well be the value in the race here. He is now 11lb under his last winning mark and I fancy him to give the favourite plenty to think about
Land of Vic (E/W)
14:40 Ascot
The punters number nightmare contest this race with 7 runners lined up from the off. There are a number of contenders in this Listed Handicap chase and the one I like most is Clondaw Knight. The jockey booking is very interesting as Lucinda Russell saddles up the horse for Tom Scudamore. Peter Buchanan has been taking the ride recently and whilst he is an able partner Scudamore may just be able to galvanise the horse in this hotter race. Carole’s Destrier may well be the fancied runner in the market and could go off as favourite but he showed himself to be a bit keen on the last day at Cheltenham. Capa Bleu could be well handicapped for this race too but with only two places paying out the 10/1 is a good price but it may be just beyond Evan Williams’ runner.
Clondaw Knight (E/W)
14:55 Haydock
Monbeg Dude is a horse that relishes testing ground and a real test of stamina too. This Grand National Trial looks like the perfect race for a horse that is a Welsh National winner under one of the best timed rides you will ever see from Paul Carberry. He is a dour stayer and his two lb easing in the weights will also be an advantage. There have been a veritable who’s who of top jockeys that have ridden him and this time it’s the turn of The Champ AP McCoy to get on board. Rigadin de Beauchene could be a danger back after a break and was the victor in this race last year so he has the form. Gas Line Boy, who is owned by Mick Fitzgerald (who last said something verging on the interesting in 1997) could also be a player here for the powerful Johnson and Hobbs combination. BenBens may follow them home.
Monbeg Dude (E/W)
15:15 Ascot
Trying to work out who the market leader will be here is possibly the trickiest puzzle of the day as most of these come here in good form. Padge and Unique de Cotte will no doubt head the market here and will be big dangers to the selection – Minella Present. Ruby Walsh takes the ride and was over at Sandown yesterday for one ride, which he won very cosily on Uranna. The horse has only run one poor race, although that was last time out and an improvement would have to be made here. The galvanising effect of the best jockey in the world over jumps could be just what he needs to get back on track and is at current an excellent each way price
Minella Present (E/W)
15:35 Wincanton
Irving, Sign of A Victory and Blue Heron should battle this out and really Irving should be winning this if connections have any loftier ambitions for the horse. His run in the Supreme Novice last year was adequate enough and he should have too much for these. Sign of a Victory found a grade 1 above his station but had run well in a handicap some time before that so there is ability there but he would possibly need some rain, although 5 wins out of 9 is very impressive. Blue Heron makes up the trio of likely contenders and although he beat the two market principles it is worth questioning their performances on the day.
Irving (WIN)
15:50 Ascot
Our last TV tip of the day comes from Ascot in Betfair Chase, a Grade 1 which only has 6 runners – a disappointment given the prize money and prestige. Anyhow the one i fancy to cause somewhat of an upset is BallyCasey for the all conquering Mullins/Walsh combination. The horse is priced up at a decent 4/1 and although there are only 6 runners i think that could work in the selection’s favour. There have been a couple of dubious runs from the horse but i feel that he can get the better of the likely to be more fancied pair of Balder Success and Ptit Zig
Ballycasey (E/W)