Cheltenham trials also at Haydock

A hig-class card also at Haydock, where the most interesting races comes ri ght at the start- the Grade One hurdle over 3 miles 1 furlong at 14.20 CET. World Hurdle favourite Kasbah Bliss (Francois Doumen/ Christophe Pieux) and Duc de Regniere (Nicky Henderson/ Tony McCoy) are the ones to beat here, but they have to give weight to some useful opponents. The novice hurdle over the same trip at 15.55 should also provide Cheltenham clues, and Massatoit (Paul Nicholls/ Sam Thomas) and Tarablaze (Philip Hobbs/ Tony McCoy) should dominate here. The valuable handicap chase over 3 1/2 miles at 14.40 is more of a Grand National trial, although 2008 winner Comply or Die is a non-runner. This is still wide open, and our short list includes Trevor Hemmings´ two runners Coe ((Sue Smith/ Richard McGrath) and Glasker Mill (Henrietta Knight/ Dominic Elsworth), as well as Mon Mome (Venetia Williams/ Walter Biddick), and Cornish Sett (Paul Nicholls/ Nick Scholfield) and Sherwoods Folly(Henry Daly/ Seamus Durack), second and fifth respectively last time in the Welsh Grand Natiopnal.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Kasbah Bliss - Duc De Regniere - Sweetheart
2. Race: Sherwoods Folly - Character Building - Coe
3. Race: Stow - Resounding Glory - Indian Groom
4. Race: Massasoit - Tarablaze - Jaunty Journey
5. Race: Inchidaly Rock - Heathcliff - Pennek
6. Race: Just Smudge - Sovereign King - Saphir Des Bois
7. Race: Le Duc - Border Fusion - Herecomestanley