Friday's heavy rain has hit field sizes so Tony Calvin limits himself to just two bets but a win for either would still result in a tasty profit...
"Monbeg Dude is a grinder who goes well in soft ground, and he ran another good race when fourth in the Welsh National at Chepstow last time. The handicapper has played fair by dropping him 2lb for that effort, and hopefully he can improve upon his third placing in this race two seasons ago."
Back Monbeg Dude at odds of 7.613/2 in the 14:55 at Haydock
Small fields don't tend to lend themselves to betting opportunities, and that is pretty much the case today. So today's column is short and sweet, for once.
The fields at Ascot are particularly disappointing, with none of the four Channel 4 races even attracting an eight-runner field but there may be some mileage in Ma Filleule at odds of 5.04/1 in the Ascot Betfair Chase at 15:50.
Some of the better judges in the press room were scrabbling around trying to secure big prices about her for the Gold Cup after she ran away with the Topham off a mark of 150 at Aintree last season, but those investments look destined for the bin as she now appears to be heading for the Ryanair.
And, to be perfectly honest, she hasn't really stepped up to the plate in two runs this season.
But there was obviously a lot more promise in her third to subsequent Lexus third Sam Winner at the Liverpool track last time, where the fact that all the fences in the straight were omitted didn't do her any favours, as one of the best weapons in her armoury is her jumping.
I think she would prefer better ground but she has won on heavy and the mares allowance she gets from her rivals could prove the difference in a tight race.
I marginally favour Blue Heron in the Kingwell at Wincanton but for my other bet on a low-key punting Saturday I side with Monbeg Dude at 7.613/2 in the Grand National Trial at Haydock at 14:55.
You know what you are getting with this horse. He is a grinder who goes well in soft ground, and he ran another good race when fourth in the Welsh National at Chepstow last time.
The handicapper has played fair by dropping him 2lb for that effort, and hopefully he can improve upon his third placing in this race two seasons ago.
Best of luck.
Recommended Bets
Back Ma Filleule at odds of 5.04/1 in the 15:50 at Ascot
Back Monbeg Dude at odds of 7.613/2 in the 14:55 at Haydock