The New One at Haydock

Another star - and potential Cheltenham championship winner - running today is The New One (Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies) who goes for the Champion Hurdle Trial at 15.05 CET at Haydock. He is second favourite for the big race and clearly the main British hope and in theory cannot lose here. Bertimont (Dan and Harry Skelton) was well behind him at Cheltenham last time, and we are not convinced by Desert Cry (Donald McCain/ Jason Maguire) on this ground, so Irish raider Strongpoint (Stuart Crawford/ Peter Buchanan) could possibly finish runner-up.

The big betting race here is the Peter Marsh Chase over an extended 3 miles at 16.15; this will be an exhausting affair on the going and specialists will have an advantage, so we choose Vintage Star (Sue Smith/ Barry Hughes), runner-up last year under similar conditions and now better off at the weights.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Milansbar - Kingswell Theatre - Araldur
2. Race: Close Touch - Colour Squadron - Cogry
3. Race: Kiama Bay - Aso - Kingfisher Creek
4. Race: Bertimont - Desert Cry - Strongpoint
5. Race: Carraig Mor - Third Intention - Mwaleshi
6. Race: Benbens - Shangani - Corrin Wood
7. Race: Subtle Grey - One For Arthur - Uncle Tone