This weekend we have the best of both worlds to enjoy with Champions Day at Ascot, as the flat season starts to wind up, and the Showcase meeting at Cheltenham which sees the start of their new season on Friday.
Soft Falling Rain represents Mike de Kock and comes here with an impressive win in the Joel Stakes at Newmarket last time. That run was a trial for this race to see how the straight mile would suit and he has allayed any fears on that front.
I'm looking forward to seeing
Kingsbarns run again. You have to excuse his dismal effort in the Irish Champion Stakes on his reappearance and you would like to think something had transpired from that run or Aidan O'Brien wouldn't be running him again - let's see. This is a top-class mile contest and Dawn Approach is the highest rated but I'm going to go with Maxios to win this on suitable ground.
Fillies and Mares Stakes
The third Group 1 on the card is for Fillies and Mares over a mile and a half and it has attracted a very smart international entry. Oaks winner
Talent takes a drop back in trip having finished a gallant second in the Leger last time out. It was good to see her back in form and Saturday's ground should hold no fears.
Dalkala is yet another fancied French raider on the card for Alain de Royer Dupre. She won the Prix de l'Opera last time out by a narrow margin and won't mind the ground. It's interesting that she comes here having won that Group 1 last time out as connections achieved what was required for her career at stud last time out so they must feel she can acquit herself well.
The Lady Cecil-trained
Hot Snap is a half-sister to Midday so the step up to this 1m 4f shouldn't be a problem. It looks as if the extra distance will suit judging on her last couple of outings over 10 furlongs and as she is by Pivotal the soft ground shouldn't be a problem either.
Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore team up with
Waila who takes a step up in grade having won a Listed race at Newmarket last time out back in July. She wore a hood for the first time that day, but it has been left off here.
I think this is an incredibly competitive and classy contest and although the top two in the market are very classy performers, I'm going with Hot Snap to improve for the step up to this trip.
Long Distance Cup
Also on the card there are some real favourites running in the Long Distance Cup which sees the reappearance of Gold Cup winner
Estimate. The Queen's filly is already a winner on soft ground and is a big improving filly and I can't look past her in this. She is trained by the master and I'm sure there is plenty more to come from this four-year-old.
Eye of the Storm is the interesting runner for Aidan O'Brien and Billy Lee. The three-year-old stays well, and handles the ground and at the prices is my each way selection in the race. He looks a typical Ballydoyle Cup horse in the making and could be the each way bet in this race.
Harris Tweed has his ground too and is a smashing horse when conditions are right and he comes here with his confidence on a high. Despite that I'm going with Estimate to win again.
Cheltenham
Cheltenham's opening meeting of the 2013-14 jumps season starts on Friday and I like the look of a few runners from the Nigel Twiston-Davies stable as he has made his usual great start to the Autumn.
Pure Science could prove a surprise winner in the opening Novices' Hurdle. The stable won this race last year with a very talented horse in The New One and this horse can't be written off and at the prices is worth a punt.
Irish raider
Rebel Fitz is a shade of odds on in the Novices' Chase but should take all the beating having won his last five starts over fences. He jumps well, and this could be a path-finding mission before a winter break and returning for the festival in March.
Nigel Twiston-Davies'
According to Trev has Alan Kings'
Pantxoa to beat in the 3m ½ f Novices' Chase but I think he can as he seems to jump well and could be better than the bare form which has seen him win a couple of races at Southwell. Both protagonists have 8lbs penalties to carry.
Alex's Selections
Cheltenham, Friday
Pure Science in the Novices' Hurdle @ 4/1 with Sky Bet
Rebel Fitz in the Novices' Chase @ 10/11 with Sky Bet
According to Trev in the 3m ½ f Novices' Chase @ 9/2 with Sky Bet
Ascot
Farhh in the Champion Stakes @ 4/1 with Sky Bet
Maxios in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes @ 9/2 with Sky Bet
Hot Snap in the Fillies and Mares Stakes @ 7/1 with Sky Bet
Estimate in the Long Distance Cup @ 2/1 with Sky Bet
Eye of the Storm in the Long Distance Cup @ 8/1 with Sky Bet (each way)
