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THE weather is going to play a huge part in the action this weekend following the heavy rain all week. Today is forecast to be mainly dry but that will only serve to make the ground slightly harder to go through at both of the main meetings at Cheltenham and Doncaster, so do be aware of this.

Let’s start with Trials’ Day at the Prestbury Park track where sadly the main two races have only attracted modest fields of four runners each, with little strength in depth which is a disgrace when you realise the prize money on offer. 

The International Hurdle at 3.00 looks a match between Sir Gino and THE NEW LION, but hats off to connections of Nemean Lion and Brentford Hope for declaring their runners after they only ran a week ago, both fully deserve getting some prize money even if they only hack around and if something happens to the main pair, then they could even have a major day to remember.

I love Sir Gino and it is only by default that he will run here following the continued adventures of Constitution Hill. I didn’t think he was all that impressive in the Christmas Hurdle and this will tell us an awful lot more. 

Following a marvellous novice season last year, plenty was expected of The New Lion when he made his debut against his seniors in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle and to be fair he had every chance between the third and second last before crashing out at the penultimate obstacle.

He is a horse that doesn’t really impress during the run as he has to be niggled and roused along before hitting top gear. I actually thought he would have beaten Golden Ace that day and I suspect Harry Skelton will try and go for home some way out and make the most of his guaranteed stamina on the New Course, which should suit him so much better than the sharper old track.

The Cotswold Chase has an even worse entry and even if he is 80 per cent fit then GREY DAWNING (2.25) should win this and use it as the perfect stepping stone for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, for which he still remains one of the few pieces of value in that ante-post market.

He travelled so well through the race at Haydock Park and Dan has learnt from his overuse of him last year by giving the nine-year-old a much easier time this season.

If he does run below par then I suspect that in receipt of 6lbs, Spillane’s Tower is the one set to take advantage and is preferred to L’Homme Presse for the forecast mixer.

At least the Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle has plenty of strength in depth to it with impressive Kempton Park winner, Maestro Conti, taken on by the highly rated Minella Yoga and prolific winner One Horse Town.

I loved the way that the first named went through the race last time out, jumping beautifully throughout, but he has been well and truly found in the market place.

The value call here surely has to be TENTER LE TOUT (12.40). This son of No Risk At All has been hugely underestimated in the market place following a smooth opening win at Exeter and the taking a big step forward by landing the Finale Juvenile Hurdle by an ever widening seven lengths and not withstanding that the short priced favourite, Macktoad, ran well below par. This athletic sort skipped his hurdles and galloped all the way to the line and anything around the 10/1 mark makes him a solid each-way play in my book.

Elsewhere on the card, I fancy a massive run from BARLOVENTO in the Novices Chase at 12.05. Set to race off a mark of 125, I love the way he went about his business at Kempton Park and getting 12lbs from Califet En Vol could well be too much for the Nicky Henderson trained charge.

Jagwar could have done without the recent heavy rain at the Gloucestershire track and in any case, I have always thought he has been crying out for three miles and to a certain extent his jumping still leaves plenty to be desired. Further down the weights JAVERT ALLEN (1.15) could be the answer stepping up to two and a half miles which I have long thought he would relish.

The biggest field of the day is the 16-runner Cross Country Handicap Chase at 1.50. Winner here at the previous meeting, Final Orders is likely to start favourite but he has gone up fully 9lbs in the weights and I think that the French contingent could have his number this afternoon.

Iceo Madrik was third that day, beaten seven and a half lengths and is now 9lbs better off, while stable mate PLACENET back in fourth has a similar pull. This deeper ground will certainly suit the selection as he was outspeeded turning for home before running on up the final climb.

The Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster is the main attraction on the card and two progressive sorts in Deep Cave and GRAND GESTE (2.05) have dominated the market all through the week and look sure to start at the top of the betting.

The former is an out and out stayer and was so brave to get the better of the well handicapped Leave of Absence at Ascot and looks sure to adore this test of stamina as long as that contest hasn’t left its mark. However, his younger rival will have 10lbs less on his back and despite a hefty rise in the weights, the seven-year-old can build again on his very impressive display of jumping and galloping in the Tommy Whittle Chase at Haydock Park.

Elsewhere on the card, LAVIDA ADIVA (1.30) is the each-way call in the Yorkshire Rose Mares’ Hurdle. All that Ruth Jefferson’s charge does is stay and I expect Brian Hughes to turn this into a real stamina test by going for gold some time out and drawing the finish out of Jetara and Dream On Baby.