Deja vu for Skelton team as Greatwood winner West Cork catches imagination

Saturday's Betfair Exchange Trophy (3.35), then known as The Ladbroke when Willow's Saviour struck in 2013, was the first big win of Dan Skelton's training career and he could be in the money again at Ascot with West Cork - if the support for him is anything to go by.

Skelton, whose brother Harry will ride, produced a sublime performance when preparing the seven-year-old to win the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham last month after 631 days off.

Mike And Eileen Newbould's gelding races off a 7lb higher mark on Saturday, but seems popular with punters and is as short as 4-1, although 5-1 is still generally available.

Those odds make him the second favourite for the race behind No Ordinary Joe, who was third in the Greatwood and seems a solid market leader for Nicky Henderson and JP McManus, whose Jonbon was so impressive at Ascot on Friday.

Another contender is Samarrive, although confidence in him might not be so strong, however, as he was available at 11-2 on Friday, but is as big as 17-2.

The Betfair Exchange Trophy will not now include Luttrell Lad, who is lame and has been withdrawn, while Mack The Man (ground) is also out.

Ascot's feature on Saturday is the Grade 1 Howden Long Walk Hurdle (2.25) and Thyme Hill, second in the race last year, is the 9-4 favourite with the mercurial Champ tightening into 7-2 for the Henderson-McManus axis.

Going

Ascot good to soft, soft in places
Haydock soft, heavy in places (chase), soft (hurdle)
Newcastle good, good to soft in places
Navan good to yielding
Lingfield standard
Wolverhampton standard

Notable non-runners

Ascot
1.50 8 Slate House, 10 Golden Whisky
2.25 1 Buzz
3.35 12 Luttrell Lad, 14 Mack The Man

Haydock
12.55 7 Sashenka
1.30 7 Le Coeur Net

Saturday's race previews:

1.50 Ascot: has the handicapper given 'frustrating' Palmers Hill a winning chance?

2.05 Haydock: 'I don't know how good he is' – Oliver Sherwood in the dark over Little Awkward

2.25 Ascot: trainer insight on Thyme Hill, Paisley Park, Ronald Pump and more

2.40 Haydock: 'Unfortunate' Ladbrokes Trophy faller Remastered gets shot at redemption

3.00 Ascot: 'He comes alive here' – veteran Regal Encore back for more at favourite track

3.35 Ascot: 'He's got a real chance' - analysis and key quotes for valuable handicap hurdle

Navan: Champion Bumper favourite American Mike bids to join illustrious roll of honour

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