We start off at Ascot on what looks the start of a cracking weekend's racing, and the two-mile introductory hurdle (14:05) looks an interesting contest. Tradewinds was well backed on his debut under rules at Ayr last spring but could only manage second. He certainly looks a horse of potential and represents powerful connections, but on his first start over hurdles he will struggle to get the better of Irving. He tanked along for much of his debut for Paul Nicholls at Taunton last week, eventually beating the fancied Cup Final by four lengths, but it could easily have been more. We've allotted him a rating of 113P over hurdles suggesting there is significant improvement likely, and he can continue his rapid ascent up the novice hurdling ranks today.
It's north to Haydock Park next for the first day of what looks an excellent Betfair Chase meeting and it's the two-mile-seven-furlong novices' chase (14:30) under consideration. Whilst there are only four runners this looks a red-hot contest, with both Many Clouds and Shotgun Paddy surpassing their hurdles form at their first attempt over fences. Black Thunder caught the eye at Fontwell, but the preference is for Up And Go, who is in receipt of weight all round and looks a horse who will flourish over fences. Donald McCain has made no secret of how much he rates this horse, and although today's trip might be a little bit further than absolutely ideal, he will have been trained to the minute and is capable of putting up a winning performance.
We return to Ascot for our final bet of today, where the resurgent Night Alliance can get the better of Annacotty in the three-mile handicap chase (15:15). A few hold strong claims, and none more so than Martin Keighley's five-year old who relished the step up to this trip at Kempton recently. However Night Alliance looked better than ever when winning at Ffos Las on his last start, and looks fairly-treated in spite of his penalty for that performance. The stable are in good form of late and although this looks a significant step-up in grade compared to the company he has kept so far, he should be more than capable of coping and giving us a win to end the week.
Timeform UK SmartPlays
Back Irving @ 1.548/15 in the 14:05 at Ascot
Back Up And Go @ 1.981/1 in the 14:30 at Haydock
Back Night Alliance @ 5.79/2 n the 15:15 at Ascot
