IT IS a shame that the three feature races at Wetherby on Charlie Hall day have only attracted an entry of 14 runners, with the main event the best attended, with six set to go to post headed by last year’s winner The Real Whacker.

It is to most people’s amazement that 31mm has been poured onto the West Yorkshire track and that will play against the 2024 winner, and that, in tandem with his penalty, makes the Irish raider vulnerable in this Grade Two event.

Protektorat has a good record when fresh and his claims are clear to see, with Dan Skelton sure to have him ready to roll first time out. But at a slightly bigger price, I am more than happy to side with the remarkable HEWICK (2.57).

Winner of six of his 18 starts over fences, this evergreen 10-year-old had a lovely warm-up over hurdles at Thurles two weeks ago. And if the ground hasn’t been over-watered, I suspect he can outstay his rivals up the long home stretch.

Despite just the three entries for the Bet365 Mares Hurdle, it looks a high quality renewal, with the Champion Hurdle heroine Golden Ace set to take on Kateira and DYSART ENOS (1.50).

This could well turn out to be a cat and mouse affair, but in receipt of 6lbs from the Cheltenham winner, the Fergal O’Brien trained runner could well be the value call outsider of three — especially as she should be tight fit following runs on the level. 

There is every chance this two-mile event on good ground could turn into a test of speed. Whether Jonathan Burke rides a waiting race from the front or pounces from the back, there is little doubt that she has the best turn of speed and can make up for what was a moderate season in 2024/25 expected by her enthusiastic connections.

The Bet365 Hurdle over an extended three miles sees the upwardly mobile Potters Charm take on Strong Leader. The last named only had a light campaign in 2024/25, and on a sound surface, will prove plenty hard enough to beat. However, I am going to take a chance with TAKE NO CHANCES (2.22).

The Skelton representative receives the mare’s allowance here, and ran some fair races in defeat last season behind the likes of Lossiemouth and Blueking d’Oroux. I thought that the daughter of Milan shaped nicely in the Tote Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle at Chepstow, when just tapped for toe in sixth spot behind Rambo T. This step up to three miles on style of running and breeding looks perfect for her, and anything around the 5/1 mark looks an attractive betting proposition.

Of the other races at the A1 track, it may well be worth having a second glance at both NINTH LOCH (1.15) with the tongue tie applied for the first time and RED DELTA (4.05).

The last named was a smooth winner off 108 last time out at Sedgefield. And even though this is a deeper contest, the 5lbs claim of Charlie Maggs means that chestnut gelding will be able to run off the same rating here.

There is a cracking meeting with some excellent prizes up for grabs at Ascot, and the main betting event will be the Sodexo Live! Gold Cup Handicap Chase, a Premier handicap over an extended three miles at the Berkshire track.

Top weight and veteran performer All For Gold looks sure to run his race, but at 12 going on 13, he will find it pretty hard to give weight away all around in what looks a competitive renewal.

There are plenty of each-way players lower down the weights, including course and distance winner The Changing Man, who I think we have yet to see the best of — while Irish raider Le Coq Hardi and Bhaloo have further improvement in them.

However, I am going to go out on a limb here and side with the 25/1 shot COASTGUARD STATION (3.45). It has taken a long time for connections to realise that this nine-year-old needs a test of stamina, as it was only on his 19th chase start that they decided to run him over two-and-three-quarter miles. 

That day he travelled very strongly under Sean Bowen before being set alight between the final two fences and quickening clear. This faster likely pace should help him to jump better, and he may well be able to defy a handicap mark of 128 this afternoon.

Rated in the mid-80s on the level, INDEMNITY (3.10) has taken well to his new game of hurdling, rattling off wins off marks of 101, 108 and 115. Set to try and complete a fourth time off 121 here, his high cruising speed should be worth a ton in this better race. And he can defy the handicapper at the main expense of both the well handicapped Afadil and race-fit Dance and Glance.

Over at Down Royal, the remarkable Envoi Allen will bid to land a remarkable 10th Grade One event as he bids to defend his title in the BetVictor Champion Chase at 2.40. But his old legs may well get the better of him this afternoon. And he looks highly vulnerable to SPILLANE’S TOWER. 

If the latter can repeat his first-time effort in last year’s John Durkan Memorial at Punchestown, when he was just touched off by Fact To File by half a length, then I fancy the seven-year-old could prove too strong for his six rivals at around the 11/4 mark.

FIREFOX (3.15) can finally start to fulfil his early promise when he contests the Grade Two Killdress Plumbing Novice Chase. Spring ground has always suited him best, and he has a good record when fresh. 

The main danger to the Gordon Elliott charge could well come from Croke Park — already with a run under his belt, albeit it was a slightly disappointing one when a distant third behind Heart Wood in the Grade Three BetVictor Chase. To my eyes he didn’t quite see out three miles that afternoon and can bounce back to form here, granted anything like a clear round of fencing.

My final bet on the card will come in the form of BATTLE OF MIRBAT (2.10) in the staying handicap chase. Twice the selection has been outpaced when the pace has quickened up recently before staying on again late in the day. Still looking fairly well weighted off a rating of 110 he can finally land a third win at this discipline at the main expense of the nine-year-old Clonbury Bridge.

I have been waiting for the reappearance of the giant WALKING ON A DREAM (Ayr, 3.40). This scopey individual was an above average novice hurdler last year with a win at this West of Scotland track before being over the top when contesting the Grade Two Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle at Haydock Park.

However, chasing was always going to be his game, and Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore’s charge has reportedly been schooling well at home. And as he grows into his immense frame, I can see him making big strides over the larger obstacles.

But the best wager at the track could well come in the form of DIDNTGOTWENTY (4.15) who will carry a feather weight in the three-mile handicap hurdle. He ran as if he needed the run at Hexham last time out, following a 209-day break, and should be ready to strike here with Sean Quinlan once again in the saddle.

On the level at Newmarket, I shall be having a big play on PINTARA (1.07) in the Listed Montrose Fillies’ Stakes. Once raced this season when an easy winner of a novice event at Salisbury over a mile, this daughter of Pinatubo can take another step forward here and can see off Godolphin’s Morning Rose and Karl Burke’s Aspiral.

Of the handicaps on the card at Headquarters, PRINCIPALITY (2.17) could be the each-way call in the class three, one mile handicap, while I also think it would be worth having a second look at LORD ROXBY off top weight in the 2.50. 

Back down to a mark only a pound higher than his last success and returning to six furlongs, the three-year-old can give the 5lbs away to the well handicapped Dashing Dick.