The Lowdown: going updates, news and tips for today's racing

Today's news

• GROUND UPDATE: Following a dry night, the going at Ascot has been updated to heavy, soft in places

• HEAVYWEIGHT CLASH: New two-mile prince Defi Du Seuil and old slugger Un De Sceaux are set to star in today's Matchbook Clarence House Chase at Ascot

• CHELTENHAM CLUES: Haydock's card is a fine supporting act to Ascot, and Champion Hurdle hope Pentland Hills puts his festival credentials on the line in the Unibet The New One Hurdle

• ROYAL WELCOME:Nicky Henderson has backed the idea of a five-day Cheltenham Festival, noting that the extra day worked for Royal Ascot

• GROUND FOR CONCERN: Rotten recent weather means conditions won't be easy today so keep an eye out for horses who love the mud

Key links

Today's racecards
Today's non-runners
Today's free racing tipsLatest free bets

Today's meetings

**STAR FIXTURE**
Ascot (first race 12.40)
The royal racecourse stages only two Grade 1 chases and one of them – the Clarence House (3.35) – tops today's bill. Lovable veteran Un De Sceaux is after his fourth win it in, but is up against Tingle Creek star Defi Du Seuil. Read the preview here.
Going Heavy, soft in places
SPOTLIGHT TIP: Nearly Perfect (1.15)

Lingfield (AW) (12.00)
Going Standard

Navan (12.45)
Going Soft to heavy, heavy in places

Haydock (12.55)
Going Heavy

Taunton (1.05)
Going Heavy

Chelmsford AW (4.45)
Going Standard

Key non-runners

Keep up to speed with today's non-runners and the latest changes with Raceday Live

Today's tips

Graeme Rodway's top tip

Song For Someone (2.25 Ascot)
Improving five-year-old who comes here having recorded back-to-back career-best RPRs and the form of his third at Sandown last time was franked when runner-up Protektorat won at Cheltenham on New Year's Day. The step up to 2m3½f promises to suit.

Live Tipster
Gavin Beech leads our team of experts providing live insight through the day on Raceday Live

Today's video

For the freshest betting advice, based on latest going and market conditions, don't miss the Live Tipster every afternoon. Just click Raceday Live at racingpost.com or the mobile app