Catching Pigeons gossip and tips ahead of weekend's racing action

Third Wind - 2.25 Haydock

Third Wind can see off the challenge of Imperial Alcazar and Who Dares Wins in a very open Betfair Exchange Stayers Handicap Hurdle at Haydock on Saturday. Hughie Morrison likes to have a few jumpers to accompany his team of all weather performers, and few have been better than Third Wind, the winner of the 2019 EBF Final at Sandown. Although he has seen action just four times since that win, he has confirmed he is a high class stayer with a success at Wincanton, and an excellent effort behind three well handicapped Irish-trained raiders in the Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival in March. His warm up race for this valuable event at Newbury earlier in the month, produced a cracking effort to finish fourth under a big weight, and he will be both sharper for the outing and appreciate the easier ground.

Clan Des Obeaux - 3.00 Haydock

Clan Des Obeaux can show his appreciation for a summer breathing operation in the Grade 1 Betfair Chase. This race may not be quite up to the standard of some past runnings, but it is still a fascinating race with Lostintranslation and course specialist Bristol De Mai in opposition. Clan Des Obeaux may have next month's King George VI Chase as his prime objective, but Paul Nicholls has him very fit for his return to action, and the Ditcheat team believe they head North with a very good chance.

Shakem Up'Arry - 1.50 Haydock

Shakem Up'Arry can take advantage of what looks a reasonable mark in the Betfair Racing Only Bettor Handicap Hurdle at Haydock. Ben Pauling had hoped to put one in the back of the net for owner Harry Redknapp with this very highly regarded son of Flemensfirth last season, but he came up against two of Nicky Henderson's best young horses in Shiskin and Mister Coffey on two separate visits to Newbury. He was therefore not winning out of turn when he hosed up in a little race at Ffos Las on his return to action, and hopes are high he will now be ready for this step up to handicap company.

Severance - 12.10 Haydock

Severance, a useful performer on the flat and also trained by Pauling, produced a high quality performance to beat the strongly fancied Bass Rock with plenty in hand on hurdling bow at Carlisle 12 days ago, and should give Flic Ou Voyou plenty to think about in the Betfair Weighed In Podcast Novices Hurdle. This step up to Listed company looks well deserved on the strength of the fact that he took a fair hold around a testing course and still won, and hopefully, that initial exuberance on what was his first outing since July, is not such a factor this time around.

Abbey Magic - 3.17 Ascot

Henry de Bromhead is always a trainer to note when he heads across the Irish Sea, and he can strike again with the well regarded Abbey Magic in the Coral Hurst Park Handicap Chase. Lightly raced and beaten only once in five outings over fences, she has improved steadily since returning from a season off with injury, and despite her rise to 140, gets in here at the right end of the weights.

Secret Reprieve - 12.40 Haydock

Secret Reprieve merits close consideration in the Betfair Supports Safer Gambling Week Handicap Chase. Evan Williams has his team in great nick and looks to have a potentially useful prospect in this six year old son of Flemensfirth. Restricted to just three outings last term, his best performance came behind New Tide at Ffos Las, and now enjoys a healthy weight advantage with Kim Bailey's giant gelding, who should also run a big race on his way to a possible tilt at the Welsh National. Another plus for the selection is the fact that Williams has booked Robbie Power for the ride.

Hold That Taught - 12.55 Ascot

It may pay to take a chance with Hold That Taught in the Play The Coral Novices' Limited Handicap Chase. Lightly raced over hurdles after a win at Lingfield, he went close to doubling his tally at the same course when beaten only half a length by subsequent winner Gleno on his return to action last month. Sure to come on plenty for the run, he gets plenty of weight from the well fancied old rivals Young Bull and Demachine, and looks worth an each-way investment.

Call Me Lord - 2.40 Ascot

Nicky Henderson's Call Me Lord, beaten only half a length in this race 12 months ago, has Laurina to beat in the Grade 2 Coral Hurdle, but will be fitter for his respectable comeback effort behind Summerville Boy at Aintree a couple of weeks back, and may be a more reliable proposition than his principal opponent. Meanwhile Wraysford, a full brother to another Seven Barrows stalwart Call The Cops, will be attempting to emulate his highly talented sibling by making a winning debut in the closing Coral Supporting Prostrate Cancer Bumper.

Caribbean Sunset - 1.45 Lingfield

On the flat at Lingfield, Caribbean Sunset should go well on his debut in the Ladbrokes Watch Racing Novice Stakes. A half brother to the smart Rumble Inthejungle and Great Prospector by Twilight Son, he is arriving late for his juvenile debut, but has been working very well in his prelims and is expected to go close.