TV TIPS (SATURDAY)

13:15 ASCOT

With 17 runners set to go to post it's safe to say it'll be no easy task trying to decipher the winner of the first live ITV race this Saturday but hopefully a return to the smaller obstacles will do the trick for Dubrovnik Harry. The Harry Fry trained nine-year-old failed to deliver in a chase a few months back but prior to that has some solid hurdles form. Not the most prolific but if he's fit and ready to go could finish in the placings.

DUBROVNIK HARRY (E/W)

13:36 WINCANTON

The sole race shown live from Wincanton might only have the four runners but it's packed with talent. Sadly with so few runners we can't try and find an each-way alternative to the market leader and Burdett Road looks the obvious choice. He wasn't disgraced when third behind Constitution Hill and Lossiemouth in December and with this race an easier task he can return to winning ways.

Of the remainder it's former course and distance winner Brentford Hope who could follow the selection home.

BURDETT ROAD (WIN)

13:50 ASCOT

Both Jingko Blue and Peaky Boy have engagements at the festival next month but this might be the best opportunity they have to grab success. Although Lowry's Bar has a solid chance it's the aforementioned duo that I expect to see fighting out the finish with a slight preference for Nicky Henderson's charge. The six-year-old Jingko Blue has barely put a foot wrong and looks to make it three wins in a row. This is a tougher test but his upward trajectory shouldn't halt on Saturday.

JINGKO BLUE (WIN)

14:05 HAYDOCK

A veterans chase that looks very hard to decipher. A case could be made for most, if not all, of the field and with just the six runners there's only the two placings on offer. A tentative selection goes to Whisleinthedark who did well when filling the runners-up spot behind Le Milos last Saturday. A repeat of that effort could see him finish even closer here.

WHSITLEINTHEDARK (E/W)

14:25 ASCOT

Joyeux Machin was an interesting Irish recruit from trainer Dan Skelton and he showed pleasing progress when third a fortnight ago. Will appreciate this trip and if the trainer has found the key to success looks to be there or thereabouts come the finish line.

At a bigger price Samarrive could do far better than many expect. He finished third in this race last year when carry 7lbs more on his back. He's been disappointing as a chaser so a return to hurdling looks an eye-catching move from connections. Currently at double figure odds his price is too good to ignore.

JOYEUX MATIN (WIN)

SAMARRIVE (E/W)

14:40 HAYDOCK

Beauport had been campaigned as a staying chaser for the past few seasons so it was interesting to see him lineup in the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle last time out. Sent off at a big price he produced somewhat of a shock to finish third, just over a length behind the eventual winner. Although he's still got an entry in this years Grand National he could improve on his hurdling performance and in what looks an easier test looks the one to beat, ahead of last years race winner Botox Has.

One to keep a close eye on is Jonjo O'Neill's Indianna Dream who was a smart recruit from the yard of Willie Mullins. The form of his three runs prior to joining his current yard has worked out well and although he disappointed on his stable debut he could be seen to better effect now reverting to hurdling. Take note of any market support and could be an each-way contender who picks up the pieces if some of the main protagonists fail to deliver.

BEAUPORT (WIN)

15:00 ASCOT

The JP McManus owned Hasthing was tipped to do well at the festival but now he's been withdrawn from March's showpiece he'll be expected to pull out all the stops to win this. Two back to back victories has shown him to be in fine fettle and if he can cope with the additional weight looks to make it three wins on the bounce.

Victtorino is a former course and distance winner who deserves to be one of the betting favourites. He hadn't won for a while but finally returned to the winners enclosure last time out and looks the biggest threat to the selection.

HASTHING (WIN)

15:15 HAYDOCK

A few clues for this years Grand National as Irish raider Yeah Man aims to win the race for the second time after claiming the 2024 renewal. A consistent type who hails from a top yard but this extra wait might be enough to slow him down and see a few finish ahead of him this time around.

Val Dancer is aiming to win three races in a row and shouldn't be discounted but this looks a tougher test than their most recent successes.

Famous Bridge unfortunately unseated in this race last year but was travelling well up until that point. He acts well at this course and has another crack at this contest with less weight to carry. Nicky Richards knows what he's doing in races of this nature and he could have further yard success with this nine-year-old.

FAMOUS BRIDGE (E/W)

15:37 ASCOT

Corbetts Cross and L'Homme Presse are potential runners in this years Cheltenham Gold Cup and wouldn't be without a chance in the festival showpiece. With that in mind it's somewhat puzzling as to how hard a race they'll be given with Cheltenham on the horizon. As such the course specialist Pic D'Orhy looks the one to side with. A winner of this race last year he looks set to retain his crown.

PIC D'ORHY (WIN)

written by Rory Paddock