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Belami Des Pictons recorded a career best over 3 miles on heavy going at Warwick 17 days ago and, despite a 10lb rise in the weights, looks to have been found another decent opportunity in the Weatherbys Novices’ Chase (2.40) at Leicester on Tuesday. The French import made a mockery of his previous handicap mark, effortlessly drawing clear to beat Arctic Gold by 22 lengths, and can make…

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,…