Man On The Spot is on hand to guide you through Saturday's Pick 7 races and there's another £50,000 to be won.
1.50 Ascot
Poker School is 18lb higher than when winning this last year and the going is not in his favour. Casse Tete was progressive last season but hasn’t raced since March. Un Beau Roman is well treated nowadays but doesn’t stay much beyond 2m and was also behind subsequent Newbury runner-up Rock On Rocky at Cheltenham last month. Monbeg River put in a superb round of jumping when scoring at Doncaster but was allowed an easy lead and may not have that luxury here and is also on a career-high mark. Red Devil Star arrives in decent form and has won here in the past while Dream Bolt returned to form at Taunton but will do well to follow up off a 4lb higher mark. There are going concerns surrounding MR MEDIC but he has every chance on recent form having only weakened on the run-in last time at Newbury over a slightly longer trip. Pougne Bobbi could also figure with a run under his belt.
2.10 Haydock
LIMITED RESERVE was well backed over course and distance four weeks ago and duly obliged. He was raised 8lb for that but James Bowen claims 5lb so the top weight should win again. Zalvados has been placed in six of his eight hurdle starts but has yet to win but did score twice on heavy going on the Flat in France. Kk Lexion probably needs a bit further but should give a good account and makes more appeal than Wetherby specialist Blue Hussar and Bazooka, who will both carry more than their allotted weight.
2.25 Ascot
Sam Spinner relished the step up to 3m at Haydock when well ahead of Grade 1 winner The Worlds End. He’ll need to take another step forward to be competitive here but is only five and might get an uncontested lead so shouldn’t be ignored. UNOWHATIMEANHARRY bids for back-to-back victories in a race that has seen multiple winners in the past. The three-times Grade 1 winner had excuses for his defeat at Newbury and beat Lil Rockerfeller 12 months ago with a victory over 3m continuing to elude Neil King’s charge, though he got the better of L'Ami Serge over shorter here last time. The latter is one of two saddled by Nicky Henderson but Thomas Campbell could find this company too hot. Taquin Du Seuil is held by the selection on Newbury running and it’s even harder to fancy Agrapart and Ubak.
2.45 Haydock
Broadway Buffalo won this in 2014 but hasn’t raced since second in the Grand National Trial here in February of last year. THREE FACES WEST was returning from an absence when third at Cheltenham last month. He’s been dropped 3lb since and has a heavy-ground win here on his CV so should go well. Full Irish is unexposed over fences and won nicely at Lingfield last month, though this is a much better race. Lake View Lad also arrives off the back of a win at Newcastle but this trip stretches the stamina of Earthmoves. Catamaran Du Seuil looks in the handicapper’s grip but No Planning is on a very lenient mark nowadays, though has been out of sorts. Vic De Touzaine and Captain Redbeard also need to rediscover their best form.
3.00 Ascot
There is a question mark over a few of these regarding a step up in trip but On Tour is a strong traveller and was probably going best of all when unseating Mitch Bastyan in the race won by Gold Present at Newbury. Go Conquer is two from two this season and takes no prisoners but has gone up a further 9lb. O O Seven won over 3m over hurdles and was an eye-catcher on his reappearance while Singlefarmpayment would probably have been placed in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury had he not fallen three out. The five-year-old Frodon may prove the pick of the Nicholls pair as Ptit Zig just doesn’t convince over fences but the race should be run to suit YALA ENKI. He is a real staying type who is suited by soft ground and this is his time of year.
3.20 Haydock
Course and distance winner Chti Balko possibly found 2m3f a shade too far here last time. He’ll handle conditions and should go well back in the right grade. Sleepy Haven has also won over track and trip and wasn’t beaten far last time at Lingfield. Joke Dancer improved again to land a novice event here last time but may be too close in the weights to QUIDS IN. A winner at Uttoxeter back in February, he’s run well in all three starts this campaign and deserves a change of luck. Cap Du Nord was raised 9lb for winning a novices’ handicap at Sandown and is taking on better opposition here while The Gipper has a bit to prove at present.
3.35 Ascot
Veinard was behind Top Othe Ra at Down Royal last month but ran a better race at Fairyhouse when ahead of Bleu Et Rouge, and may be the pick of the Irish-trained runners. Caid Du Lin went close in a Listed handicap at Sandown two weeks ago but had finished behind Elgin here earlier. Air Horse One and subsequent winner Verdana Blue were fourth and fifth respectively in that race and meet the winner on better terms so have to go on the short-list. Divin Bere ran well in some hot juvenile races last season but is having his first run since April and has been given an opening mark of 148. CHARLI PARCS carries only 2lb less but looked as though he had got his career back on track when second to High Bridge at Newbury. Still held in high regard, he could go one better here though still needs to brush up his jumping. Silver Streak was impressive at Chepstow in October but has 8lb more to carry today.
