Favourites.Net

The Welsh Open is underway at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff and a flat draw means that all 128 players are involved from round one. However, defending champion Ronnie O’Sullivan is seeking to lift the Ray Reardon trophy, as it’s now known, for a record-breaking fifth time and he looks a worthy favourite to do so. Having won a record seventh Masters Title at Alexandra Palace, ‘The Rocket’…

The Betfair Hurdle (3.35) at Newbury on Saturday should prove as informative as usual, although the progressive seven-year-old Clyne is potentially thrown in, if his most recent form can be taken at face value. Attempting to translate conditions race form back to handicaps is always dangerous, but Evan Williams’ charge was beaten just a length by the 163-rated The New One, in receipt of 8lb, in the Champion…

In the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Trial (2.40) at Musselburgh on Sunday, Peter The Mayo Man has made excellent progress this winter, winning all three starts with a minimum of fuss, and looks a worthy favourite. The Dylan Thomas gelding is clearly in his element on top of the ground so, with conditions once again in his favour, it will take a smart performance to lower his…

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…