Looking at today’s cards, the ground will ride very soft at Haydock and Chepstow.  Market Rasen will not be quite as testing.  At this Lincolnshire track, I thought Dan Skelton could have a decent day, he should win the first 2.00 with Peppy Le Pugh, and the last race with Aggy With It in the 5.15.  Let’s Get At It runs in the 4.10,  he has the useful claimer Fergus Gregory riding, who takes off a valuable 5lb.  He could have most to fear from Scented Lily.

At Haydock, Scorpion Sid 3.15 has a good chance to win again, he has been well backed from 6/4 last night, currently a shade of odds on.  He will handle the ground fine.  It looks quite open at Chepstow, Mercy Mercy Me 4.00 has had wind surgery, if that has the desired effect he may be too good for Mcnamaras Band, who ran a good race last time when third at the track.

Looking ahead for the first colts classic of the flat season, the turf season starts on the 30th March, so not too far away.  The Qipco 2,000 Guineas on May 4th at Newmarket is always a good pointer for the rest of the season, as a rule it is the best trial for the Derby, which is in June.  Two horses I like at bigger odds each way are Persian King, he is around 14/1 with a few firms.  A winner on the track last year, when he beat Magna Grecia(won Group 1 next run). Trained by Andre Fabre, he has a live chance if he lines up.  The other  is Madhmoon currently around 20/1, he is unbeaten, trained in Ireland, he did little wrong last year.  I really liked the way he won his first two runs, he is unexposed, and his shrewd trainer, thinks he is a very good colt.  Obviously more will be revealed in the next few weeks.   I am assuming both of these may run in a trial, and then connections will decide if they will run in the big one, so a small ew now is not a bad bet.