N.H. racing at Ascot, Huntingdon and Gowran Park (Ireland)

There is also excellent jumps racing on view at Ascot, where the two Grade Two events are both over 2 miles 3 furlongs. The Ascot Hurdle at 15.35 has attracted a strong field. Lough Derg (David Pipe/ Richard Johnson) is an admirably tough campaigner, but faces a stiff task in giving weight to such as the unbeaten Zaynar (Nicky Henderson/ Andrew Tinkler) and Alan King´s pair Katchit (Robert Thornton) and Karabak (Tony McCoy). Katchit, who has after all won the Champion Hurdle, is best in at the weights, but he seems to be more of a Cheltenham specialist, and we prefer Karabak, who has plenty of potential. The Amlin 1965 Chase at 16.10 also has a high-class field, but we feel it can be narrowed down to Vor por Ustedes (Alan King/ Thornton) and Monet´s Garden (Nicky Richards/ Paul Carberry), while Irish raider Schindlers Hunt (Dessie Hughes/ Paddy Flood) and bottom-weight Alberta´s Run (Jonjo O Neill/ Tony McCoy) also come into the reckoning on their best form.
Nothing at Huntingdon or Gowran Park can compare with these races, but we expect Willie Mullins and Paul Townend to land a short-price double at the Irish track with Doctor Deejay at 13.40 and Enterprise Park half an hour later, while the veteran´s chase at 15.45 at Huntingdon is also a nice race. 12yo Mister McGoldrick (Sue Smith/ Shane Bryne) can take this, although Bob Bob Bobbin (Colin Tizzard/ Charlie Huxley), a sprightly youngster of 10, looks a big threat. German-bred Bergo (Gary Moore/ Andrew Glassonbury) made a good debut over fences recently and can take the novice chase at 13.35.

Ascot - betting forecast:
1. Race: Grangeclare Gold - Oamaru Stone - Arkose
2. Race: Skipper`S Lad - Pure Genius - Plane Painter
3. Race: Easter Legend - Ravello Bay - Daraz Rose
4. Race: Cornas - Master Medic - Fix The Rib
5. Race: Zaynar - Karabak - Katchit
6. Race: Voy Por Ustedes - Schindlers Hunt - Planet Of Sound
7. Race: Lush Life - Gus Macrae - Any The Wiser