Conditions ease at Wetherby and Ascot as rain hits parts of Britain

The going at Wetherby has eased to good to soft (from good to soft, good in places) ahead of the two feature Grade 2 contests, the bet365 Hurdle (2.30) and the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase (3.05)

Early rain expected to hit Wetherby for Saturday's seven-race card was delayed, despite early forecasts suggesting rain would arrive by 8am, but the going change came before midday.

Conditions have also softened at Ascot, which hosts the feature Bateaux London Gold Cup Handicap Chase (3.20), with the going now soft, good to soft in places (from good to soft).

In Ireland, 2mm of overnight rain has softened the ground at Down Royal, with the hurdles course now soft, heavy in places while the chase course is soft.

Saturday is expected to remain dry at the course with a small chance of showers as racing gets underway at 1.05 ahead of the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Champion Chase (2.50)

Sojourn backed for Ascot feature

Anthony Honeyball, who claimed a spectacular treble at this Ascot meeting last year, may be in line for more success after punters threw their support behind Sojourn's attempt to land the trainer back-to-back wins in the Bateaux London Gold Cup Handicap Chase (3.20).

Sojourn moved into as short as 11-2 (from 7) with bookmakers to follow up on Honeyball's victory with Regal Encore in the 3m contest 12 months ago, challenging the drifting favourite Vinndication (7-2) in the market.

The eight-year-old is one of two runners for Honeyball in the feature race at Ascot alongside Regal Encore (14-1), who seeks to become only the third horse in a quarter of a century to win a Graded race in Britain aged 13.

After enjoying three winners at the meeting a year ago, the Dorset-based trainer now fields five runners on the card on Saturday, with Kid Commando seeking to get the trainer off to a flying start in the Ascot Underwriting Chase (1.35).

Shan Blue: well fancied to challenge favourite Cyrname in the Charlie Hall ChaseCredit: Edward Whitaker

At Wetherby, Shan Blue received early market support in his bid to give Dan Skelton a first success in the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase (3.05) against favourite and defending champion Cyrname.

The seven-year-old was backed into 11-4 second favourite (from 7-2) as he steps out of novice company for the first time under Harry Skelton for the Grade 2 race.

Winner of the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices' Chase last December, Shan Blue won both his starts over three miles but was a distant second over 3m1f at Aintree in April.

However, Cyrname has drifted to 7-4 (from 11-8) with bet365 to land back-to-back runnings of the Charlie Hall Chase despite being pulled up in his only two starts following the success. He similarly won this race on his return last season.

Market movers

Ascot
2.45 Frero Banbou 4-1 (from 5)
3.20 Sojourn 11-2 (from 7)

Down Royal
1.05 Inca Prince 9-2 (from 8)
2.15 Eskylane 3-1 (from 11-2)

Newmarket
12.40 Sea Formula 12-1 (from 14)
4.08 Star Of Orion 8-1 (from 16)

Wetherby
1.20 Palixandre 11-1 (from 18)
2.30 Proschema 11-1 (from 16)
3.05 Shan Blue 11-4 (from 7-2)
3.40 Rattle Owl 3-1 (from 11-2)

Frodon all set for Down Royal return

Frodon is primed for his first start in Ireland as the nine-year-old took an early morning stretch under Bryony Frost ahead of the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal (2.50).

The pair are set to take on Gold Cup winner Minella Indo and the progressive Galvin in the first Irish Grade 1 of the jumps season, as trainer Paul Nicholls aims for a fifth win in the race.

King George VI winner Frodon sits at 5-2 in the market behind favourite Minella Indo, who is as short at 11-10 to kickstart the new season with Grade 1 glory.

Non-runners

Ascot
5.05 1. Deal Em High, 3. Takoda, 4. Awaythelad

Down Royal
1.40 5. Happaugue, 6. Inspiteofourselves, 7. Khanmurjan, 8. Onlyhuman, 11. Andys Flame, 14. Luke Short, 22. Darkest Hour
2.15 8. Glorious Zoff, 14. Rich Belief
4.00 3. Majurca, 9. Sunrise Lady
4.35 1. Ballyferris, 7. Use Your Illusion

Musselburgh
1.00 1. Socialist Agenda
1.30 6. Graystown, 8. Roll Of Thunder
2.03 4. Wemyss Point

Newmarket
1.48 5. Lawful Command, 11. Caracristi
4.43 8. Lough Cutra

Wetherby
1.20 10. Brelan D'As, 11. Caboy

Saturday previews and analysis:

2.30 Wetherby: D-day for star hurdler Paisley Park with switch to fences under consideration

2.50 Down Royal: Elliott, Nicholls and De Bromhead on the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Champion Chase

3.05 Wetherby: The Cyrname conundrum: do you play or lay the Charlie Hall favourite?

3.20 Ascot: can classy Vinndication confirm himself a Graded performer in a handicap?

3.25 Down Royal: 'He's taking on the best horse ever to look through a bridle' – Envoi rivals

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