Competitive jumps racing at Haydock and Ascot

Haydock and Ascot both stage top class racing tomorrow (Long Run, Master Minded et al) but they also offer some very competitive racing today, despite generally small fields. At Haydock, the card opens with a very open handicap hurdle over 2 miles at 13.50 CET. The favourite here is Remember Now (Nicky Henderson/ Tony McCoy), but we are not totally convinced. His reputation owes much to his top connections and to the fact that he is a brother to Binocular. We will take a chance on Afsoun (Neil King/ Alex Merriam) -trained by Henderson to finish 3rd in the 2007 Champion Hurdle, but a long way off that form ever since - and Sir Tantallus Hawk (Alan Swinbank/ Fearghal Davis),whose stable is in good form. Th n 3 racs ll hve 5 runnrs or lss, but gill look very tricky. The graduation chase at 14.20 can go to Toubab (Paul Nicholls/ Ruby Walsh), but Doctor David (Lawnay Hill/ David Bass) could be dangerous despite being off for 18 months. Nicholls and Walsh can also take the n ovice chase at 14.55 with Bold Addition, a smart hurdler making his debut over fences. The listed novice hurdle at 15.30, won last year by Toubab, can also go to the same team with Plenty Pocket, although Molotof (Henderson/ McCoy) is a big danger; the other 3 runners are all running over sticks for the first time, but they are all flat winners and receiving weight, so cannot be totally ignored. Super Duty (Donald McCain/ Jason Maguire) is the hot favourite after his Carlisle romp for the novice hurdle at 16.05, but The Fonz (Pauline Robeson/ Jimmy McCarthy) could be an alternative. He was a decent handicapper on the flat for Sir Michael Stoute and has shown promise on his two hurdles starts.

Haydock - betting forecast:
1. Race: Remember Now - Desert Cry - Sure Josie Sure
2. Race: Toubab - Nadiya De La Vega - Silk Drum
3. Race: Mr Moonshine - Tornado Bob - Bold Addition
4. Race: Molotof - Plenty Pocket - Our Joe Mac
5. Race: Super Duty - The Fonz - City Press
6. Race: Hi George - Eligible - Phoenix Returns


Nicky Henderson is also strongly represented at Ascot and has his main jockey Barry Geraghty riding there. They can win the first two races with Simonsig at 14.00 and Solix at 14.35, and also have a chance with Broadbackbob in the introductory hurdle at 15.10. This however has several interesting runners, for example the smart flat horse Ted Spread (Mark Tompkins/ Daryl Jacob), who makes his hurdling debut here. The handicap chase at 15.45 looks another very open event and we have decided on an each-way bet on outsider Gee Dee Nen (Gary and Jamie Moore). He has been well beaten on his recent starts, but likes this track- where he has already won on the flat and over hurdles. We expect David Pipe to win the last 2 races with Swing Bill (Tom Bellamy) at 16.20 and Decoy (Conor O´Farrell) at 16.55; both won at Cheltenham´s big meeting a week ago and follow up here under the same jockeys.

Ascot - betting forecast:
1. Race: Simonsig - Western King - Bobcatbilly
2. Race: Solix - Duke Of Lucca - No Secrets
3. Race: Broadbackbob - Ted Spread - Cinders And Ashes
4. Race: Restezen D`Armor - Balzaccio - Court In Session
5. Race: Swing Bill - Vincitore - Stoney`S Treasure
6. Race: Decoy - Rajnagan - Pantxoa