#PALMERS HILL

FAKIR D'OUDAIRES can land a big prize for Ireland in the Grade 1 Marsh Chase. Joseph O'Brien's chaser is as tough as they come and bounded clear by 11 lengths in this race 12 months ago. Returning in his usual consistent manner, JP McManus' seven-year-old recorded a 15-length score at Grade 2 level in November. There was no disgrace in finding…

With the weekend's Premier League schedule ravaged because of Covid-19 outbreaks at a number of clubs, the betting focus switches to an excellent card for the second day of the Christmas Racing Weekend meeting at Ascot. The feature race is the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle (2.25pm). A high-class field of eight goes to post despite the withdrawal…

This weekend sees lots of thrilling races at Ascot with some high class and top grade hurdling and chases. The huge anticipation for the feature race on Saturday with the Clarence House Chase is well and truly justified but the battles either side of it are also very promising for punters. We've seen plenty of big races of late produce surprising…