TV TIPS (SATURDAY)

13.50 Ascot

This year’s Grade 2 Reynoldstown is a very intriguing contest and I will start with the two Scottish contenders. Lucinda Russell has really got a good bunch of horse’s coming through and one of those is Corach Rambler a typical type for the yard that was always going to improve for a fence. He went to Aintree and Cheltenham and put in two great performances over 3 miles. Last time he ran in the Classic at Warwick where perhaps his stamina was just tested, he should be very competitive back at 3 miles today. Doyen Breed ran well behind Threeunderthrufive and has performed at good level but he may have to settle for a supporting role today.

The highest rated of the field is Does He Know he finished fifth in last year’s Ballymore, he has continued that level now over fences. Coming up against Doyen Breed’s conqueror Threeunderthrufive on two of his chase starts and with the score one apiece. He will certainly be involved in the finish granted a clear round and running to form.

CORACH RAMBLER (WIN)

written by Michael Taylor

14:05 Haydock Top Ville Ben got the better of Emitom last time out at Lingfield on similarly slow ground. However the form of that particular race is a bit dubious due to the no show of On The Blind Side that day and it appears that the former is headed towards the Grand National in April so they are both passed over today despite being former winners here at Haydock. Last years winner, Third Wind, looks set to give it another good go although he will need to improve from his two outings this season, one of which where he was well beaten by my race selection. That selection would be the ultra consistent Thomas Darby, who never seems to run a bad race. The fairly lightly raced 9yo has beaten former Stayers Hurdle winners, Paisley Park and Lisnagar Oscar towards the end of last year and any repeat of that form should see him win with plenty in hand here. He has won on heavy ground and looks the well deserved favourite to take this contest and head towards Cheltenham next month. THOMAS DARBY (WIN)

written by Tom Bates

14:25 Ascot

Despite having top weight, Fiddlerontheroof arrives here with outstanding claims on the back of his fine second in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury and a repeat of that really ought to prove more than enough against these. Fairly consistent in general, his best Novice form would entitle him to go off favourite today and trainer Colin Tizzard has been amongst the winners lately.

Caribean Boy got back to winning ways at Kempton last time and showed a very good attitude in doing so, the form of that victory looks fairly solid but this demands much more and he fell on his only previous start here.

Ask Me Early has two entries on the day and is a preferred runner at Wincanton, he would need to find plenty of improvement to land this if running but he has an appealing enough profile and races off what is a feather-weight.

Larry landed a similar contest over this course and distance back in October and did so in impressive fashion. Twice beaten since, there is every chance he will appreciate the return to this trip and Gary Moore has his horses firing at present.

Regal Encore has won this before and absolutely loves it around here, his mark may well tempt the each way players in though he has shown very little in his last couple of starts and is taken on with something of a heavy heart given he is now fourteen years of age.

Fortescue lost very little in defeat when third in the Peter Marsh last time, he would have claims if backing that up here although that did look a very hard race and there will be easier chances later on. Hold That Taught in another worth considering for an in-form yard but Fiddlerontheroof really needs to be landing this if he is take up his engagement in the Cheltenham Gold Cup next month and he is taken to do just that.

FIDDLERONTHEROOF (WIN)

written by Chris Connolly

14:40 Haydock

Attritional conditions await the eleven runners in this National trial over three and a half miles.

It does however look to be a competitive affair.

Bristol De Mai as we know is a standing dish around here, and has his ground. It’s impossible to rule him out, but there are some concerns notably the weight he is conceding. He is the class act though.

Secret Reprieve a former Welsh National winner attempted to follow up his Chepstow glory with back to back National victories on seasonal debut. He ran a fine race up to a point until the lack of a prep potentially took its toll. The Grand National would be his main target this season, but he has a lot in his favour here with a nice racing weight and a handicap mark still with room for manoeuvre, he must go close.

Despite his advancing years Blaklion looks decent value each way. You can pick holes in some of his form, but the way he won around here on his latest start without breaking sweat was a heartwarming sight. On that day he trounced The Two Amigos without coming off the bridle, and it’s interesting that the likely favourite Secret Reprieves form ties in with The Two Amigos.

The handicapper has hit Blaklion with a nine pound rise which seems harsh for a thirteen year old, but the ease of that victory left him with no choice.

His ability to handle todays conditions makes him the value.

BLAKLION (E/W)

written by Matt Polley

15:00 Ascot

Good Risk At All is the short priced favourite after a trio of races in which he’s claimed the runners-up spot on all three occasions. The form of those second placed efforts look solid with finishes behind the progressive Barichello, the ill fated Hardkore and potential superstar Jonbon. That form means he deserves respect and is probably a worthy favourite but at a best price of 15/8 it looks way too short about a horse who’s without a win over obstacles. It’s hard to feel that he isn’t a potential proverbial bridesmaid and you have to question his willingness to get his head in front. Surely with thirteen runners set to go to post an each-way alternative looks the best option for punters.

The interesting horse in the lineup is the recent French recruit Piccadilly Lilly who’s set to make her UK course debut for her new trainer Alan King. It’s tricky to gauge just how much she’s achieved in just three career starts to date but based on her runs we know she’ll at least handle today’s race conditions, especially the ground. That being said with so many question marks still hanging over her head it’d take a brave punter to part with any sizable chunk of their wallet to place on the five year old mare.

From one horse who’s making their stable debut to another and Christopher Wood has switched yards from Paul Nicholls to the in-form Venetia Williams. Venetia is having one of her best seasons to date and if that magic can rub off on her new recruit he could certainly outrun his current 20/1 price. A second behind Champion Hurdle contender Tommy’s Oscar reads as some of the best recent form on offer and with six of his seven career victories coming on softer ground he also has going that’ll suit. He’s rated below his last winning mark and at his best has gone well in graded company. A horse that seems to have been around for a while but at the age of seven still has plenty left and looks drastically underestimated at such generous odds. The likes of last time out winners Zacony Rebel, Cap Du Mathan and Ballybegg shouldn’t be far away and look likely to finish in the mix but it’s the Venetia Williams outsider that gets my vote.

CHRISTOPHER WOOD (E/W)

written by Rory Paddock

15:20 Wincanton

Faivoir has been novice chasing this year and reverts back to the smaller obstacles for today. He’s won at Grade Two class before but this is a harder race. He has a nice record on this ground but the ground could change, given the current weather situation! He has a tough ask ahead of him but the addition of cheekpieces and reversion to hurdles are a bonus.

Adagio was a top contender in the juvenile hurdle scene last year and has only ran once this year, finishing second by a length when conceding nearly a stone. He’s got decent form on the soft ground and is a classy horse. He will be the main danger to Goshen, especially as he’s in receipt of 3 lbs.

Goshen won this race in a canter last year and looked the force from his juvenile days when he got his head down and won at Sandown, two weeks ago. He has to concede weight to Adagio but that shouldn’t particularly bother him. The right-handed track is a major bonus, as he shouldn’t be as temperamental. I’d be disappointed if he didn’t win this race.

GOSHEN (WIN)

written by Kieran McHugh

15:38 Ascot

This looks like an incredibly open Betfair Chase with 2 points in the betting covering five of the ten runners. Dashel Drasher is defending his crown but last year's race fell apart somewhat when Cyrname pulled up quickly and he looks held by the reopposing Lostintranslation on their course and distance form in November. The former's runs have been very in and out in recent years but did look back to near his best when winning here in November and can be forgiven his poor King George run where the ground was too soft for him.

Venetia Williams is in red hot form of late, operating at a 30% strike rate and Fanion D'estruval(4/1) must be taken seriously on the back of a fine run behind Phoenix Way over course and distance last month. He comes out second-best on ratings and should be in the mix. Mister Fisher(9/2) got his act together at Kempton most recently with the form of that run getting a boost last weekend. That being said he’s not one to put the utmost faith in.

Joseph O’Brien sends Fakir D'oudairies(11/4) across the Irish Sea who was a Grade 1 winner at Aintree at the end of last season. He chased home Allaho on his most recent outings and actually did very well to recover from a first fence mistake at Thurles. He’s the most consistent horse in the field, with the highest rating and should be difficult to beat.

FAKIR D’OUDAIRIES (WIN)

written by Peter Keogh