Rest of today´s racing

The going will be very heavy at Haydock this afternoon which will make the 3 1/2 miles of the Grand National Trial at 16.20 CET a real test. The field includes the 2009 Grand National winner Mon Mome (Venetia Williams/ Aidan Coleman) as well as the first two from this season´s Welsh National Le Beau Bai (Richard Lee/ Charlie Poste) and Giles Cross (Vic Dartnall/ Denis O´Regan). Neither has run since, but at these weights we think that Giles Cross can turn the tables. There are plenty of other possibilties.including top-weight Neptune Collonges (Paul Nicholls/ Harry Derham), who is not far off top class but has to give away 12 lbs and more here, and the German-bred Fredo (Ian Williams/ Dougie Costello), but both of them could have problems with the ground.

The Grade Two novice hurdle over 3 miles at 15.10 is another open race. Brindisi Breeeze (Lucinda Russell/ Campbell Gillies) is our tentative suggestion, but Harry Topper (Kim Bailey/ Sean Quinlan) and Real Milan (Donald McCain/ Jason Maguire) are two of several dangers. The handicap hurdle at 16.55, also over 3 miles, looks almost impossible but we shall try a tiny each-way bet on Alfie Sherrin. (Jonjo O´Neill/ David Casey).

Wincanton´s Kingswell Hurdle at 16.45 is an important Champion Hurdle trial, and the small field includes 3 serious Cheltenham contenders- Binocular (Nicky Henderson/ Tony McCoy)- the 2010 Cheltenham winner, Celestial Halo (Paul Nicholls/ Daryl Jacob) and Starluck (David Arbuthnot/ Tom Cannon), who receives 8 lbs from the other pair. Even so, we do not fancy him and also suspect that Celestial Halo will this time get the better of Binocular.

There are also smart hurdlers on view in Ireland, and the Grade two race at Gowran Park at 16.15 looks at the mercy of Zaidpour (Willie Mullins/ Paul Townend). The same team can also win the Grade Two chase at 15.05 with Apt Approach, but we narrowly prefer Rubi Light (Robert Hennessy/ Andrew Lynch).

Haydock - betting forecast:
1. Race: Une Artiste - Lexi`S Boy - Moujik Borget
2. Race: Brindisi Breeze - Thehillofuisneach - Harry Topper
3. Race: Featherbed Lane - Restless Harry - Cross Kennon
4. Race: Le Beau Bai - Giles Cross - Always Right
5. Race: Houblon Des Obeaux - Wayward Prince - Tour Des Champs
6. Race: Lackamon - Cannington Brook - Scoter Fontaine
7. Race: Hills Of Aran - Turko - Surenaga