THE focus for me this weekend is Ascot on Sunday, when I have two rides in valuable chases. Both have chances.

Fox Appeal runs in the grandnational2017.com Veterans’ Handicap Chase and ticks lots of boxes. He’s relatively fresh, having not run since January, likes Ascot and will appreciate this drying ground.

He won a Grade 2 here a few years back and has also been placed in some decent handicaps at the course. Emma Lavelle’s horses are running well and he looks the ideal type to make a mark in these veterans’ races, which are a fantastic concept. They appeal to the public, offer horses more longevity and have good prize money.

Champagne At Tara runs in the Ascot United FC Novices’ Handicap Chase following a disappointing run at Cheltenham. I am not sure why he ran like he did but he’d previously shown good form to win at Leicester and ran well in defeat at Newbury and Ascot. He was only beaten a neck at Ascot in December in a similar level of race.

The ground will help his chances and he should run well if back on song but it’s worth bearing in mind that he does not win that often.

STRATFORD

I have four rides at Stratford today and am not sure I can point you to a winner with any real conviction.

The Jonjo O’Neill pair of Strongly Suggested and Hedley Lamarr will need to improve on their recent form but the bumper horse Tourboy is eye-catching given Mark Fahey is sending him over from Ireland.

Looking ahead to Aintree, I don’t know what I’ll be riding yet in the Randox Health Grand National but will talk more about that in next week’s column.

In the meantime, now that Robbie Power has been retained to ride Fox Norton, my best chance at this early stage looks to be Go Conquer, who runs in the Randox Health Topham Handicap Chase on Friday.

He ran a great race at the Cheltenham Festival, where he raced prominently before fading to finish fifth. I think the track at Aintree will really suit his style of racing and he enjoys his jumping. I’d be pretty hopeful, especially off what looks like being a light weight.

FLAT TITLE TIP

The flat season is getting under way now and I think the fight for the 2017 Stobart flat jockeys’ championship will be an interesting one.

I fancied James Doyle to give it a real go this season, but it looks as if he’ll be required in Australia, which I think paves the way for Paul Hanagan.

He is a very busy rider and the end of his association with Sheikh Hamdan frees him up even more. He also has the endless stream of rides from Richard Fahey to take advantage of. I am sure Silvestre De Sousa won’t be far behind, but Paul would be my title tip.

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