Buzz big drifter as Irish raider backed into 9-1 (from 16) for Ascot finale

Recent ready course-and-distance winner Buzz has drifted markedly to 15-2 (from 5-1 joint favourite) for the concluding Betfair Exchange Trophy Handicap Hurdle at Ascot.

The Nicky Henderson-trained grey, who was as short as 3-1 midweek, won by seven lengths last month but is up 11lb and punters are keen to take on Nico de Boinville's mount who carries top weight.

Irish raider Belfast Banter is proving popular in opposition and has been supported into 9-1 (from 16-1 on Friday).

The Peter Fahey-trained five-year-old starts off in handicap company off a mark of 129 in Britain and landed a maiden hurdle at Galway on his penultimate start before finishing second at Punchestown.

Irish-trained runners have enjoyed success in high-profile handicaps in recent weeks, with The Shunter landing the Greatwood Hurdle and Chatham Street Lad running out an emphatic winner of the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup last week.

Market movers

11.50 Haydock Ebony Jewel 2-1 (from 100-30)
1.30 Haydock Ball D'Arc 6-1 (from 12)
1.50 Ascot Drumcliff 9-1 (from 11)
3.00 Ascot Quarenta 17-2 (from 13-2)
3.15 Haydock Clyne 7-1 (from 9)
3.35 Ascot Buzz 15-2 (from 5), Belfast Banter 9-1 (from 16)

Racing fans will have to wait a little longer for the return of popular veteran Thistlecrack after Colin Tizzard's stable stalwart was declared a non-runner in the Porsche Long Walk Hurdle earlier on the card due to lameness.

The 12-year-old, owned by John and Heather Snook, was set to have his first start since finishing second in the Ladbrokes Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury in November last year.

Thistlecrack won the Long Walk Hurdle back in 2015 – one of five top-level victories to his name – and was a 25-1 shot.

Saturday cards

The Ronan McNally-trained The Jam Man is another Long Walk Hurdle absentee, having been taken out due to travel on Friday evening.

The going at Ascot on Saturday morning eased to heavy (from soft, heavy in places) following 7mm of rain since racing on Friday and the Met Office predicts some showers this afternoon.

The course has been hit by 23mm of rain this week with 6mm on Wednesday in the lead up to the two-day meeting.

The hurdle course rail has been moved back to its innermost position after Friday’s racing to provide some fresh ground, while the rail on the chase course is positioned five yards out around each bend.

Clerk of the course Chris Stickels said at 7.30am: "The rain has cleared now and we're expecting to get the occasional shower through the day.

"We've had almost 4mm of rain since racing yesterday so it's now heavy ground and jockeys felt it rode as described on Friday.

"The ground will be a little bit easier today but it's not extreme ground. It's testing but I've known it a lot more testing than this."

Going details

Ascot (first race 12.40)
Going: Heavy (from soft, heavy in places; GoingStick 4.1 at 10am)
Key non-runners: 1.15 Commanche Red, 2.25 Thistlecrack, The Jam Man, 3.00 Enfant Roi

Haydock (11.50)
Going: Heavy (GoingStick 4.2 at 6.45am)
Key non-runners: 12.55 Coquelicot, Will Victory

Lingfield (aw, 11.45)
Going: Standard

Newcastle (12.00)
Going: Soft, heavy in places (from soft, GoingStick 4.6 at 8.30am)

Wolverhampton (aw, 4.00)
Going: Standard

The ground remains heavy at Haydock for the seven-race card that features a Listed mares' novice hurdle, in which Coquelicot is a non-runner due to a knocked joint, and the similarly Betfair-sponsored Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase.

It's a glorious morning at the Merseyside track with bright sunshine and blue skies and ground conditions are likely to be better than expected, albeit it's heavy and 4.2 on the GoingStick.

Clerk of the course Kirkland Tellwright: "We've been lucky as we've missed the majority of rain. It's going to be heavy, but Ascot has a lower GoingStick reading, and it's not going to be as bad as people anticipated."

Soft, heavy in places (from soft) is the going description for the jumps card at Newcastle, while it is standard at Lingfield this afternoon and Wolverhampton this evening on the all-weather.

All of Saturday's previews and analysis:

Heavyweights battle for staying supremacy in star-studded Long Walk Hurdle (Members' Club subscribers)

Why Long Walk is a far more complex puzzle than Newbury clash would make it seem (Members' Club subscribers)

'He's got an outstanding chance' – the Saturday Jury on the big-race action (Members' Club subscribers)

'It's not just a rematch' – Johnson and Lavelle wary of Long Walk Hurdle dangers

Caribean Boy and Itchy Feet go head-to-head in graduation chase cracker

Stats suggest quick return for well-regarded Saint Sonnet could be profitable

Venetia Williams' stable staff are off to the races – but as owners

'A real slog' will suit Hill Sixteen in competitive Tommy Whittle Chase

'He's favourite and he deserves to be' – Bridgwater has faith in The Conditional

'Backers of hype horse Buzz are advised to watch his in-running price'

One horse, one jockey, one trainer and one race to watch on Saturday

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