What's on this weekend? - Part 2

 What's on this weekend? - Part 2


Saturday - Cheltenham   

Following on from a fab Friday of jumps action, Cheltenham is back in business and the card kicks off with a 2m handicap chase. Haddex Des Obeaux was impressive on his last start at Warwick back in January and is a worthy favourite. One time Grand Annual fancy Red Rookie is an intended rival and the Turners runner up Notlongtillmay carries top weight but is surprisingly a double figure price. A 4 year old hurdle follows and Paul Nicholls has the favourite, Blueking D'oroux. He was disappointing on his first few starts in this country but put it all together towards the back end of last season. The 3 mile handicap chase at 14:25 looks juicy, Lord Accord is a C&D winner who heads the betting after being reasonably well backed. The competition looks stiff and there are a host of likeable horses in there. Grimthorpe runner-up Undersupervision is among the rivals and Twig arrives on a hattrick following victory in a competitive Uttoxeter heat. The first Pertemps qualifier of the year takes place at 15:00, good luck working out who's trying! It could be a case of just backing the Irish favourite if you're yearning for a bet. I really liked Espoir De Romay once upon a time so it's disappointing to see he's been sold and runs in new colours in a handicap hurdle. In the 6 runner novice hurdle it might make sense to just back Cromwell and Donoghue given the field day they had yesterday at the track. He's a trainer in fine form. The same applies in the 4 runner novice chase where the lovable Flooring Porter takes centre stage. If taking to fences then he should be far too good for these rivals. The bumper caps off a fine weekend and Willie sends one over in the Paul Byrne so get the hammers out! Jokes aside, it should be a competitive affair with some powerful connections represented and 2 previous bumper winners.


Saturday - Doncaster 

Newbury is unfortunately abandoned but we still have top class flat action at Doncaster as their showpiece The Futurity Trophy takes place. The care kicks off with a tidy nursery where the market leaders bid for hat-tricks and the main event shortly follows. Your favourite is Godolphin's Ancient Wisdom who was supplemented for the race and he takes on the unbeaten Diego Velazquez for Ballydoyle. Roger Teal saddles listed Doncaster winner Dancing Gemini and the Gosden stable sends C&D novice winner God's Window who was ever so stylish on debut. Richmond and Acomb runner-up Ballymount Boy should be hard to pass in the listed event that follows. There's a competitive sprint handicap at 15:20 where the head of the betting is dominated by mud larks such as Desperate Hero and Manila Scouse. Certain Lad finally returned to the winners enclosure last time out and will be hoping to win again, he takes on old boy Euchen Glen at 15:50 but Hayley Turner is on the favourite as she closes in on 1000 winners. The Ayr Silver Cup winner Wobwobwob is back out, this time over 7f, it could be a decent day for Adrian Keatley. Fahey sends across a duo that likes softer conditions and Zip is a C&D winner. In the penultimate race, Hayley is jocked up on another favourite. Could today be the day for her? C&D winner and soft ground lover Broken Spear might try and spoil the fun. His trainer Tony Coyle also has the favourite in the last.


Other notable runners

My favourite horse of all time, Grand National winner Corach Rambler returns at Kelso and will have to give weight all round in the Edinburgh Gin Chase. Over in Ireland on Sunday, dual grade 1 runner up Affordale Fury makes his chasing debut.

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