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IT’S a case of two different national hunt tracks with going descriptions which are miles apart sharing the limelight today. Ascot are expecting a bit more rain so the ground should be good to soft and possibly soft in places today, while Haydock Park could possibly be bottomless with the heavy rain yesterday and then light rain forecast this afternoon, which should result in a ground description of heavy all round.

Let’s start at the Berkshire track where those who supported Dysart Enos had their fingers burnt when she was beaten in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham. However, that day the mare was very free and fresh in the parade ring and was raced far too prominently under Jonathan Burke in the race itself.

My understanding is that they will try to plant her in midfield and give her much more of a chance of getting home in the Premier Handicap Hurdle at 3.35. Her cause looks sure to be helped with plenty of pace on up front with two front runners and any number of pressers and although she has gone up 4lbs from that run, she must have every chance.

However, I believe there are better treated horses in this field of 13 with Go Dante and more so with my selection SECRET SQUIRREL.

The first named was well behind in that Greatwood Hurdle but has a nice pull in the weights with the mare and Sean Bowen once again takes the ride, but the selection has no weight on his back and unlike many of his rivals here remains unexposed on only his seventh career start over hurdles. The more rain that falls for him the better his chance and the Hughie Morrison-trained charge has a 6lbs pull for being beaten just over three lengths and looking in need of the run last time out with Our Champ.

The Silver Cup Handicap Chase at 3.00 has attracted a disappointing field of just eight runners headed by top weight, off a mark of 155 Threeunderthrufive, winner over the course and distance off 152 in February and subsequently down the field in the Gold Cup at Sandown Park. He looks sure to go well despite his welter burden, but may not be able to give the weight away to Victtorino and the veteran TWO FOR GOLD.

The former jumped poorly when a fast finishing third in the Gold Cup at Newbury and is probably better off going this way around. The selection may well be into the veteran stage, but you have to be impressed by his opening salvo here when fourth behind Chianti Classico. He has traditionally needed his first start of the season and around a track he seems to excel at I think that the old boy is a cracking each-way play at around the 14/1 mark.

As far as the rest of the races in the card are concerned, I like the betting shape to the big race of the day, the Grade One Long Walk Hurdle at 2.25. Beauport is an interesting runner returning to hurdles and if there is a bit more rain than the forecast indicates then he could run well at an enormous price and is duly respected.

Strong Leader did well to beat a tight fit rival in Monmiral in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury and is probably the right favourite but it could be last year’s hero CRAMBO. This is almost certainly a better renewal than the one 12 months ago and if Fergal O’Brien has him ready to go he should prove the value play here, but I reiterate if I may that if the ground softens I will be having an each-way saver on Beauport.

Earlier on, JUST LUCKY SIVOLA (12.40) will relish the step up to three miles in the opening Novices Handicap Hurdle, while Grand National hope IROKO can get off the mark for the season in the Graduation Chase at 1.50.

Up at Haydock Park, each and every race is once again going to be a slog and that should suit CREDO down to the ground in the Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase at 2.05. He is way better off at the weights with likely favourite Famous Bridge on his runs here last season in both this race 12 months ago, and a class two handicap chase the time before. Add to the fact that Anthony Honeyball has booked conditional Chad Bament to take a whopping 10lbs of his back and the selection will only have 10-6 on his back which will be of huge benefit on this going.

Similarly, COVENTRY has no weight burden in the two-mile handicap hurdle at 2.40 and has to be of interest, while I shall also be having a second look at OUR SAM in the Merry Christmas Handicap Hurdle at the back end of the card at 3.15. The eight-year-old was a two lengths second in the race last year off a mark of 114 and gets a chance to race off the same mark here under the same partner in the very capable Charlotte Jones, and certainly won’t mind the conditions along with the likes of top weight Supremely West and recent winner Spike Jones.

However, the best bet on the card at the Merseyside track could well be FINDTHETIME (nap) in the two-mile Handicap Chase at 1.30. Rated as high as 123 last season, he is back down to 119 here and a clear round should suffice for the eight-year-old representing the Coltherd clan.

Away from the two main jump meetings I shall also be having a wager on the feature race of the season at Hereford, the Mares Handicap Chase (1.38). In a field of 13, Lady Balko has obvious claims with the red hot form of her yard as she seeks a hat-trick having won at Plumpton twice, and is set to run off the same mark.

She could well be the biggest danger to the very lightly raced REGATTA DE BLANC. The Paul Nicholls charge is set to have only her fifth chase start and warmed up for this with a cracking second behind Law of Supply at Ascot and will run off a 4lbs higher mark here.