Full programme today

There is as full programme today with 5 meetings this afternoon. With oinly 3 172 weeks now till the start of the Cheltenham Festival, today is almost the last chance for prep races for the mega-event. Both Wincanton and Gowran Park stage an all-hurdles card, as the chase courses there are unraceable,but in both cases the main event is in any case over hurdles. There is a small but select field for the two big chases at Ascot, both with several Cheltenham prospects engaged. The ground is very soft to heavy everywhere and will be particularly testing at Haydock for the big Grand National Trial over 3 1/2 miles.