LAST WEEK it was Denman and this week it’s Kauto Star.  The Grade 1 Commercial First Ascot Chase will give last year’s Gold Cup winner a chance to knock off any rough edges before a repeat bid at this year’s Festival.  Although he won’t be one of my selections this week I would recommend you back him ante-post for the Gold Cup before Saturday’s race as I can’t imagine his price is going to get any bigger after this weekend.  Haydock also holds a very interesting card and one particularly interesting event is the Grade 2 Rendlesham Hurdle over three miles.  This race will surely give some intriguing clues to the Grade 1 Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham on the Thursday of the Festival.  The classiest horse in this field is the JP McManus owned Wichita Lineman.  Winner of the Brit Insurance Novices’ Hurdle at last years Festival he’s been running over trips that haven’t been a sufficient test of stamina and has put in decent performances.  His second place behind Blazing Bailey’s at Cheltenham last time out was good form and fourth placed Afsoun went out and won the Grade 2 Totepool Contenders Hurdle last week to frank the form.  The step up in trip and the proximity to the Festival should see this individual spot on and claim this prize.  There’s not a bad card put on by Lingfield this weekend and Silver Guest can claim the 6f maiden on the card.  A frustrating sort who might not always put his best foot forward, he’s officially rated 98 on the form he showed as a two-year-old on the turf in 2007.  He should be able to win this race even if he isn’t trying that hard but I wouldn’t recommend putting your housekeeping on him.

Selections – 1.05 Haydock, Wichita Lineman

                                                            2.15 Lingfield, 8 Silver Guest