Rate it! 1.05 Ascot: A small but select field and an intriguing contest in store BREEDSBREEZE handles this ground and that may see a
result coming his way. This could have a big impact on the RSA betting for next month at Cheltenham, and at the moment the selection currently floats around the 14/1 mark. That could look generous in an open renewal if he wins this impressively and he could well do. His beating of Massini’s Maguire at Kempton has been franked since and with the ground no problem he can continue his unbeaten run over fences. Ballyfitz lost his record last time out at Cheltenham when the stable were in the doldrums he was beaten by a stablemate of Breedsbreeze but he may well bounce back although heavy ground is an unknown. One horse who will be ok on it is Carruthers who receives 7lb from the two horses mentioned. He beat nothing last time out at Fakenham but he is closely linked with Ballyfitz on a form line through What A Friend who beat him at Uttoxeter. He is a front-runner who jumps well and he must be of interest. Turkish Surprise completes the line-up, and it will be interesting to see how he gets on. He has bumped into two good one’s in his two UK starts and remains a horse of some potential. A fascinating clash where jumping out of the ground may be key with two front-runners about, but preference is for Breedsbreeze to sail home. 1.40 Ascot: Whiteoak has been off the track for a long time due to injury setbacks and this is unlikely to be her major target preference then is for the unexposed BELCANTISTA ahead of Issaquah, American Trilogy and Serabad. The selection was last seen back in December when finishing behind Sentry Duty at the track. This unexposed son of Unfuwain has missed many an engagement since due to the weather and if he is fully tuned up, he looks sure to run well of this mark of 134 and a feather-weight of ten stone today. The presence of Lough Derg keeps most of these in the handicap, but the top-weight cannot be ruled out. He was at his gritty best when winning here in January and wasn’t disgraced last time out at Prestbury Park although he wasn’t quite his true self. My Turn Now was progressive when seen six months ago and further improvement cannot be ruled out, whilst Chief Yeoman and Serabad were both in good form when last seen and each should have no worries with the ground. Mamlook has been disappointing so far this season but is starting to creep down towards a fair mark, Issaquah couldn’t cope with the step up in class last time but wasn’t disgraced in defeat, whilst American Trilogy is an unexposed Novice who now steps up for a crack at the bigger boys. Dave’s Dream is another who must be considered but this is a big step up in class for him today, whilst Onnix ran a lot better than his odds suggested he would last time and is a player once again. Irish challenger Dancing Tornado ran well at Leopardstown last time but the English handicapper has a dim view of him and he is rated a whopping 12lb higher on these shores. That makes life tough, and it may pay to side with Belcantista to make up for lost opportunities. 1.55 Haydock: Top-weight Miko De Beauchene’s jumping along with his handicap mark is a worry and preference is for NENUPHAR COLLONGES ahead of Cornish Sett, Mon Mome and L’Aventure. A typically hard handicap to get to grips with, and a real slog in the mud on the cards. The selection has a bit of work to do with several of these on their clash in the Welsh National, however his jumping was poor that day and eventually it took his toll as he finished in a ten-length seventh. He is a strong stayer and a bounce back to form is not an unrealistic proposition. Character Building is interesting given his profile and a recent run over hurdles the booking of AP McCoy catches the eye. He was beaten however by Rambling Minster at Cheltenham last time, whilst L’Aventure fell in that race. He looks to have an interesting weight today and if his jumping holds up he must be there or thereabouts. Carnival Town looked a different animal last time but there is no guarantee that he will run the same race, whilst Coe, Sherwood’s Folly and Glasker Mill give owner Trevor Hemmings a very strong hand. All stay well, all act on the ground, and all three have a good shout. Eric’s Charm bumped into a good one last time at Sandown the winner Can’t Buy Time is a live Grand National chance and the form looks good so on ground that suits he is unlikely to be far away off the same mark of 140. Opera Mundi goes well here but is yet to really prove his stamina for a test like this. Comply Or Die is Grand National bound for a defence of his crown but will reportedly miss race due to a dirty scope. A very tricky renewal for punters to spend hours dissecting, but it is Nenuphar Collonges who gets our backing.
2.05 Wincanton: MORE THE MERRIER gets the vote in this opener ahead of Painter Man and Petroupetrov.