"Something for the Weekend, Sir?" 20th/21st Feb 2021

With the "Beast" having kindly fecked off back to the East, it looks like there should be a bonanza of top class racing on terrestrial TV this weekend with ITV planning to show 7 races on the main channel on Saturday with ITV4 showing 7 on Sunday. It will certainly be testing though, indeed Wincanton's chase course is currently giving a stick reading of 3.4, I can't remember having seen one that low before.

Saturday's headline fixture is Ascot with the Grade 1 Ascot Chase taking centre stage and course specialist Cyrname is currently favourite at around the 13/8 mark. He's an uneasy fav though, having fell in this last year and disappointing in the King George. Its about time the assessor had a look at his mark in my opinion for, imperious as he looked at Wetherby, he hasn't looked anything like a 172 animal since beating Altior and I think he looks vulnerable here. I'd love to see Lostintranslation show something here and maybe a first visit to Ascot might perk him up (although he is more likely to head to Newbury on Sunday). Master Tommytucker looks like a ride you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy but certainly has an engine and there is also last year's surprise winner Riders On The Storm and long-term absentee Terrefort to consider but overall it is a shade disappointing for a Grade 1 and perhaps just too close to Cheltenham? Coverage from Ascot starts with the Reynoldstown Chase (how I remember Invictus beating Bobs Worth and Silviniaco Conti in this in 2012 - unfortunately injury limited him to just 1 more run) and this looks a wide open affair. If The Cap Fits couldn't get to Yala Enki last time but this should be more his level and, having won twice around Ascot over hurdles, he can hopefully reverse Kempton running with The Big Breakaway. The Swinley Chase will be testing potential Grand National aspirations whilst L'Ami Serge could go very well in the handicap hurdle prior to the big one. Over at Haydock we have a real card for the stayers and ITV show the Grade 2 Rendelsham Hurdle (where several revert from chasing to hurdles) and the Grade 3 Grand National Trial where Alan King's Notachance will look to continue his progression. ITV also show the Kingwell Hurdle for Wincanton where one of my favourite horses in training, Song For Someone, will look to repeat last year's victory and is being back to do so as I write this. If it comes up testing I think he has a real shout in the Champion Hurdle and hopefully he can convince connections to be bold here.

An honourable mention to Gowran Park on Saturday which hosts the Grade 3 Red Mills Trial Hurdle (previous winners include Danoli, Theatreworld (twice), Hardy Eustace, Newmill, Solwhit and Dunguib) with Willie Mullins looking to hold the strongest chances via Saldier, Bachasson and Concertista) but also an intersting entry for Tiger Roll. We also have the Grade 2 Red Mills Chase with any number of interesting entries at this stage including Samcro, Allaho and Bachasson).

On to Sunday and the rearranged Newbury "Super Saturday" card is covered on ITV4 together with 2 races from Market Rasen and the Boyne Hurdle from Navan. Newbury highlights with two Grade 2 chases plus the richest handicap hurdle in Britain, the Grade 3 Betfair Hurdle. Coverage from Newbury starts with the 3 mile handicap hurdle which sees one of the most aptly-named horses in training, Sizable Sam, trying to follow up his Warwick victory from a 7lbs higher mark. He is a really strapping sort who will murder fences one day but, remaining very unexposed, I would hope he can take the rise in class and weight in his stride. Next up are the 2 Grade 2 races. The Denman Chase looks a decent renewal with 2 of the top-rated chasers in Britain, Clan Des Obeaux and Lostintranslation, potentially facing off. Both will be looking to define "where next" with a good performance here. Nicky Henderson has pulled Altior from the Game Spirit and replaced him with Champ but I think Paul Nicholls might have the last laugh with Greaneteen in the absence of a true Grade 1 2-miler and the ground likely too testing for Sceau Royal.

The Betfair Hurdle is, as usual, ultra-competitive with any number of young, unexposed horses in the mix. I'd love to see For Pleasure blast off again and ride them all to sleep, this horse has been a real godsend this season and Newbury is left-handed so he should be OK.

Market Rasen's 2 races look OK and maybe something will come out of the Sidney Banks but the other race on Sunday which really holds Cheltenham interest is the Boyne Hurdle where we hopefully get to see Ronald Pump again after his fine second to Honeysuckle in the Hatton's Grace. Tiger Roll also entered here but all eyes will be on Ronald Pump and hopefully he can secure a trip to the Stayers Hurdle.