Haydock, Wincanton, Gowran Park

More clues for the big races to come can also be expected from these 3 tracks. Haydock´s big race is the Grand National Trial over 3 1/2 miles at 15.55, with severral specialists engaged, notably Giles Cross (Vic Dartnall/ Denis O´regan) who won the race last year, He has been pulled up twice since, in the National itself and more recently in the Welsh Grand National, and the first 3 from that race reappear here: the winner Monbeg Dude (Michael Scudamore/ Paul Carberry), runner-up Teaforthree (Rebecca Curtis/ Nick Scholfield) and third-placed Triggerman (Philip Hobbs/ James Best). The winner benefited from a wonderful ride last time, and as the weights have been revised, we would not be surprised to see them finish in a different order this time. Rigadin de Beauchene, from the in-form Venetia Williams stable, has been heavily backed and is the likely favourite; he gets on really well with his jockey Robbie Dunne, while Cannington Brook (Colin Tizzard/ Tom O´Brien) is a course specialist. This is a really tough race, but we shall stick with Giles Cross, whose trainer is coming back to form.

The Grade Two Rendölesham Hurdle over 3 iles at 15.20 is another race fort Specilaistrs. Cross Kennon (Jennie Candlish/ Sean Quinlan) finished well behind Kentford Grey Lady (Emma Lavelle/ Leighton Aspell) at Cheltenham last time, but we expect him to turn the tables at his favourite track; he won this race in 2011 and was runner-up last year. Trustan Times (Tim Easterby/ Dougie Costello) is another course specialist, but has a tough task under top weight.

Wincanton is Paul Nicholls´ local track and he should have plenty of winners here today, notably in the main event, the Grade Two Kingswell Hurdle at 16.35, in which he saddles 2 of the 6 runners, Zarkandar (Daryl Jacob) and Celestial Halo (Harry Skelton). The latter, well fancied for the Champion Hurdle´, in which he finished 5th last year, is the obvious favourite, but his stable companion, twice runner-up in this event and a strong front-runner, should not be ignored.

There is a similar situation at Gowran Park, where Willie Mullins has two of the 5 runners in the Grade Two Red Mills Hurdle at 16.10: Zaidpour (Paul Townend) is the clear favourite, he normally runs over much further than today´s 2 miles, but as he won the race last year, that should be no problem. However stable companion So Young (David Casey) could certainly be a danger at these weights.

Gowran Park - betting forecast:
1. Race: Courage - Ibsen - Welsh Nayber
2. Race: Zaidpour - So Young - Arnaud
3. Race: Rogue Angel - Followmeuptocarlow - Special Token
4. Race: Lookoutnow - All The Way Home - Passing Through
5. Race: Kymin`s Way - Shuilamach - Young Ambition
6. Race: Lemmond Lady - Romantic Fashion - Kris Kindle