Channel 4 take their coverage to Wincanton this afternoon and we will be looking at their first televised race.
The continued rain at the Somerset course will steadily turn the ground to soft. Whilst many trainers have been waiting for ease in the ground, it may have eased too far for some.

2.05 Wincanton Badger Ales Trophy (Handicap Chase) (Listed Race)

Tom George has two entered: Forgotten Gold and A Good Skin. It is the latter that attracts my interest. A Good Skin ran a promising race on his reappearance at Cheltenham. He was keen early on in that race and was given an easy time after making a mistake two out.
The 6yo finished last season strongly and showed adaptability with April victories at both Ludlow in soft ground and then on good going at Cheltenham.
He strikes me as a horse with the potential to handle this step up in class and in a highly competitive affair I expect him to run well. Currently around 12/1.

Final day of the flat season today and one of my noted horses runs in the November Handicap. Barwick ran well at Ascot shortly after joining the Ian Williams yard. The noted horses shortlist has had plenty of good winners throughout the flat season, including both the English and Irish Derby winners plus big odds success at Royal Ascot. If Barwick gets his head in front today, he will be the biggest priced winner of them all.
The 2015/16 jumps shortlist started in good style last Saturday with a victory at Ascot. Get your free copy via: http://www.slh.co.uk/

Noted horses is the theme on both the flat and jumps. We have a number from both codes in evidence this afternoon and at Keeneland later.
My new jumps shortlist is now available on request. Just go to my website: www.slh.co.uk
In compiling the list I have focused on trainers able to place their horses adeptly, avoiding the obvious from the top level yards.

We will concentrate on one from the flat list this afternoon at Newmarket as they hold their final meeting of the 2015 season.

Newmarket 3.45 Ben Marshall Stakes (Listed Race)

Gm Hopkins continues to run excellent races, his second on latest start at in the valuable Balmoral Handicap at Ascot two weeks ago suggests he is still progressing. The ground today will be a little softer than that Ascot run, but that should not be a significant factor. Runs today a pound lighter than his victory in the Royal Hunt Cup in June.
Has past winning form at Newmarket, his last visit to the track produced a creditable sixth in The Cambridgeshire where he was hampered and could not reach the leaders.

A reproduction of the level of form shown at Ascot last time sets a decent standard.
I have him at 5/2 on my provisional tissue, which is currently the general price on offer with 11/4 in places.

We have a great weekend of racing. Day 2 of the Cheltenham showcase meeting provides three of the ten races on Channel 4 this afternoon. The cameras are also at Doncaster and Newbury from 1.50 through to the Racing Post Trophy at 3.45.
This morning I am going to look at the first televised race from Cheltenham.

2.10 Cheltenham winner.co.uk Handicap Chase (CLASS 2)
Wide open handicap with over half the field making seasonal reappearances. I will concentrate on the top two weighted: Next Sensation and Eastlake.
Following a breathing operation, Next Sensation made his first start of 2015 at the Cheltenham Festival a winning one by taking the Grand Annual. Always prominent he saw out the race strongly with Eastlake four lengths behind in second place. Twelve lengths had split them in the same race the previous year as Next Sensation finished fourth to Eastlake’s sixth.
The pair both then went to Aintree for their final outing of the season and both failed to see out their respective races.
They have taken a hike in the weights with Next Sensation up to 11-12, whilst Eastlake runs off 11-9, the same weight he carried to finish third in the 2013 Paddy Power before going on to win here at the December meeting.
Eastlake is of interest. In my opinion he was given too much to do at the festival and can be expected to go well today.
Very difficult to price but around 7/1 would be fair.

1.20 Ascot British Champions Sprint Stakes (Group 1)

Noted horse Twilight Son continues to progress and looks sure to go well in what will be his hardest task to date. Unbeaten in all five career starts he is partnered for the first time by Ryan Moore at the owners request. Conditions seem ideal.
His last run at Haydock was his first start this season away from handicaps. He narrowly triumphed over the fast finishing Strath Burn in a race where the 3y.o.’s dominated.

Strath Burn had the disadvantage of racing well away from his main rivals on that occasion. He has made good progression this season. Strath Burn has a similar chance to Twilight Son but is available at close to double the price.

3.05 Ascot Champion Stakes (Group 1)

Irish Derby winner Jack Hobbs deserves to be market leader, although at the general 11/8 on offer, I will not get involved.
A case can be made for at least five of his opponents and I have him at 9/4 on my provisional tissue.

Both Twilight Son and Jack Hobbs were on my early season noted horses list, which has provided plenty of good winners throughout the summer. I will be shortly be making my 2015/16 National Hunt noted horses shortlist available. If you would like a copy just send me an email or call my office on 0208 650 5721.

4.30 Chepstow totepool Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)

It is a day when we will see plenty of future pointers at both Newmarket and Chepstow.

This is the richest race on the Chepstow card this afternoon. It is a highly competitive event over 2m 3f with any amount of chances. My concentration is on two horses both from Devon based trainers.

Nick Williams trained Tea For Two is a horse that impressed last season before disappointing on his final start at the Cheltenham Festival when pulling up before the last in the Albert Bartlett.
The step up in grade, first time hood and longer trip are all factors that may have contributed to that poor performance.

He is certainly not a horse to give up on and he is expected to go well in a race that has been his early season target.

David Pipe guides The Liquidator back to the racecourse after a long absence. The 7yo is having his first start since the Punchestown Festival of 2014.
He is potentially well handicapped if retaining his ability and is greatly respected. Winner of the 2013 champion bumper at Punchestown and the Supreme trial at Cheltenham in November of the same year. His return is greatly anticipated.

A difficult race to price with total confidence as the majority of the field are making their seasonal reappearances, some of which have targets further down the line.
I have Tea For Two at 6/1 on my provisional tissue.
I haven’t priced The Liquidator-however if fit, well and fancied I would have him near the top of the market.

Around the start of the current season I compiled my early season noted horses shortlist.

Some like Golden Horn, Jack Hobbs and Time Test have hit the heights. Our winner last Saturday, Log Out Island, is on the shortlist. As is Crystal Zvezda who competes for the Dubai Pride Stakes at Newmarket this afternoon.

Like Log Out Island, Crystal Zvezda started the season brightly but has struggled since then. There are a lot of positives for today and she is expected to show her true ability.

We have had just three bets so far this week, producing two good winners including Barton Antix on Wednesday. The SP of 11/2 was a bit of value in a week where the bookmakers pricing has been very uncompetitive.

Presently we have a special introductory membership offer to Boxing Day. Just £195 will get you all my work.

To sign up, go to: http://www.slh.co.uk/index.php/intro-mem-boxing-day

Back tomorrow for our regular Saturday preview.

Four turf meetings this afternoon in Britain and nine races on Channel 4. Whilst there initially looks plenty to go at, trying to assess true value is difficult. It is a transitional period of the year with the flat in its final stages and the main jumps season just getting underway. Value is tight and caution is advised.
Two races to look at this afternoon:

3.00 Redcar Two-Year-Old Trophy (Listed Race)

Big field looking for a share of the £150,000 prize money. Most have plenty to find if either of the two form horses, Log Out Island or Mayfair Lady run their race.
Log Out Island was one of my early season noted horses and is preferred here. Ran a solid 2nd in the Group 2 Mill Reef on latest start just two weeks ago.
This could be another big 2yo prize going to the Richard Hannon stable.
If you are looking to back anything each way here, some firms are going quarter odds a place.

3.20 Fontwell Rockinghorse Childrens Charity Handicap Hurdle (Class 2)

Difficult race to price confidently as horses make their seasonal debuts.
The well bred Istimraar is an ex-Godolphin horse who made little impact on the flat.
Has first start since moving from Philip Kirby to Dan Skelton last week. In past races he has been suited by wearing head gear, but they are dispensed with today.
After Eight Sivola can progress with a decent conditional jockey taking 5lb off. Signed off last season with a victory at Wincanton, defeating one of today’s rivals, Benbecula.
Promanco is the most interesting having been very impressive on latest start when winning easily at Wetherby.
Looks sure to be market leader and not a horse I would oppose lightly.
Provisionally 7/2 on my early tissue.