James Stevens' Expert Preview and Tips Ahead Of Friday Racing on ITV4

What's the big story?

Windsor is back and there is £400,000 up for grabs as the Berkshire Winter Million takes on a new look. Two days of the original three-day Lingfield meeting have been moved, and now sandwich Ascot’s Clarence House card on Saturday to create a bonanza of top-class jump racing.

Friday action also includes a great card at Market Rasen, with the veterans final saved after the abandonments of Sandown two weeks ago and then Warwick last weekend.

Who wins the Fitzdares Sovereign Handicap Hurdle?

Keep it simple, Secret Squirrel. He would have got close in the Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle before he fell and the runner-up Kabral Du Mathan is much shorter here despite an 8lb hike in the weights. Secret Squirrel has won at Fontwell, Taunton and Kempton so might love this track.

Secret Squirrel15:35 Windsor

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Jky: Nico de Boinville Tnr: Hughie Morrison

And the Unibet Veterans' Handicap Chase at Market Rasen?

Eldorado Allen. Three miles on a sharp track and good to soft ground is exactly what he needs, and he brings a bit of class into this race. He runs off a chase mark of 149, his lowest since his 2021 Arkle second to Shishkin.

Eldorado Allen14:35 Market Rasen

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Jky: Brendan Powell Tnr: Joe Tizzard

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What's the bet of the day?

Dream Shadow in the Listed bumper (3.10) at Market Rasen. She looked very good when winning at Uttoxeter in October and Fergal O'Brien does very well in bumpers, including with Dysart Enos in this race in 2023. She looks exciting.

Dream Shadow15:10 Market Rasen

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Jky: Jonathan Burke Tnr: Fergal O'Brien

And lay of the day?

Hasthing in the 2m6f handicap chase (4.08) at Windsor. He is shorter than he should be because he won at the track and has a reputation but he is too inconsistent. Hugos New Horse is well handicapped and rates a much better bet.

Any clues for Cheltenham?

It'd be a shock if the Grade 2 Fitzdares Lightning Novices' Chase has any impact on Sir Gino's Arkle odds, but all four runners are pretty smart. Gidleigh Park is interesting, but two miles will probably be too short. If any of the five in the wide-open 3m novice hurdle (12.40) win well they could be Albert Bartlett-bound.

At Market Rasen, Fingle Bridge has an exciting profile and should take a step towards bigger targets in the Watch Unibet Racing Post Postcast Novices' Hurdle (12.15), while Dream Shadow will hopefully enter the picture for the mares' bumper at Aintree.

Read Friday's previews here:

Will Numitor's middle-distance veterans' series dominance continue? Key quotes for Market Rasen handicap chase

Is Caldwell Potter the one to beat in four-runner Grade 2 Fitzdares Lightning Novices' Chase?

'The form looks good and we're hopeful of a big run' - key quotes and analysis for competitive mares' handicap chase at Windsor

'I wouldn't like to split them' - Joe Tizzard has strong hand in Veterans' Final with Copperhead and Eldorado Allen

'He's looking good at home' - who fancies their chances in the feature £110,000 Sovereign Handicap Hurdle?

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