Weekend ante-post look ahead to Cheltenham

Corbetts Cross looking for Ascot prize

The Betfair Ascot Chase sees Pic D'Orhy looking for successive wins as he renews hostilities with last year's runner-up L'Homme Presse. The latter is being touted as Britain's best hope in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and could enhance his credentials here. Paul Nicholls' charge seems unlikely to go near the Cotswolds, irrespective of what happens.

The fly in the ointment could be Corbetts Cross for Emmet Mullins. He was very impressive in the National Hunt Cup at Cheltenham last spring and could be a Gold Cup outsider. The King George didn't suit him last time, but even over 2m5f, Ascot should be much more to his pleasing.

If Mark Walsh steers him home in front, double-figure quotes for the Blue Riband could soon disappear.

Snowden aims for Victor Ludorum prize

Could we see a potential Triumph Hurdle contender in the Victor Ludorum Hurdle at Haydock?

Gary Moore has won the last three runnings of this race, most recently with Salver, who finished third in the Triumph Hurdle next time. Give It To Me OJ is the stable's sole representative on Saturday but doesn't hold a Cheltenham entry.

He takes on four rivals, with Marche D'Aligre, Gibbs Island and Lavender Hill Mob all out to enhance their various festival ambitions.

Lavender Hill Mob and Gibbs Island are smart Flat recruits to the hurdle sphere but French import Marche D'Aligre was an easy winner at Wetherby on jumping bow in November and then finished second to the useful Nietzsche Has in the Finale Hurdle at Chepstow over Christmas.

He's a massive price for the Triumph but could show some potential by scoring at Haydock.

Paddy puts his record on the line

Derryhassen Paddy is unbeaten in a three-race career for Lucinda Russell and is set to put that record on the line in the Grade 2 Albert Bartlett Prestige Novices' Hurdle at Haydock on Saturday afternoon.

A bumper winner at Ayr 12 months ago he has taken nicely to jumping hurdles, winning at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) in November and then last month at Windsor during their Berkshire Million meeting.

He stepped up to three miles in that contest and showed a really willing attitude to fend off Honky Tonk Highway in a duel after they had gone clear.

That is very solid form and if he can add this prize, the Albert Bartlett in the Cotswolds is the aim.

There is no outstanding candidate for the three-mile Grade 1 novice and, arguably, Derryhassen Paddy might already be plenty shorter if he were trained in Ireland.

Kim Bailey's Moon Rocket and Kepler's Law for Laura Morgan are sure to offer a solid challenge as this unbeaten novice seeks to put himself in the mix as a festival contender of real substance.

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