Haydock, Wincanton and Gowran Park

German-bred Local Hero (Steve Gollings/ Graham Lee) puts his unbeaten record on the line when he contests Haydock´s 4yo hurdle at 14.40 CET. We are not sure how the brother to Liquido will act on this heavy ground, and in case he meets much tougher opposition than on his previous 3 starts. Houblon des Obeaux (Venetia Williams/ Aidan Coleman)and Third Intention (Colin and Joe Tizzard), who meets him on 3 lbs better terms for 2 lengths, will make him pull out all the stops. The Grade Two 3 mile novice hurdle half an hour later looks simple for Court on Motion (Emma Lavelle/ Jack Doyle), who goes well on the heavy, and won by 21 lengths last time. The Grade Two hurdle over the same trip at 15.45 should go to Bensalem (Alan King/ Wayne Hutchinson), but the big betting race here, the Grand National Trial over 3 1/2 miles at 16.20 looks much more difficult. Normally one would be wary of horses carrying big weight over this distance on heavy ground, but we think that the 3 top-wei ghts have the best chances here - last year´s winner Silver by Nature (Lucinda Russell/ Peter Buchanan), Madison du Berlais (David Pipe/ Danny Cook) and Carruthers (Mark Bradstock/ Matt O´Connell); all three show their best form on the heavy.

Despite the attractions of Ascot and Haydock, top jockeys Tony McCoy and Robert Thornton will be in action at Wincanton, where the Grade Two Kingwell Hurdle, a recognised Champion Hurdle trial at 16.45, is the main feature. Only 5 runners, but still a classy turnout, and we give the vote to Donald McCain´s strong front-runner Overturn (Jason Maguire) to beat top handicapper Mille Chief (King/ Choc).

There is also a Champion Hurdle trial in Ireland, but only 3 line up for Gowran Park´s Red Mills Hurdle at 1.40. Dunguib (Philip Fenton/ Barry O´Connell) was regarded as a huge star early on in his career, but was slighty disppointing on his last two starts; he returns here after a 9 month absense and if anywhere near peak form, should win this easily.