Rest of today´s racing

The undercard at Haydock is also very strong, with large and competitive fields in the handicaps and a small but select line-up for the 2 mjle hurdle race at 13.45 CET, which should lie between the two 4yo´s Far West (Paul Nicholls/ Nick Scholfield) and Rolling Star (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty). They finished 2nd and 6th respectively in the Triumph Hurdle, Aand although they have to concede woght to the older horses, they look thr class acts in this field. Our main handoivap fancy is German-bred Home Run )David Pipe/ Kieron Edgar) in the 2 1/2 mile hurdle at 14.50. We are still kicking ourselves for not backing him jast Sunday when he won at 40-1 at Cheltenham; he has no penalty for that win, as it was a race for conditionals and the same jockey is on board today. Running twice in a week seems to be no problem for this close relation to Hurricane Run, as he won 5 races in the space of 4 weeks last year. Top-weight Edgardo Sol (Nicholls/ Harry Derham) , who has been chasing, could be the danger but he has to give Home Run an awful lot of weight. The 3 mile handicap hurdle at 15.25 is a really tough race; Trustan Times (Tim Easterby/ Dougie Costello) won it last year and despite carrying 6 lbs more should go well again., but Gevrey Chambertin (David Pipe/ Tom Scudamore) looks another Pipe special, while Alan King´s two runners should also be considered.

By contrast, the main features at Ascot have cut up badly and only two now run in the Grade Two Amwell Chase at 15.05. French Opera (Nicky Henderson/ Andrew Tinkler) is pretty useful, but under normal circumstances he cannot beat Paul Nicholls´ high-class Al Ferof. He is one of Nicholls´ big hopes for this season, and so is Zarkandar, who runs in the Grade Two Coral Hurdle at 15.40. He has been placed in the last 2 Champion Hurdles and has won 8 out of other 9 races. However here he must concede 11 lbs to the top novice Annie Power (Willie Mullins/ Ruby Walsh), which may well be impossible. The Shirocco mare from a top German family, unbeaten in 7 starts, is expected to be the stable´s next superstar. The other 2 runners here are out of their depth. Regular readers will know that we like to follow German-breds and they are advised to give serious consideration to Attimo (Charlie Mann/ Micky Grant) in the opening novice hurdle at 13.25; this half-brother to top stayer Altano made up a lot of ground when fifth in his hurdling debut and this longer trip should be right up his street.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Hawkhill - Quick Decisson - Tidal Way
2. Race: Far West - Rolling Star - Doyly Carte
3. Race: Ace High - Gorgehous Lliege - Mister Philson
4. Race: Home Run - More Of That - Blue Fashion
5. Race: Gevrey Chambertin - Gullinbursti - Master Of The Sea
6. Race: Bobs Worth - Silviniaco Conti - Dynaste
7. Race: Gas Line Boy - The Rainbow Hunter - Quincy Des Pictons