The Cotswold Chase (2.15), run over 3 miles 1 furlong and 56 yards, has been a poor race for favourites, with no market leader successful in the last 10 years. However, not too many of them could be mentioned in the same breath as this year’s favourite, Thistlecrack, a facile winner of all four starts over fences, including the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day,…

The Lanzarote Hurdle (2.40) at Kempton on Saturday hasn’t been a bad race for favourites in recent years, with four, including one joint-favourite, successful since distance was increased to 2 miles 5 furlongs ten years ago. This year, Jonjo O’Neill’s unbeaten five-year-old Doesyourdogbite (6/1, in a place, but generally shorter) heads the market and looks an exciting prospect. The Notnowcato gelding has improved with each starts over obstacles…