Weekend Racing

Our tipster Paul Jacobs had a bit of success here. Monet’s Garden came in a winner as 11/10 favourite at Ascot, while Red Spell placed at Lingfield.

Ascot

2.20 – The ground drying out is very much in the favour of MONET’S GARDEN and he should leave his King George form well behind here.

It transpired that he was dehydrated that day, but that aside I still believe him to be a better horse over a shorter trip despite the fact that the grey stayed three miles well over hurdles.

I would love to see him take on old Arkle rival Voy Por Ustedes in the Champion Chase as he only has a length and a quarter to find on that form.

If the ground does dry up and Ascot doesn’t see too much of the forecast rain then Fota Island looks sure to leave behind his decidedly rocky form this season, while a similar going scenario will also suit Thisthatandtother and the smart River City. But this is D-Day for the selection who should prove too hot for his rivals.

Haydock

1.25 – A cracking renewal of this valuable affair and I think UNITED is worth another try at this trip after not looking as though she saw it out here last year.

She seems to have settled much better in her races this season, a fact reflected in her beating Chamoss Royale over 2m5f on testing ground at Sandown.

Another mare, Material World is also going from strength to strength and as there are no question marks over her stamina, I expect the lightly raced nine-year-old to prove the biggest danger to the selection. I have old man Korelo Bay top of my ratings, but this failed chaser has not really been in form this year, but as with all David Pipe’s runners the market will be an invaluable tool to use as regards his well being.

2.00 – This renewal of the Red Vodka looks to have plenty of depth to it and although up in the weights by the best part of two stone this term , KILBEGGAN BLADE looks sure to take all the beating.

Tom George is a dab hand at producing these out and out staying chasers and keeping them on an upward curve and I was massively impressed by his performance when seeing off Truckers Tavern and company over C&D in the Tim Molony Chase. Sure this is a further step up the ladder, but this dour stayer has been given plenty of time to get over that run and is a worthy favourite in my view.

L’Aventure finds herself 3lbs lower in the weights than when winning the Welsh National a couple of years ago, but has run three stinkers this term. The ground will not be a problem for this eight-year-old and if Nicholls has managed to freshen her up she is the most likely source of an upset.

For me, Mon Mome looks locked in the hands of the handicapper at the moment so the biggest rivals to the selection could come from outsider Royal Emperor and Preacher Boy.

The last named has sound claims on his Hennessy run and comes here a relatively fresh horse. Royal Emperor has a cracking record at the track and a reproduction of Gold Cup form would put him right in the mix here despite his tendency to make mistakes; the softer the ground the better for the 11-year-old.

Lingfield

2.05 – RED SPELL has been in great form this winter over a variety of distances and should take the deal of beating in this valuable event over arguably his best trip. Set to hang from just off the pace, the six-year-old possibly has Orchid Supreme to beat from the in form Richard Hannon yard.