Pricewise followers get behind new Grand National Trial favourite

Pricewise followers believe The Galloping Bear is set to give trainer Ben Clarke the biggest success of his career in the William Hill Grand National Trial (2.40), and the nine-year-old has replacing last season’s Welsh National hero Secret Reprieve as favourite with most firms.

Having started the day as big as 7-1, The Galloping Bear is 4-1 across the board, while Secret Reprieve has moved in the opposite direction from 7-2 out to 9-2.

Members can read Pricewise Tom Segal's Saturday selections

Also popular in Haydock’s feature is Enqarde, who landed the Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase at Haydock last time and he has been supported to score once again at the Merseyside track.

The eight-year-old finished fifth in the race last year but his easy ten-length win last time has caught the eye of backers and is now a general 11-1 (from 14) to give in-form jockey Charlie Hammond another big-race success this season.

The arrival of rain and possibly snow is the latest weather challenge at Haydock, where officials were able to give an early go-ahead for racing after Friday's storms but are braced for another weather system coming in between 10am and 2pm.

Clerk of the course Kirkland Tellwright said: "We were forecast this rain and it might even turn to snow. Whatever it is doing, it should stop by two o'clock.

"We had 8mm yesterday and 3mm so far this morning. We had a bright start to the day, so we had a bit up our sleeve when we passed the inspection this morning.

Tellwright added: "We should be fine, providing it doesn't turn to snow and settle. Everyone knows what they're coming for and the hurdle course is not too bad. On the chase course, we're missing the second fence in the back straight."

Course specialist Regal Encore has been backed into as short as 9-1 (from 16) this morning to defy his advancing years and regain his Swinley Chase crown (2.25) as well as a remarkable fifth course-and-distance win at Ascot.

The evergreen 14-year-old has a fine Ascot record, having scooped this prize in 2018 as well as finishing runner-up last year, and has finished out of the frame just four times in 14 starts at the Berkshire track.

Punters have latched on to the popular Anthony Honeyball-trained star to provide an emotional victory, but he has a tough task to defeat Grade 1 winner and Ladbrokes Trophy second Fiddlerontheroof, who heads the market at 9-4.

Saturday's cards and betting

Saint Calvados has yet to win a Grade 1 but has cemented his position as 100-30 second favourite (from 4-1) in the day's feature, the Betfair Ascot Chase (3.38).

Market Movers

Ascot

2.25: Regal Encore 9-1 (from 16)
3.38: Saint Calvados 100-30 (from 4-1)

Haydock

2.40: The Galloping Bear 4-1f (from 7)
2.40: Enqarde 11-1 (from 14)
3.50: Crystal Glory 12-1 (from 16)

Notable non-runners

Ascot

2.25: Ask Me Early (running in first preference race, 4.33 Wincanton))
4.45: Marine Jag (Vets Cert)

Wincanton

1.38: 7. Think For A Minit (Self Cert)
2.48: 8. Captain Cuckoo (Self Cert)
3.58: 10. Ask The Doc (Self Cert)
4.33: 1. Sojourn (running in first preference race, 2.25 Ascot)

Full feast of classy action goes ahead as Wincanton and Haydock pass inspections

There will be a full book of cards on a terrific day of action in Britain and Ireland as Wincanton and Haydock overcame the effects of Storm Eunice and passed their morning inspections.

Wincanton had suffered badly in yesterday's storm, which included two fences being badly damaged from the severe gusts, and had planned to check conditions at 7.30am, but with damage repairs already well under way, the track was deemed fit for racing earlier than planned.

The Somerset track stages a seven-race card beginning at 1.38 and features the Grade 2 Kingwell Hurdle (3.20), in which last year's winner Goshen tackles top juvenile hurdler Adagio. The going is good to soft, soft in places on the chase course, and soft, good to soft in places on the hurdles track.

Wincanton Saturday card

Clerk of the course Daniel Cooper said: "Since the inspection was declared yesterday, nothing more has gone wrong, so we're now in damage repair and under way with that.

"There is a forecast of rain and wind for about three hours this morning until the first race, but that's pretty usual for winter racing and ordinarily we don't need to be concerned with that.

"It's to be decided if the two damaged fences will be omitted as we try to fix them. The fallen tree has been dragged out of the way and the furlongs of rail and fence that have fallen off can quickly be put up."

Happy Haydock given the all-clear

Haydock's card had been under threat due to rain and possible effects from Storm Eunice overnight, but officials at the track were able to give the go-ahead before the planned inspection at 8am.

The going at the Merseyside track is heavy and features the William Hill Grand National Trial (2.40) alongside two Grade 2s on a seven-race card.

Haydock Saturday card

Clerk of the course Kirkland Tellwright said: "The track is fit to race. There is rain coming in the middle of the day from 10am until 2pm, but that's it. It's as still as you like with no wind.

"There's a load of rail down but we'll get round to putting that up, no trouble – it's not as bad as the O2!"

Ascot's top-class fixture featuring the Grade 1 Betfair Ascot Chase has suffered no problems from the storm, with the going soft on both tracks for their seven-race card.

Saturday's free tipping:

ITV Racing tips: one key runner from each of the seven races on ITV on Saturday

Graeme Rodway's banker at Ascot on Saturday

The Punt Daily: Robbie Wilders' three Saturday plays at Haydock and Ascot

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