Sandown Saturday

1.45 Bet365 Novices’ Championship Final Handicap Hurdle 1m 7f 216yd

Cosmic Connection is thoroughly unexposed having begun his career under rules just a matter of weeks ago, and he can defy top weight having impressed when making a winning handicap debut at Chepstow last time. Winner of a point in January for Donnchadh Doyle, Cosmic Connection impressed with his attitude when overcoming trouble to make a winning start over hurdles at Warwick before finishing second to the 142-rated Rossington Main runner-up Hurricane Pat on his second start.

Handed an opening mark of 123, Cosmic Connection progressed again to beat a useful sort in The Kemble Brewery at Chepstow, and did so while appearing to have something left in reserve. A 6lb rise demands more in a competitive race, but he looks a really exciting prospect for Chris Gordon, and is taken to maintain his excellent start.

2.20 Bet365 Oaksey Chase (Grade 2) 2m 6f 164yd

This certainly isn’t the best renewal of the Grade 2 Oaksey Chase, with connections competing for the Menorah Trophy, and it’s hard to get away from Blow Your Wad, who has turned over a new leaf since joining Gary & Josh Moore, winning at Chepstow last time to build on in-frame efforts at Ascot (Grade 1 Ascot Chase behind Jonbon), Newbury (Greatwood Gold Cup, behind recent Perth winner Heltenham) and Cheltenham (Ultima Handicap Chase behind Johnnywho).

Those efforts all read very well in the context of this event and a reproduction of any of them would likely be enough to take this despite the step up in class. Freddie Mitchell can’t claim here due to the prestige of the race, but that was also the case in the Ascot Chase and I’d be disappointed if that factor was the difference between winning and losing.

2.55 Bet365 Celebration Chase (Grade 1) 1m 7f 99yd

With Jonbon out Thistle Ask comes here fresh having given Jonbon a fright in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot and he can help cap a memorable season for Dan Skelton by exacting some revenge here.

Tactics could play a part here, and a battle up front between Thistle Ask and Solness could soften the pair up, and supporters of Jonbon will rely on such a scenario, but I don’t think it will play out quite as expected.

I was very keen on Solness at Aintree as I thought he would get a fairly easy lead, but while he’s game as a pebble and hard to pass when dominating, he can roll over rather easily if unable to get to the front quickly in a race, and if Thistle Ask leads over the first fence, the battle with Solness – who downed tools early at Leopardstown in the Dublin Chase – may fail to materialise. I also think this track is tailor-made for the bold-jumping Thistle Ask and expect him to prove extremely hard to beat in the circumstances.

3.30 Bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase 3m 4f 146yd

Havaila is in the form of his life and has shown surprising stamina for a horse with a flat background. Winner of the Sussex National on his latest start, he should make a bold bid to add to his account here, with the likely strong gallop ideal for a hold-up performer who tends to travel and jump well in his races.

An enthusiastic sort, Havaila used to need a hood to curb such tendencies, but fences have helped in that regard and he’s looked better than ever without headgear on his last two starts, beating Some Scope with something in hand at Newbury (three miles, good) before swamping his rivals late at Plumpton last time.

Still just a seven-year-old, Havaila could progress further in marathon chases and his run style should be ideally suited to a track that rewards sound jumping and those able to produce a finishing kick.

Resplendent Grey didn’t go a yard when tried in blinkers at Cheltenham last month, but won this last year with cheekpieces fitted and isn’t out of it with the less severe headgear now back on. He’s clearly suited by this test and is one to utilise in exotics, for all he may struggle to concede 17lb to the selection.

Haydock Saturday

2.35 William Hill Epic Boosts Handicap 7f 37yd

The move to Ed Bethell could suit Khafiz, who shaped like a work in progress last term for Roger Varian, winning his first two starts and running his best race when beaten half as length by subsequent Lincoln runner-up Rogue Diplomat at Doncaster in the autumn.

That came on heavy ground but his wins have been achieved on quicker turf and this unexposed four-year-old can progress again for new connections. Bethell is almost certain to have Khafiz ready for his return and he is just 1lb higher than for his Doncaster effort, just his second in a handicap.

Great Acclaim looks a danger for Eve Johnson Houghton. He disappointed in the Lincoln last time but went without headgear at Doncaster and seems to need some such aid to show his best these days. He races in refitted blinkers here, and was similarly attired when scoring at Goodwood and Chepstow last summer, with his full record when blinkered reading 11224.

Leicester Saturday

2.05 Caffreys Black Stout King Richard III Cup Handicap 6f

The faster the turf the better for Zoulu Chief, who is taken to make all from a low draw in this handicap. Suited by an undulating track, but adaptable as a rule, he has gained three of his four wins on good or faster ground at six furlongs, but his ability to stay a little further is a bonus when faced with a stiff finish like Leicester’s.

It’s not hard to forgive a slightly sub-par run over a sharp six furlongs at Lingfield in January and his previous win represented a career-best effort. A game and reliable sort, he’s sure to make a bold show with his draw allowing him to race up the favoured centre of the track.