The Real Whacker on track for Charlie Hall back-to-back

The Real Whacker is expected to put up a staunch defence of his crown in the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby on Saturday.

Although Patrick Neville's stable star has never quite reached the heights his connections would have dreamed of after he rounded off an unbeaten novice campaign over fences with a narrow victory over Gerri Colombe at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival, he has performed with credit in races like the Cotswold Chase and the King George and he was much too strong for hot favourite Bravemansgame in this race 12 months ago.

His first start of this season came at Perth, where he ran over hurdles for the first time in almost three years and there were positives to take from his performance in finishing second to Chasing Fire under the welter burden of 76kg.

While this weekend's task is far from straightforward, with likely favourite Protektorat, Pic d'Orhy, Djelo and Hewick all rated higher than him, three of those have not run since the spring whereas The Real Whacker's recent comeback run should leave him cherry-ripe for what is probably his Gold Cup.

Olly Murphy and Sean Bowen have started the jumps season proper in flying form and can bag another major prize with Strong Leader in the bet365 Hurdle.

The eight-year-old is capable of mixing it with the very best in the division at the height of his powers, as proved by victories in the Liverpool Hurdle and Long Distance Hurdle last year.

He appears to be at his best on flat tracks and a sound surface, both of which he will encounter in a Grade Two contest better known as the West Yorkshire Hurdle, so he looks well placed to make a successful reappearance.

Golden Ace looks a class apart in the bet365 Mares' Hurdle.

Although a shock and perhaps fortunate winner of last season's Champion Hurdle, Jeremy Scott's charge has proven her quality on several occasions and rounded off last season by chasing home multiple Grade One winner State Man in his own back yard at Punchestown.

She is well worth her rating of 152, which puts her well clear of her two rivals in this Listed event and she is difficult to oppose.

L'Eau du Sud can make a winning return in the Grundon Waste Management Handicap Chase at Ascot.

The seven-year-old was one of the top 3200m novices in Britain last season, winning his first four races over fences before finishing a close-up fourth in a thrilling renewal of the Arkle at Cheltenham.

He was probably feeling the effects of a long season when running a little below par at Aintree in April and it will be interesting to see how he fares as he makes his handicap debut on his return off a mark of 155.

L'Eau du Sud does have plenty of weight to carry, but Tristan Durrell's 3lb claim will aid his cause.

Henry de Bromhead struck gold at Cheltenham last weekend and takes aim at another prize on British soil with Le Coq Hardi, who should give a good account of himself in the Sodexo Live! Gold Cup Handicap Chase.

Although winless in five starts over fences to date, the six-year-old ran a fine race considering his inexperience to finish fourth in the Kerry National at Listowel last time out and that form looks strong, with the runner-up Three Card Brag striking gold at Cheltenham and the third placed French Dynamite subsequently going a couple of places better in the Munster National.

Le Coq Hardi competes off a 4lb higher mark at Ascot, but with 3lb claimer Mike O'Connor on his back should go well.

Liberty Lane is rated the best bet on the Flat at Newmarket.

Winner of the Cambridgeshire on the Rowley Mile last autumn, Karl Burke's five-year-old bagged a Listed prize at Goodwood earlier this season and ran respectably on his latest visit to Newmarket for the Group Three Darley Stakes.

Dropping back down to Listed class on a slightly easier surface, he can regain the winning thread. - Press Association

SELECTIONS:

ASCOT: Race 1 - 14.55 Akimos, Race 2 - 15.30 Old Gregorian, Race 3 - 16.05 L'Eau Du Sud, Race 4 - 16.35 Ice In The Veins, Race 5 - 17.10 Alexei, Race 6 - 17.45 The Changing Man, Race 7 - 18.20 Run Away Joe.

AYR: Race 1 - 14.48 Stride On, Race 2 - 15.23 Cowboy Cooper, Race 3 - 15.58 Lavida Adiva, Race 4 - 16.29 Grand Voyage, Race 5 - 17.04 Maple, Race 6 - 17.40 Surrey Belle, Race 7 - 18.15 Be The Difference.

DOWN ROYAL: Race 1 - 13.50 Mange Tout, Race 2 - 14.25 Kalypso'chance, Race 3 - 15.00 A Dream To Share, Race 4 - 15.35 Balko d'Ange, Race 5 - 16.10 Clonbury Bridge, Race 6 - 16.40 Envoi Allen, Race 7 - 17.15 Firefox, Race 8 - 17.50 With Nolimit.

NEWCASTLE: Race 1 - 17.35 Prince Achille, Race 2 - 18.10 Bloodsweatandtyres, Race 3 - 18.45 Bird Of War, Race 4 - 17.15 Macedonian, Race 5 - 19.45 Cressida Wildes, Race 6 - 20.15 Why Because, Race 7 - 20.45 Showtime Mahomes, Race 8 - 21.15 Jkr Cobbler.

NEWMARKET: Race 1 - 14.32 Hatour, Race 2 - 15.07 Aspiral, Race 3 - 15.42 Trio, Race 4 - 16.17 Grizedale, Race 5 - 16.50 May Blossom, Race 6 - 17.25 Stingray, Race 7 - 18.00 Vixey.

WETHERBY: Race 1 - 14.40 Cave Bridge, Race 2 - 15.15 Lightning Flash, Race 3 - 15.50 Golden Ace, Race 4 - 16.22 STRONG LEADER (NAP), Race 5 - 16.57 The Real Whacker, Race 6 - 17.30 Pure Gold, Race 7 - 18.05 Red Delta.