THE huge betting race of the day is the Victoria Cup over seven furlongs at Ascot with a massive field of 27 set to go to post at 4.00 and I fancy one of the bottom weights, NICHOLAS T could have a huge say in the outcome.

He was right out the back when turning for home last Saturday in the Thirsk Hunt Cup and absolutely motored down the home stretch to finish third.

Of course this is a much better contest with a lot more strength in depth, but he is only 2lbs higher here and with the likelihood of him getting a lovely tow through the race I can see him running a huge contest here at odds of around 50/1!

Of course there are dangers all over the place here and much will depend on how the draw works ou which at Ascot is to a large degree guesswork.

With some give in the ground, the lightly raced six-year-old REMARKABLE looks sure to go well for the red hot David O’Meara yard, while Kynren and Cape Byron have both been knocking on the door in this big field, valuable straight line handicaps for the past six months.

The penultimate race on the card at 5.10 is a relatively modest sprint handicap from a class viewpoint and the well handicapped nine-year-old Blaine would have a huge chance on some of his form from a year ago if back on song. However, I fancy an even bigger run from GEORGE DRYDEN (NAP)

His young rider is set to take a huge 7lbs off his back which means he will be running off a career low mark and although he is nowhere near as good as he was, he is still very capable at this level.

The four timer seeking Martineo along with the Ed Walker-trained Molls Memory look two other fascinating contenders for this cavalry charge.  

Elsewhere on the card have a second look at NOW CHILDREN off top weight in the opener at 1.15 and LABREGA (nb) in the fillies’ handicap at 3.25.

There is the tradtional mixed meeting at Haydock Park this afternoon with the Swinton Handicap Hurdle (3.10) the mainstay of the card. 

I fancy a huge run from the novice MISTER FISHER from the all-conquering Nicky Henderson yard. The fact that Haydock missed most of the heavy rain this week is a huge plus for this young horse and he may be able to give his more senior rivals a lesson here before going back into graded company later on in the year.

The second half of the card features some very interesting flat racing, none more so than the Listed Spring Trophy Stakes at 4.20.

Suedois may just about start favourite for this seven furlong event, but with the track having missed the bulk of the midweek rain and with a drying weather forecast this could well go to LARCHMONT LAD who looked more than a little unlucky last time out at Leicester and could use his potent turn of foot in the closing stages to claim his rivals close home.

The Stayers Handicap on the level at 2.35 looks wide open even though just the six are set to go to post and the nod goes to SHARJA SILK. 

To my eyes he simply didn’t get home last time out at Kempton Park on the Polytrack and this drop back to a mile and three quarters should prove right up his street.