ASCOT SATURDAY

1:50 SODEXO REYNOLDSTOWN NOVICES’ CHASE (Grade 2) 2M 7F 180Y

Arpege D’Alene is the pick on this winter’s form, but he doesn’t set the bar especially high for a race of this class, and he doesn’t represent obvious value. On the other hand, Fletcher’s Flyer needs to step up on the form he showed in valuable handicap over course and distance in December, but he shaped very well before appearing to find a lack of fitness telling, and his effort when scoring at Punchestown in the spring is as good as any of these can muster. He is effectively a second-season chaser against novices here, looks to have every chance on form, and yet is available at 6/1 at the time of writing. That’s unlikely to last, but he still appeals as value against the favourite and Bigbadjohn, who was a selection in this column on his latest start only to run a stinker, and while that form is no indication of his ability, he’s priced up as if it didn’t happen.

2:25 KELTBRAY SWINLEY CHASE (Listed) 2M 7F 180Y

The key to this race is how much ability remains with the classy O’Faolains Boy, who has had his problems but is high-class on his day, as he showed when slamming Sausalito Boy by 15 lengths at Newbury last season. He’s able to meet that rival on 7lb better terms, and if back to his best will take some stopping both here and in the Grand National, for which he’s been given a big chance by Phil Smith. It’s perhaps significant that his return has been delayed until the weekend after the Aintree weights were released, and reading between the lines, his absence since missing the Hennessy with a minor setback might be more by design than coincidence.

3:00 LES AMBASSADEURS CASINO HANDICAP HURDLE 2M 3F 58Y

Krugermac remains of interest from a handicapping perspective, but Gary Moore has hinted that he doesn’t want winter ground, and he is probably best left until the sun arrives in force. Of more immediate interest is Ordo Ab Chao, who has been on the sidelines for some time due to injury, but looks well treated on the form which saw him score in Grade 2 company at Cheltenham as a novice, and will be ideally suited by underfoot conditions. Alan King, who saddles the selection, also has the mare My Khaleesi, a listed winner in bumpers, who looks on a fair mark for this handicap bow, and might be allowed to go off at a daft price given she’s the stables’s “second string”. The notion that a horse has less chance than its form merits because it is not ridden by the stable jockey is often wildly at odds with the facts, and many winners can be had by ignoring such wooden-headed logic.

3:35 BETFAIR ASCOT CHASE (Grade 1) 2M 5F 58Y

Cue Card’s Gold Cup chances have been quickly relegated to an afterthought by many after (and even before) his King George defeat, but he is still one of the best chasers around, as he showed when running his rivals ragged in the Betfair Chase. If he’s back to that form, he should not be hard pressed to win this race again, although it is worth noting that Colin Tizzard believes he needs this run to ensure he’s spot on for Cheltenham, and there is a chance that he’ll be lacking sharpness to some degree. I can see him drifting considerably from an overnight price which is short as 4/11, and Taquin du Seuil is sure to go in the other direction, but I think the result is still very likely to go to the way of the favourite.

HAYDOCK SATURDAY

2:40 PERTEMPS NETWORK HANDICAP HURDLE 2M 6F 177Y

Several interesting runners here, with Chain Gang shortlisted after catching the eye in a qualifier at Punchestown last time, but Call To Order really stands out having proven himself over the Pertemps Final track and trip in December when beating For Good Measure by almost four lengths. He showed improved form to score there, benefiting from a better round of jumping and a step up to three miles, and might have won by much further in a truly-run contest. Rated just 127 still, he pretty much needs to win this if he’s to book his place in March, and is readily selected for all this looks a more competitive qualifier than most which have been run this winter.

3:15 BETFRED GRAND NATIONAL TRIAL HANDICAP CHASE (Grade 3) 3M 4F 97Y

Goodtoknow has had a couple of gruelling races to endure in recent weeks, but seems to be thriving, and handled deep ground well when beating Mountainous in an attritional race at Hereford last time, prior to which he was an excellent second to One For Arthur in the Classic Chase at Warwick, with blinkers deployed for the first time. Kerry Lee’s mudlark is unlikely to make the Grand National cut, but appeals as just the type to go well here, and it’s probably no coincidence that he runs here given he’s part-owned by Lord Daresbury whose family estate is a stone’s throw from the Haydock track.

RECOMMENDED

FLETCHER’S FLYER 1.50 Asot - 1pt win @ 11/2 (SkyBet, BetVictor, BetStars)

O’FAOLAINS BOY 2.25 Ascot - 2pts win @ 9/2 (Hills, BetVictor)

ORDO AB CHAO 3.00 Ascot - 1pt win @ 14/1 (BetVictor)

CALL TO ORDER 2.40 Haydock - 2pts win @ 7/2 (Betfair, Paddy Power)

GOODTOKNOW 3.15 Haydock - 1pt win @ 9/1 (Coral)