N.H. stars in action today at Ascot and Haydock

Most leading N.H. trainers are trying to make up for lost time today by running several of their top Cheltenham hopes at Ascot and/or Haydock. This is particularly true of Nicky Henderson ; as you can´t be in two places at once, it will be interesting to see where he goes today - to watch champion hurdler Punjabi (Barry Geraghty) at Haydock or his top 2-miler Petit Robin (Tony McCoy) at Ascot. The latter goes for the Grade One Victor Chandler Chase at 15.40 CETand faces tough opposition from two German-breds Twist Magic (Paul Nicholls/ Ruby Walsh) and Well Chief (David Pipe/ Timmy Murphy). We would love to see Well Chief win, but the ground may be against him, and he was held by Petit Robin last time, while Twist Magic was most impressive at Sandown, but does not always shine here.
Also at Ascot, the Grade Two mares hurdle at 15.05 should go to Whiteoak (Donald McCain/ Murphy), who has to concede weight all round but is clear best on ratings. Strawberry (Henderson/ McCoy) and Sweetheart (Jamie Poulton/ Mattie Batchelor) - runner-up here last year- can follow her home. The limited handicap hurdle at 16.10 is a real puzzle with 17 runners, 3 of them trained by David Pipe- top-weight Lough Derg (Tom Scudamore), who can never be left out at this track and has won this race the last two years, Ashkazar (Murphy) and Mamlook (Hadden Frost), although the likely favourite is Qosak ( Nicholls/ Walsh). This one trotted up at Taunton on Thursday, and although it is unlike the champion trainer to run a horse twice in 3 days, he is expected to follow up and go on to better things.
There are some small fields at Haydock - only 4 runners in the 3 best races- but the qulity more thn maks up for the lak of quantity. Punjabi can win the Champion Hurdle Trial at 15.55, but is no certainty, while Diamond Harry is an exciting newcomer in the Grade Two novice chase at 15.20. The Peter Marsh handicap chase over 3 miles at 16.30 is another excellent race. Mon Mome (Venetia Williams/ Aidan Coleman) won the Grand National, but we cannot fancy him at these weights and prefer Cloudy Lane (Donald McCain/ Jason Maguire), who won this last year and runs his best races here.

Betting forecast Ascot:
1. Race: Reindeer Dippin - Bormo - Teddy`S Reflection
2. Race: Advisor - Barwell Bridge - Heez A Cracker
3. Race: Whiteoak - Strawberry - Amber Brook
4. Race: Twist Magic - Petit Robin - Well Chief
5. Race: Stravinsky Dance - Micheal Flips - Qozak
6. Race: Ellerslie George - Will Be Done - Piraya
7. Race: Volador - Lush Life - Billie Magern



Betting forecast Haydock:
1. Race: Radium - Peddlers Cross - Scriptwriter
2. Race: Sherwoods Folly - Mark The Book - Huka Lodge
3. Race: Diamond Harry - Knockara Beau - Bensalem
4. Race: Punjabi - Medermit - Cape Tribulation
5. Race: According To Pete - Prince De Beauchene - Fortification
6. Race: Fabulous Fred - Larks Lad - Glenwood Knight