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1700: The answer at Haydock is indeed Bob And Co and that is me over and out. Back tomorrow for a Sunday shift and the small matter of Champ, Clan Des Obeaux et all at Newbury and Tiger Roll in the Boyle Hurdle. Until then have a pleasant evening.

1652: The finale from Haydock is a Hunters Chase where Bob And Co is a short-priced favourite for Paul Nicholls and Sean Bowen.

The Worlds End was a Grade One winner in his prime and finished third in a similar contest at Warwick at the start of the month. He's the obvious threat. This wasn't a race I spent a lot of time on last night.

I was much more interested in the Wincanton finale where there are all sorts of imponderables.

Nicky Martin has had a decent season to date and Fevertre looked a likely improver stepping into handicap company with Lorcan Williams a jockey booking that took my eye. There's been no support for him in the betting though which isn't encouraging.

Those Tiger Feet has obvious claims and has been backed with fellow last time out winner Neetside also popular at longer odds. There's been no cash for Megaudais Speed who debuts for Jonny Farrelly and looked a potential improver for a good stable; I wonder if the money will come nearer the off.

There has been support for Silver Nickel at prices from around 25/1 and he was another of interest to me as he ran two good races at Ascot in the autumn before twice disappointing. He's fitted with cheekpieces now and Seamus Mullins has his string in good form.

It may only be a 0-110 but there are plenty of angles and there's plenty of interest, to me at least.

1643: At the start for the last at Ascot, the Dingley's Promise British EBF Mares' Standard Open NH Flat Race.

Drash On Ruby was well backed ahead of her second start at Taunton but failed to justify the money - perhaps she can put that behind her here. Matt Griffiths told Sky Sports Racing earlier this week that she works well at home and she caught my eye, to some extent, on debut.

Jersey Lady has already been third in a Listed race so it's a shade surprising to see her relatively friendless in the market at 11/2.

As with most bumpers, there's not much happening through the first half of the race. Into the straight and Drash On Ruby and Whenthepennydrops lead into it. Miss Fairfax and Code Name Lise challenge and it's the latter who proves the stronger for Richard Johnson and Lucy Wadham.

That was a nice enough performance and held promise of more to come.

1636: They are running for The Harry Dufosee Memorial Cup at Wincanton and Fabulous Saga, one of two runners for Paul Nicholls has the early lead.

He's another of the Jared Sullivan owned intake from Willie Mullins' yard but he pulled up on debut for his new trainer in December so has a good deal to prove this afternoon. There's a lap to go. Fabulous Saga was outjumped by Golden Sovereign and Sizing At Midnight but was soon driven back into the lead; he's there on sufferance.

Golden Sovereign leads from Late Romantic at the cross-fence with Shantou Flyer third. The leader is trained by Philip Hobbs who has already enjoyed a double on the card. Shantou Flyer is being played late. Leader gets the better jump two out but Shantou Flyer has another crack, he can't close.

That's a treble for Micheal Nolan as well as Hobbs. Three cheers all round.

1620: Money for Alaphilippe. The horse that beat him at Taunton last time ran no race at Warwick on Monday but I think that performance was too bad to be true and shouldn't be held against Fergal O'Brien's runner; this is a stiff step up in grade.

Mr Harp ran on the same Warwick card as Mint Condition, finishing second in a Pertemps qualifier behind a stablemate of Alaphilippe in Imperial Alcazar who is towards the top of the ante-post Festival betting. A good run today wouldn't hurt.

Young Buck carries the Big Buck's colours and has travelled up from Somerset. He has to be feared given connections as well as his upwardly mobile profile but I'll stick with Exploiteur.

Beatthebullet and Young Buck lead over the second where Exploiteur unseats Kielan Woods - heh ho. The loose horse causing concern for Mint Condition as he moves through the pack to take over the running (the loose horse that is). They're on the final circuit, no more dramas but the race is beginning to develop as they leave the back straight, plenty of running still to do.

Mint Conditions loses his spot as Tupelo Mississippi and Alaphilippe close on the leaders. Young Buck made a bad mistake and unseated his rider when still going well in the lead. That was three out I think but it left Alaphilippe (10/3) clear and he wins by half a furlong. Mr Harp was second.

A Grade Two winner for O'Brien and jockey Paddy Brennan and they'll be delighted with that although racegoers were denied a potentially exciting finish with Young Buck's departure. I wouldn't be surprised if the winner took his chance at Cheltenham and he's picked up a fair bit of experience now (four runs over hurdles, five under Rules) which is never a bad thing for the Albert Bartlett.

1607: There was support for Flight Deck earlier in the day and he's the 3/1 favourite at Ascot.

He represents top connections and this wouldn't be the strongest race to be run at the Berkshire track. How about Fawsley Spirit as an each-way bet against him?

He might have been a shade unlucky when falling at the last here (against a stablemate of Flight Deck) but won next time and should continue to be quietly progressive.

This race will segue (more or less) into the Albert Bartlett Prestige Novices' Hurdle, a Grade Two that I haven't touched on so far. I don't have a strong view but it's a good race of its type. Mint Condition represents form from the same level at Warwick and the fourth, Midnight River, won the opener at Ascot today. That was over two five so he has further to travel but he shapes as though he'll cope with this distance.

Exploiteur may well have run better than the finishing position suggests at Doncaster, it was a long way home that day and he may have played his hand a little early in the straight. Kielan Woods is back on boards and he'd make some appeal at double figures. It's open and competitive and a good contest in prospect.

Closing stages at Ascot where six are going clear into the turn.

Fawsley Spirit is tackled by J'ai Froid. Flight Deck and Saint Dalina behind. The in-form J'ai Froid wins for Laura Morgan who is enjoying a splendid 2021. The winner was returned at 9/2 and completing a hat-trick.

1600: It's been a mixed day for Paul Nicholls but perhaps Take Your Time can put a smile on his face at Wincanton. I like the form of his latest run but the second, Oneupmanship, does re-oppose.

Take Your Time got a shake of the reins after being less than fluent at the last in the home straight but is still in second as they head out for the final time. Oneupmanship is prominent as Kansas City Chief leads. Adicci is wide on the track but front rank.

Take Your Time has run his race. First Lord du Cuet challenges. Adicci tries to challenge First Lord but the latter's jockey is looking around for dangers approaching two out. He has another look at the last before heading to the rail. There are no dangers. A 9/2 winner for Jack Tudor and David Pipe, only five finished.

1546: Pertemps Qualifier at Haydock where Everglow is a well supported 7/2 favourite but he makes little appeal at that price.

He's relatively inexperienced for a race like this and hasn't always hurdled fluently; he has lots of ability and the scope to progress but that's been more than factored into his price. Second favourite Farrants Way has clear claims and would be my preference. They're coming in.

Bushypark made a few headlines earlier this season and he leads with a couple of miles to run from course regular Clyne and Redford Road who is interesting on this return to hurdles. The first two in the market are in midfield. Everglow has crept closer but Farrants Way has dropped out and will soon be pulled up; they don't really look to have quickened yet.

Champagne Platinum travels well as he often does, he's in fifth about six or seven back. Three to jump. Bushypark (8/1) is still clear. One to jump. He's still seven clear and nothing ever looked like cutting into his advantage. Easy peasy.

Champagne Platinum and Everglow fill the places in a race where the top six qualify for the Final.

A good winner for Phil Kirby and Tommy Dowson. Bushypark was scoring from 120 having landed that gamble on his handicap debut from 83. No wonder he was backed as though he couldn't lose.

1537: Cyrname on the outside of Dashel Drasher at the first where Cyrname outjumps his rival and goes into a clear lead. Is that where he stays? It's all according to plan so far if you've backed him I suggest. He's excellent at the second and third. He's enjoying himself. Already 1/2 in-running?

Master Tommytucker looks happy enough in third, on the outside of Bennys King. They've jumped the first two on the far side and Dashel Drasher is back alongsides. Hmm.

Harry Cobden is pushing and shoving and Cyrname has gone out like a light, he's been pulled up. Extraordinary.

Two to jump and Master Tommytucker appears to be cruising on the outside of Dashel Drasher who is nothing if not game, he's kicked on again. He's seen off Master Tommytucker. A huge day for Matt Griffiths and Jeremy Scott.

It wasn't quite as easy as it looked as though it might have been but Scott did say his star idles in front and that's exactly what Dashel Drasher did, allowing Master Tommytucker another bite of the cherry before picking up again. He was just taunting him but he must make his fans and connections sweat!

A first graded race win for Griffiths and a first Grade One for Scott. Great stuff and only slightly overshadowed by the performance of Cyrname who looked so happy over the first few fences but went out in a matter of strides having been headed.

1527: Few would begrudge Goshen victory in the Champion Hurdle after his cruel departure from the Triumph 12 months ago. That was a very smooth victory and he was perfectly tractable, content to have a lead (or race alongside) Navajo Pass in the early stages before easing clear of his rivals.

Racing TV are reporting that the time was good, significantly quicker than the earlier novice hurdles over C&D, and that was good to see.

It's over to Cyrname. Are you on at 6/5? Good luck if so.

The performance of Hill Sixteen did nothing to boost the claims of stablemate Riders Onthe Storm who won this prize last year; he remains the 18/1 outsider but 'he looks particularly good in his coat' according to Sky Sports Racing.

There's a fascinating race in prospect and the early stages will again be of keen interest to see who makes the running. Presumably stablemate Cyrname and Master Tommytucker have drawn up a plan to avoid them taking each other on but will Dashel Drasher be privy to it?

There's some reaction to Goshen's victory. I think he was around 16s pre-race and Sky Bet are a standout 8/1 now (according to Oddschecker) but I don't suppose that will last as he's 4s, 5s and 6s elsewhere. The layers were impressed.

1509: There's not a lot of time between the 1514 at Haydock and 1518 at Wincanton but it's well worth making time for both contests.

One is a decent juvenile hurdle featuring Grade One runner-up Nassalam and Grade Two winner Monmiral while the other is the Kingwell. Will last season's Goshen please stand up?

Paul Nicholls has won three of the last five renewals of the Haydock race with Frodon, Quel Destin and Sir Psycho and like most in the yard, I imagine Monmiral's future lies over fences in a season or two. He doesn't have an entry for the JCB Triumph Hurdle.

Song For Someone is favourite for the Kingwell Hurdle and deservedly so after a fine season.

Nassalam has an uncontested lead. A nice spare for David Noonan with Jamie Moore at Wincanton and Josh at Ascot. The big two jump the fourth last together and turn into the straight. Monmiral goes on two out, this is shaping up to be a nice performance. He's a long way clear and is still in the 'could be anything' category.

Navajo Pass leads from Goshen at Wincanton. I'd expected Goshen to lead. Song For Someone is last of the six. Intriguing.

Goshen has hurdled well so far, they've jumped the last on the far side (three out). Goshen goes on, this is looking promising. Song For Someone staying on. Goshen is not for catching.

That's very impressive and it's great to see him back but I am perplexed that Song For Someone wasn't ridden more positively than that. He was prominent when winning last year and he gave a good horse a lot of rope this time. It may not have made any difference of course and connections may not have wanted to get embroiled in a race for the lead. He's beaten the rest well enough while Goshen is firmly back in the Champion Hurdle picture.

ITV have highlighted that Song For Someone couldn't go with them at the start so perhaps that explains it.

1502: Shannon Bridge sets off in front, tracked by Kid Commando and the greys, Kateson and Arrivederci.

Maybe it's the change in camera angle but the pace appears to pick up as they hurdle the fifth, racing downhill.

Horrid scenes at the back as L'Ami Serge has gone badly wrong. That's a cruel end to a fine career.

Pileon and Stolen Silver have cried enough. Kateson has folded as Shannon Bridge still leads. Skelton stole a couple of lengths on the turn but the field had closed approaching the last. Thibault hit the front on the run in but Shannon Bridge dug deep with the rail to help. The winner was returned at 12/1. That's a treble up for the Skeltons. The second was returned at 80/1, huge run; he used to be owned by Pileon's owner.

1453: They're mid-race at Wincanton but we're counting down to the Betfair Cheltenham Free Bet Pot Builder Handicap Hurdle at Ascot.

Still no word on Shannon Bridge as ITV show an interview with Harry Skelton post-Captain Chaos. They asked about Bennys King and Cadzand tomorrow but not a word on their runner in this race.

Support continues to come for Gladiateur Allen who faces a very different test than when winning a small field novice at the track last time. I'd rather side with the more proven claims of Arrivederci of those at the top of the market. Kepagge is taking a walk in the betting but was my initial fancy for the race while I'm a little surprised to see Good Man Pat priced up with the also-rans.

Another good tussle at Wincanton sees Dentley de Mee (4/1) win his first race over fences under an all-out drive from Jamie Moore; Nick Williams gets his across the cards double this time.

Pileon is one of the more interesting runners as he reverts to hurdles; the same owners Severano was sadly put down after the Reynoldstown according to Sky Sports Racing. Pileon has been very easy to back and it sometimes takes a run or two for horses to get their eye back in over hurdles once they've been chasing. Kateson seems very solid at 12s which is the same price as Shannon Bridge who was out at 20s this morning.

1435: That was splendid stuff at Ascot. Now it's the turn of the Grand National Trial at Haydock where Regal Encore's trainer, Anthony Honeyball, saddles Sojourn.

They're also loading for a low-grade Lingfield handicap in which three runners were backed down from double figure prices. It's always intriguing to see if a gamble is landed. Fifth was the best that the gambled on horses managed (Anniemation, came from a long way back) but victory went to Clashaniska (12/1).

Lining up at Haydock with over three and a half miles ahead of them. All safely over the first four. The old boy Perfect Candidate has been pulled up. Sojourn, Notachance and Achille are the last three as they pass the winning post for the second time - they've jumped thirteen.

Lord du Mesnil leads The Two Amigos and Potters Legend from Enqarde. They're over five from home. Enqarde moves into third and Sojourn fifth. Lord du Mesnil and The Two Amigos clear the first in the straight. Enqarde challenges on the inside. Achille and Ramses stay on. It's still Lord du Mesnil but he's challenged by Achille. Lord du Mesnil (8/1) wins!

His trainer, Richard Hobson, will be delighted with that and over the moon that his team correctly identified and treated the problem that had been ailing his stable star. It will be interesting to hear what his plans for the winner are as Value Bet put him up at 66/1 in a very early look at the Grand National.

1423: Jerrysback is quite short at Ascot at 9/4. It's easy enough to explain but doesn't appeal. Nor does JP McManus' other runner Musical Slave, he just hasn't jumped well enough over fences for all that he clearly has plenty of ability.

It's Hill Sixteen for me at 12/1; the same price as course specialist Regal Encore who would be a popular winner no doubt.

Captain Chaos has gone off lickety-split and Hill Sixteen has been tentative over the first three while Jerrysback has made a bad mistake. Musical Slave only has one behind him but the field are in a slightly better rhythm in general. Cobolobo now leads with Captain Chaos in second. Hill Sixteen is pulled up before the tenth. Circuit to run.

Newtide is dropping out the back and surely won't be racing for much longer. Terrific spectacle at the head of affairs with Cobolobo and Captain Chaos; they're still about six clear. Jerrysback and Yalltari are closing and so is Musical Slave. They've all got work to do to reach the front pair turning in where Captain Chaos goes four, five clear. He's slow at the second last. Regal Encore moves into second and has five to find after the last. Oooh. He just fails. I was willing him home.

Cracking race. A good day for the Skeltons.

1413: Total Commitment (10/3) won at Lingfield a little way ago while we're off to Wincanton again where Le Cameleon is favourite to provide Nick Williams with an across the courses double.

The favourite and Billinsgley are to the fore and tracked by a pair of greys which includes Flagrant Delitiep. The latter has progressed well since being sent chasing this season by Robert Walford and could well cope with a 10lb rise for his most recent success at Hereford.

In contrast, Brelan d'As has shown signs of being in decline but he went a small way to arresting that last time; he currently has one behind. Le Cameleon falls at the last on the far side. Aintree My Dream (11/1) and Flagrant Delitiep both go well at the second last with the former the first to come under pressure. The latter responds well and prevails by about a quarter of a length.

That's a third course winner for Milton Harris this season (no more than one at any other track). We've seen two nicely timed winning rides in the last two races but it always looks good when you come out on top.

1402: At the start for an unfathomable (to me) renewal of the Rendlesham. Emiton is favourite ahead of On The Blind Side, Itchy Feet and Third Wind but there could be co-favourites by flag fall.

Two circuits of Haydock Park ahead of them and Lisnagar Oscar is making the running with Donna's Diamond; they're about six lengths clear by the time they reach the first. Itchy Feet is in the second group (he's just got a reminder after the third) so connections will certainly find out about his stamina.

Emitom watches on from the rear with a circuit to go.

Over the fourth last and Lisnagar Oscar leads from On The Blind Side, Ballyoptic and Itchy Feet. Third Wind and Main Fact try to make ground as does Emitom. Third Wind goes well in fourth. Two to jump and it's still Lisnagar Oscar. Now Third Wind (9/2) challenges and he extends to a couple of lengths clear and holds on by about three parts of a length. Good contest.

Connections of the first and second will be pretty pleased I should think. That tees up Lisnagar Oscar perfectly for Cheltenham (he was coming back well at the line) while it's a nice prize for the winner.

1349: A good renewal of the Bateaux London Reynoldstown Novices' Chase is almost underway. The sun is shining at Ascot and the scene is set for this Grade Two with a rich history. I'm not sure any of these will be making the jump up in class but they should develop into very good handicappers.

Remastered leads. Hurricane Harvey made a mistake at the second and Full Back wasn't very good at the third, a ditch. Demachine is the next to make a mistake, at fence seven, briefly dropping to the rear. There's still a circuit to go and Hurricane Harvey has just had a reminder.

Kalooki has jumped well so far which hasn't been a hallmark of his nascent chase career. Severano has been pulled up. Full Back makes a serious mistake and still Remastered leads. Kalooki is far from fluent at the fourth last. Demachine is into second. Over the last and a cracking leap from Remastered (9/2) seals victory.

A fine performance from the winner but the race rather fell apart.

1339: Division two of the novices' hurdle at Wincanton and another odds-on favourite for Paul Nicholls - will this one oblige?

Hell Red brought a big reputation into the season and it's too soon to be writing him off. The flag is raised. Blumen Glory, who finished ahead of the winner of division one last time, leads from Hell Red and Pol Crocan. The field are quite well strung out as they head out into the back straight.

Joshua Moore is hopeful that Full Back will be up to the level of the Reynoldstown if he gets into a good rhythm; that's up in a few minutes.

In the home straight at Wincanton and it's still Blumen Glory and Hell Red who drops to third as Pol Crocan (17/2) comes through and goes on, a double for Philip Hobbs and Micheal Nolan.

Well, well, well. Things haven't gone according to plan for Paul Nicholls so far but there must be smiles back on everyone's faces at the Hobbs' yard after a tricky first half of the season.

1325: Lingfield and Haydock in fairly quick succession and there are some top yards represented in the novice stakes at the former course. Charlie Appleby's Silent Film is favourite after an encouraging debut behind a stablemate at Kempton.

There are some well bred runners as you'd expect and they include the penalised Invincible Swagger.

Marown is favourite at Haydock in a cracking novices' handicap chase; he ran a fine race at the track last time but faces some stiff opposition.

Away belatedly at Lingfield. Silent Film beats Invincible Swagger with a photo for third between Charger and Sergeant Tibbs who both showed clear promise.

All seven are standing at Haydock as they approach the seventh. Mistakes by Galahad Quest and Bold Plan and the latter is now struggling while Duc De Beauchene looks outpaced and is detached. Galahad Quest leads Marown over the second last. They jump the last together but Galahad Quest (12/1) proves the stronger with the runner-up hanging.

That's just a sixth winner of the season for Nick Williams and four of those have come since the turn of the year.

1317: Racing at Ascot where One True King leads over the first two.

Ex-flat horse The Olympian appears to have taken quite a hard hold in rear on his hurdles bow but settles soon enough. Midnight River and Gallyhill are in second and third jumping the fifth. Into the final mile with few changes to the order. Sam Twiston-Davies rides the leader into the third last and may be trying to stretch his rivals but they have covered every move.

The leader is down on his nose at the second last. Midnight River keeps on well to deny a promising Gallyhill. The winner was well backed at 5/4 and was conceding 3lbs to the runner-up. That was a decent performance but the second travelled very smoothly and looks very much a work in progress; a nice start to proceedings at Ascot.

1308: Pozo Emery has set out to make all. His immediate market rivals are racing in the second half of a field which is reasonably tightly grouped and easily make ground through the rags as they go through halfway. In the straight and the favourite is being asked for an effort.

Longshanks (10/1) takes the spoils from Pozo Emery and Blackjack Magic.

Earth Business went out rather tamely but Light N Strike very much caught the eye and will no doubt find himself in a few My Stable trackers as a result.

The pundits believe the shorter trip was behind the favourite's demise and, I'm paraphrasing, don't seem to believe that the run has dented his promise.

Gallyhill is out to even money at Ascot with Midnight River 15/8 and One True King, a beaten favourite in the Lanzarote, 7/2.

The favourite was notably green on his Rules debut at Newbury and, apparently, is still showing signs of his inexperience in the preliminaries.

Midnight River is the new favourite.

1255: Modest fare at Lingfield where The Warrior wins at 33/1, denying a late challenge by Headley George.

I wonder if the runner-up was named after the gentleman below?

The first from Riyadh is almost upon us if that's your thing but I'll switch channels and focus on Wincanton where it looks a pretty cold and blustery day.

Few to seriously consider but the top three in the betting all bring significant potential to the table. There's a little money for second favourite Earth Business. He made an encouraging start to his career in a course bumper in November but there's a fair bit to be taken on trust on this relatively belated return to action and he cedes experience to a talented rival in Pozo Emery; I'm in no rush to take on the jolly.

Jonathan Neesom (on Racing TV) has 'very much' got his eyes on Longshanks and the runner-up from his last run goes in the second at Wincanton.

1243: Harry Skelton on Sky Sports Racing: "We're looking forward to running him (Bennys King), he's in great form. He likes it round here but he's got to step up on what he's done. He gave Dashel Drasher a few pounds the last day and got beat half-a-length but he's completely consistent and rock solid.

"Midnight River has got a chance on his last run; he'll run his race."

They didn't have time to touch on too many of the Skelton runners in a brief interview, focusing mainly on Bennys King. They also run Captain Chaos in the staying handicap chase, he retains the blinkers that helped him produce a better showing at Warwick. His only prior run at Ascot was back in 2016 when he was fourth of four behind Politologue in a Grade Two novice with Rock The Kasbah and Royal Vacation separating them - all four have enjoyed decent careers.

That was a random bit of reverie - I'm easily distracted.

There was no time for a word on Shannon Bridge either. He responded well to being fitted with blinkers when reverting to hurdles at Wetherby; I quite like that form and he's not too badly handicapped from a 5lb higher mark.

1222: Richard Kingscote: "He's been progressing really well and Ian's doing a great job with him. Growing a lot, very laid back and going the right way. Probably not ideal being in front on his own. For a big horse he's balancing out well and he's done nothing but progress the last year and a half and hopefully there's still a little bit more in there.

"I've got some chances on the rest of the card, Dashing Dick later on, a bit of a blip last time, but on his other form every chance."

Below is Bravemansgame who the Nicholls camp are hopeful can go one better than Denman next month but there's a lot of water to pass under the bridge before we get there. Pozo Emery is odds-on to get their day off to a winning start at Wincanton and it's easy to see why with a nicely progressive profile and his form working out nicely; the fourth from the last day ran a good second on his handicap debut at Sandown this week.

A little surprisingly, Hell Red is a longer price to win the second race. He did flop at Cheltenham but Nicholls had the Grade One Finale Hurdle at Chepstow as the plan prior to that and fresh from a break and a wind operation, it will be disappointing if he can't bounce back. I did toy with the 16/1 NRNB for the Fred Winter but I haven't pressed 'back' yet.....

Friend Or Foe was a leading ante-post contender for that Cheltenham contest but didn't take part. He's returned from injury this season and has progressed well. I don't expect him to win the Kingwell but I wonder if he might take his chance in the County Hurdle? Guard Your Dreams who beat him at Sandown is due to run in the Betfair Hurdle tomorrow. Form lines, form lines....

1210: The jockeys are in the saddle for a good race at Lingfield, a valuable 12 furlong handicap.

Cardano won a similar race last month and has clear claims from a 4lb higher mark, despite which he meets Myseven on better terms than when beaten a head at Newcastle.

Martin Harley said of Midnights Legacy: "He ran a very solid race. Had a great spin around here the other day. I do think he'll come on for that run. (Brass Clankers 1250) Solid chance as well."

Myseven the last to load.

It's another victory for Cardano who produced a really game performance under Richard Kingscote to beat Myseven and Midnights Legacy.

1154: Cyrname is odds against for the Ascot Chase which seems fairly extraordinary given his relatively recent billing as the highest rated horse in training. He still has an official rating of 172 which is 13lbs clear of stablemate Master Tommytucker, the next highest rated in the race.

He did run badly in the King George but he won well at Wetherby prior to that so it's not as if you have to go back a long way to find some decent form and we know that this track and trip suit ideally. The price is quite hard to explain.

I suppose there's a certain willingness to take him on and he seems certain to be taken on in the race with Master Tommytucker and Dashel Drasher both usually keen to get on with things. The price could look huge at around a quarter to four but equally, there could be as many people saying I told you so. It's only Riders Onthe Storm that I'd want to back against him and that's largely down to his price of around 20/1.

We're still over an hour away from the first at Ascot where Gallyhill is odds-on and bids to repay another few quid of his £450k purchase price. He's still entered in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle next month but Nicky Henderson mentioned the EBF Final at Sandown in his Newbury post-race quotes.

1144: I was getting distracted by Craig Charles' Trunk of Funk but I've switched channels to Sky Sports Racing in time for Lingfield where there's little to choose at the top of the market between Damned Elusive and Red Right Sand. There's money near the off for Maxine whose jockey carries some familiar colours on this step up in trip (five of the six runners are tackling a new distance).

Jason Weaver is keen on Damned Elusive but Beijing Billy was his paddock pick.

Damned Elusive shows a nice turn of foot in the straight to sweep past Silver Shade but she unseated the jockey past the line in an incident off-camera. Callum Hutchinson is looking a little bit sore but Jason Weaver is currently singing his praises, an apprentice to make a note of.

1132: I haven't the first idea what might win the Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock. It's a good race but it's not often you find an eight-runner Grade Two where they're betting 4/1 the field. I've little to offer except ambivalence and a shrug of the shoulders (so it's just as well the Punting Pointers team have a view).

I'm not even convinced that it will help show whether last year's Stayers Hurdle winner Lisnagar Oscar has any chance of defending his crown next month as there may not be the requisite pace to play to his strengths. He's having his first run since a wind operation and so, too, is last year's winner Emitom.

The Grand National Trial, on the other hand, is far more tempting.

Lord du Mesnil is only a couple of pounds higher than when second last year and appeals at 8/1. It hasn't gone to plan this season but Richard Hobson believes they have found the problem, saying earlier this week: "We’re happy with him now. He has a deficiency, and it took a while to work out exactly what it is. What we’ve been treating him with is magnesium, basically, and potassium. He’s been low on them. It’s a strange one really. All the other horses in the yard aren’t – so why he suddenly is (and) we’ve had to boost his magnesium and potassium up, I don’t know. But that’s the reason, and we hope we’ve got to the bottom of it – and he’ll put up a big display."

I'm hopeful they've found the key.

The Two Amigos is also 2lbs higher than last year when beaten 33 lengths into fourth. He's a similar price to Lord du Mesnil and comes into the race on the back of a fine run in the Welsh National, improving on the previous season's fifth at Chepstow; he also appeals at the odds.

1114: We're not too far away from the first action from Lingfield Park where, according to the Oddschecker market movers page, Red Right Sand has proved popular (7/2 > 2s) for the in-form Karl Burke (four winners in the last fortnight).

I think it's fair to say that he's been a work in progress, making his debut in a maiden won by the decent Rhythm Master before contesting the Convivial Maiden at York. He ran well enough in both races but three runs later, is still a maiden. His mark has declined by 7lbs from the initial assessment though and he's trying a new trip this morning. Perhaps today's the day.

The markets at Lingfield seem to have been fairly lively with Cardano, Mercurist and Dashing Dick others to have shortened up while Anniemation (1436) is a general 8/1 from a high of 25s as he drops in grade on his fourth run for a new yard. I'd have sworn he was going to be a filly with that name too, I had a double take.

He's not the only punt in that race with the new headgear sporting Dors Toyboy (8/1 < 14s) and Deadly Accurate (16s > 8s) another expected to improve on his initial efforts for a relatively new stable.

That's some race.

1103: The horse pictured below features among the market movers for both Sky Bet and Paddy Power.

I was rather disappointed with his run at Newbury and wasn't overly inclined to side with him at a relatively short price. I was more interested in the claims of Full Back with Gary Moore seemingly content to risk his handicap mark (7lbs worse off with Severano for example) in pursuit of this Grade Two prize.

It feels like a relatively un-Moore like thing to do (though I have no evidence to back that up) and there's plenty to like about the form of all three of his chase starts.

It's a bitter memory but Ar Mad (representing the same owner) was pitched into Grade One company (rated 130) on his third chase start and duly trounced Bristol de Mai in the King Henry VIII Novices' Chase back in 2015. Perhaps we could have more of the same.....

Anyway, I digress. You know the drill. For details of all of the movers, the Money Back offer and extra place races click on the image above.

1052: Albert's Back is a non-runner from the Betfair Cheltenham Free Bet Pot Builder Handicap Hurdle which takes the field down to 15 so keep an eye out on those each-way terms.

I do like these Ascot handicap hurdles and I'm encouraged to see that there's been some support for Keppage following a reasonably encouraging run over three miles at Warwick where he seemingly didn't last home. Hopefully, he can kickstart his season with a positive ride over this shorter trip.

The current market would suggest that it's not quite as competitive as numbers indicate and, although it may be dangerous to take that too literally, this looks an eminently winnable race.

David Pipe sent out Unique de Cotte to win this prize in 2015 and both he and Keppage contested handicap hurdles at Cheltenham in November before finishing in midfield in Pertemps Qualifiers. Their roads to Ascot are not dissimilar and I'll clutch any straw.

1038: I had thought that it could be a good day for Nigel Twiston-Davies (although I was roundly jeered when suggesting this to a friend) as it doesn't seem impossible that Hill Sixteen could bounce back in the "My Oddsboost" On Betfair Swinley Chase.

He hosed up on debut for the yard at Ffos Las before winning over hurdles at Newbury only to be pulled up as the 11/4 favourite in the Tommy Whittle. He obviously has it to prove from his revised mark on the back of that but that run on the 19th December came on the back of runs on the 27th and 18th November - that's a reasonable break but not a huge one following on from two quick outings and perhaps it was one run too many coming, as it did, on testing ground. He also lines up in a new tongue tie suggesting that there may have been a breathing problem to boot and, not unlike his stablemate, I thought he was a fair price in an open race.

Of course, it remains more likely that both will finish out with the washing but.....there are still five other runners for the yard across the afternoon, one of whom has been selected by Simon Holt.

1030: Flitting randomly about like a nectar-drunk butterfly in the height of summer and I'm keen to see what the market makes of Riders Onthe Storm in the Betfair Ascot Chase. The layers could not give him away at Kempton. I know he was awful at Cheltenham but I was prepared to forgive him one bad run and thought he could go well at Sunbury; the market portent, though, proved accurate.

It's harder to forgive two abysmal runs but he won this Grade One on merit 12 months ago (one of two C&D wins from as many attempts) and looked to be a young horse going places. Is 20/1 a chance worth taking? It's a good, competitive field but one in which holes can be picked. Some positive vibes anear the off-time would make him a much more tempting proposition.

1020: There's another big Saturday meeting at Haydock Park too where the Juvenile Hurdle is one of the more interesting heats, featuring as it does a couple of possible JCB Triumph Hurdle contenders. Paul Nicholls trains current favourite Monmiral and it's set to be an informative couple of days for the Ditcheat youngsters with Hell Red in action at Wincanton and Good Ball declared for Newbury tomorrow.

Will it be the Triumph or the Fred Winter?*

*Other Spring Festivals and races do exist.

Sean Bowen rides Monmiral as he did at Doncaster and he was also on board Bold Plan when he won at Exeter for Evan Williams and Mr & Mrs Rucker which all goes some way, I suppose, to explaining why Adam Wedge is on unfancied outsider Esprit du Large in the Kingwell. Wedge has a mixed bag of rides but support for Light N Strike on debut for Emma Lavelle - who provided him with one of his three winners at Fakenham yesterday - would be of interest.

Later on the card I was hoping that Fevertre would provide me with a welcome tonic in the 1708 but there's no market encouragement as yet in a race where the Punting Pointers team have a selection.

1014: Good morning everyone, how you doin'?

It's all a little different to this time last week thankfully and we've got an excellent two days of racing ahead of us.

The last two winners of the Betfair Ascot Chase line up with something to prove but one is around even money while the other is a 20/1 shot.

The Betfair Kingwell Hurdle could see Champion Hurdle claims enhanced or ended and promises to be interesting tactically with Navajo Pass, Song For Someone and, of course, Goshen all having made the running at one point or another.

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