Evening all,

Inside today’s main piece I look at the best of the action ITV this afternoon.

Milder weather looks to have arrived in Ireland. That means there a good chance that Navan will be able to race on Saturday and Thurles should be fine for Sunday.

This side of the Irish Sea we lost Taunton who didn’t wait for a Saturday morning inspection after a worse than expected frost on Friday morning. That leaves just Haydock which surprisingly didn’t need to inspect on Friday afternoon after pick-up in temperatures meant the track was raceable on Friday. There will be an inspection at 8am on Saturday morning to decide if racing can go ahead.  A lot depends on how sharp the frost is on Friday night. If it drops to minus -2 or-3 then things could get interesting.  I wonder what fun and games we can expect tomorrow morning. It’s not like we haven’t been here before with Haydock.

With Ascot and now Taunton off. ITV plan to cover four races from Haydock and four from Lingfield’s all-weather card,

Anyway, in the hope that Haydock does race here’s a short preview of the best of the action from Haydock.

Haydock

The going at Haydock is being described as heavy so it’s going to be very testing.

1:30 – Sky Bet Supreme Trial Rossington Main Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (1m 7 ½ f)

Only likely favourite Pembroke has winning form on heavy ground. Pembroke is improving with racing and bids for a hat trick after wins at Wetherby & Ludlow. Worth his place in Graded company.  Chasing Fire is his main rival. The 6-year-old won a bumper last spring and has won both his starts over hurdles. Another on the upgrade and worth his place in this company. If he handles the more testing ground, he won’t be far away. War Soldier a winner at Newcastle on his second start over hurdles, followed up over C&D last month. He probably needs further in this company but the more of a stamina test the better his chance.

2:05 – The New One Unibet Hurdle (Grade 2) (1m 7 ½ f)

Epatante runner-up to stablemate Constitution Hill on both starts this season is the one they must beat. He class could get her home, but heavy ground has to be of concern for the short-priced favourite. I Like to Move It was a smart novice hurdler last season and looked to have improved further when making most to win the Greatwood Hurdle on his seasonal return. Disappointed back their last time but better expected here. Like the favourite, heavy ground is an unknown for the 6-year-old. One runner who won’t have any concerns with the heavy ground is Jason The Militant who is having his first start since joining Philp Kirby. His Irish form entitles him to serious consideration and he’s not one to dismiss easily given his liking for testing ground.

2:40 – Peter Marsh Handicap Chase (3m 1 ½

A poor turnout with just six set to meet the starter for this valuable Limited Handicap Chase. Bristol De Mai and Fontaine Collonges. It’s the former’s favourite track, he loves heavy ground and he won the race way back in 2017. He could easily roll back the years and win it again.  Fontaine Collonges won over C&D two starts back and looked an improving staying handicap chaser before finding 3m around Kempton to much of a speed test. Must have a good chance of giving Venetia Williams a hat trick of wins in the race.

Empire of Steel was well fancied (4/1) for last year’s race. However, he never travelled or jumping with any fluency and was pulled up. Well suited to bottomless ground. The 9-year-old ran better on his seasonal return than his 4 ½ lengths 7th of 13 to Brave Seasca at Aintree suggests and is a big contender.

Cooper’s Cross looks interesting for the step up to 3m+ and I think he’s capable of defying his present mark, but heavy ground is a bit of an unknown.

No going concerns for Dr Kananga he ran below market expectations in the Becher Handicap Chase at Aintree last time. He’s better than he was able to show last time and could get an uncontested lead here.

3:10 – Racing TV Club Day Handicap Hurdle (3m ½ f)

Broadway Boy won a novices handicap hurdle at Aintree last month. The 5-year-old was well suited to the step to 3m last time and there should be more improvement to come from him.  He’s vying for favouritism with the De Legislator who made it 2-2 over hurdles and seemed to relish heavy ground when winning at Kelso 23-days ago. Like Broadway Boy there should be more to come the 6-year-old.  

Bells Of Peterboro is a consistent staying handicap hurdler who goes well on testing ground. The 8-year-old returned to hurdles with a solid enough effort when a 4 ¼ length 2nd of 10 at Chepstow 25-days ago. A 3lb rise makes life tougher but he should remain competitive albeit he doesn’t have the upside of the two mentioned. Steller Magic was back to form last time when a ¾ length 2^nd of 11 at Wincanton on Boxing Day. He’s 4lb higher here but is unexposed over 3m and isn’t ruled out.

Saturday Verdict:

Yesterday’s selection Spirit of Light was unlucky in the run at Meydan. Let’s hope for better today. The first two ITV races from Haydock don’t appeal from a betting perspective. I’m going to take on the front two in the market in the Peter Marsh Chase with Empire Steel and Dr Kananga although I want the former to drift out to at least 4/1 before I get involved. The extended 3m handicap hurdle (3:10) is a tricky puzzle do you go with the unexposed pair Broadway Boy & De Legislator at the head of the betting or the more exposed Bells Of Peterboro and less so Steller Magic.

Saturday Selection:

Haydock

3:10 – Bells Of Peterboro – 9/1 @ Bet365.

Good luck with your Saturday bets.

John