Racing preview: Haydock and Musselburgh the highlights as Grand National nears

We’ve previewed the pick of the racing with tips and analysis.

The £75,000 Queen’s Cup (3.35pm) at Musselburgh is the highlight over a mile and five furlongs which features Nate The Great who scored on the All-Weather at Wolverhampton in February. Cardano also comes into the race on the back of two smart wins at Lingfield earlier this term. He now must transfer that form to turf, but is open to more improvement.

Trumpet Man has won three of his last four starts and will relish the return to turf along with Hochfeld who returns to action following a below par effort at Doncaster in October. He is interesting on the pick of his form, along with top-weight The Grand Visir who returns to Flat racing having finished fourth at Cheltenham in Graded company over hurdles in November.

Alright Sunshine boasts plenty of smart form in his back catalogue and reverts to the Flat having finished a distant sixth at Kelso in March. Themaxwecan is another name to note having finished second to the progressive Ocean Wind at Newmarket in September. The five-year-old has undergone wind surgery since that effort and is open to more improvement.

The £30,000 Scottish Sprint Cup (3.00pm) is another highlight at Musselburgh, featuring Tarboosh who boasts winning course form at the track and scored in Listed company at Doncaster in September. The veteran Caspian Prince is now a 12-year-old but remains in good form having run with credit in Meydan and also boasts winning course and distance form at the track along with Jabbarockie who goes well fresh.

Justanotherbottle shaped well on his comeback on the All-Weather when third at Wolverhampton and is also of interest along with Came From The Dark who will be partnered by Hollie Doyle.

The feature Jumps action comes at Haydock Park with the Challenger Staying Chase Series Final (2.40pm). Harry Skelton is chasing a first Jump Jockeys’ Championship and has a number of good rides including Debece in this extended three miles and one furlong event. The 10-year-old shaped with promise when second on his first start for Dan Skelton at Sandown. Others who warrant a mention include Checkitout who is top-weight following two easy wins for Nigel Twiston-Davies. Crossley Tender is another to note having finished in the placings on his last two starts.

Christian Williams is doubly represented with Strictlyadancer and Defuture Is Bright and the pair both look of interest, along with Sumkindofking who returned to form with victory at Taunton on his latest start.

Across the rest of the card, Small Present is unbeaten in his last two starts and the six-year-old is capable of further improvement in the Stayers Hurdle Series Final (3.15pm). Ashtown Lad is another of note for Dan Skelton if rediscovering his best form.

ITV Selections

1.50pm Musselburgh - Marshal Dan

2.05pm Haydock - Vision Du Puy

2.25pm Musselburgh - Naamoos

2.40pm Musselburgh - Debece

3.00pm Musselburgh - Tarboosh

3.15pm Haydock - Small Present

3.35pm Musselburgh - Nate The Great

Tips and analysis via BettingExpert