Watersmeet out to make a splash again in the West Midlands

Watersmeet is out to repeat his success of a year ago in the Betway Conditions Stakes (6.15) at Wolverhampton on Monday, the latest fast-track qualifier for the Betway All-Weather Marathon at Lingfield in April.

The consistent grey, trained by Mark Johnston, has been placed in the last two Good Friday finals and faces a rematch with the Charlie Appleby-trained Festival Of Ages, who finished two places ahead of him when he was fourth to Stargazer at Newcastle last time – both Alfredo and Golden Wolf also ran in that race and re-oppose here.

Prior, the eight-year-old had looked as good as ever when making all to defeat Higher Power by a length in a 2m handicap at Kempton, and all roads lead to Lingfield on April 19 for a race for which he is 7-1 with the sponsor.

Watch Watersmeet, Festival Of Ages, Alfredo and Golden Wolf all in action at Newcastle

Appleby landed the first running of this extended two-mile contest with Antiquarium in 2017 and is back for more with Festival Of Ages, who was finishing strongly at Gosforth Park last time.

Prior to that effort, the five-year-old had made a successful return from 16 months on the sidelines when winning a novice event over 1m2f at Kempton in November.

Golden Wolf made his debut for trainer Iain Jardine at Newcastle, and the five-year-old had previously shown a good level of form for Richard Hughes.

Mark Johnston: saddles Watersmeet at WolverhamptonCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Jardine said: "Golden Wolf has been working nicely and I think that he'll come on a bit for his first run for us. We're still getting to know the horse but this track should suit him better than Newcastle, when he was a little keen, and he heads to Wolverhampton in good order.

"He's a little wrong at the weights with some of the field but we feel that if he can find a bit of improvement from last time he'll run a big race. He's going the right way and I definitely feel he can win races for us."

The progressive Aircraft Carrier steps up to two miles for the first time and is on a hat-trick following handicap victories at Wolverhampton and Chelmsford last month.

The field is completed by My Boy Arch, who ran in the Champion Bumper at last year's Cheltenham Festival and scored impressively on his Flat debut at Nottingham in October.

Go Westie

Clondaw Westie is expected to be suited by a return to Fontwell, where he seeks to defy joint topweight in the 2m3½f Handicap Chase (3.25).

A reliable type trained by Lawney Hill, he has done most of his winning over fences at the West Sussex track and is on for a third victory after an encouraging comeback at Sandown last month.

The eight-year-old faces five rivals and Hill said: "This trip of nearly two and a half miles will be better for him than the two miles at Sandown, which was a bit on the short side.

"Ideally I'd have preferred softer ground or even heavy, but he goes there in great shape."

Eyes peeled at Punchestown

Maiden hurdles in Ireland at any time of year are worth keeping an eye on and the opener at Punchestown on Monday (12.40) is one such race.

Carlo Biraghi has his first start since running in the Irish Derby last summer, in which he finished tenth of 12 behind Latrobe.

Carlo Biraghi finished tenth behind Latrobe (pictured) in the Irish DerbyCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

The now-gelded son of Galileo continues to be part-owned by John and Sue Magnier, and runs for trainer Fozzy Stack.

Willie Mullins saddles three, with Ruby Walsh on Fenta Des Obeaux, who was favourite to make his first start in Ireland and over hurdles a winning one on New Year's Eve at the same course but fell at the first.

In-form Elliott

After sending out five winners over the weekend, Gordon Elliot is well represented at Punchestown, where his better chances include Dallas Des Pictons in the 2m4f maiden hurdle (1.40) and Black Tears, who makes her hurdling debut in the 2m4f mares' maiden (2.15).

Dallas Des Pictons finished second to City Island at Leopardstown last month and Elliott said: "Dallas Des Pictons ran very well and we think stepping up half a mile in trip will suit him well."

He added: "Black Tears showed good form in bumpers last season. She had a nasty gash which kept her from running until now. She should run well but whatever she does I'd expect her to come on a good bit for it."

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