There is some outstanding racing from Haydock and Ascot this afternoon and the big betting race of the day is undoubtedly the Betfred Grand National Trial (2.55) over a lung-bursting 3 miles 5 furlongs at the Lancashire track.  

Given a break of 50 days since his last run when he was a beaten favourite in the Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby I think that now is the time to catch Broadway Buffalo.

He was never really travelling at any stage in that race, but had previously hacked up in the Tommy Whittle Chase here at Haydock.

The rise in the weights is very fair and I have no doubt about the selection seeing out this extra yardage off his light weight.

The once smart Harry The Viking is a huge danger especially if the ground dries up a bit.

Now with Sandy Thomson, this ex-Paul Nicholls charge has plummeted down the weights since being placed in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and will feel like he’s carrying a feather on his back today.

Top weight Benvolio and former Welsh National winner Monbeg Dude are also respected in what looks a wide open contest.

The best bet of the afternoon could come at Lingfield Park where Don’t Call Me could win at a nice price in the class two event at 3.45.

Now an eight-year-old, he looked as good as ever on his comeback and is nicely drawn in stall two to get a good shot at the leaders turning for home.

Later on the card, Polar Kite  should take all the beating in the 4.15, while Barchan can complete a double in the 3.10.

There is a massive card on at Ascot and the feature Betfair Ascot Chase at 3.50 can go the way of the Alan King trained Balder Succes.

He looked simply awesome when trouncing his rivals at Kempton last time out and his superb jumping should put the novice Ptit Zig to the sword.

In fact a bigger danger could come from the complete outsider Theatre Guide who could be suited by the drop back to this intermediate distance.

Arpege D’alene can end the winning run-off the prolific Tea For Two in the opening Neptune Investment Novice Hurdle at 1.30.

The last named dotted up in the Lanzarote at Kempton Park but the Paul Nicholls’s trained charge has the better tactical speed for this small field.   

The big betting race on the card is the staying handicap chase at 2.40 and the progressive Clondaw Knight is beginning to fulfil his initial potential.

An easy winner at Wetherby last time out, the improving seven-year-old could still be on a very generous mark despite the rise in the weights and gets a confident vote to beat some exposed performers.