The weather is the one thing most punters have their eyes on for this weekend, as with rain and snow forecast, it could be a bit of a wet weekend. However, Ascot hopes to show off a 6 race card, with the last 4 races being screened live on Channel 4. They start at 12.55pm with a novice hurdle, but the race most will be interested in is the Long Walk hurdle at 2.30pm. It’s over 3 miles 1 furlong and with the going looking sure to be soft or worse, punters will be looking for runners with soft ground form that stay longer than the mother-in-law. Those that fit that criteria are the odds on favourite Big Bucks (unbeaten thus far) and Dynaste, who has shown form on heavy ground in France. The odds will be short on Big Bucks, but he should win and many will be hoping he keeps that record intact. Dynaste looks good for the forecast and may just make the favourite work a little harder than expected. Paul Nicholls has said that the favourite remains in top form, so who are we to doubt him. The Silver Cup at 3.05pm should be a good spectacle over fences, and with Paul Nicholls, Philip Hobbs, David Pipe and Nicky Henderson having runners, it appears that the big guns want the prize. Neptune Collonges is of interest from the Nicholls yard, as although he pulled up last time, he’s much better than that and could hit the frame at fair odds. Ascot is a right-handed, galloping, testing track, with stiff fences that ensure those taking part will need to stay the trip and jump well. Haydock holds a 6 race card on Saturday and another decent crowd is expected, despite the poor weather that’s expected. Buena Vista lines up in the 2.10pm race, and despite his age, he’ll be popular with many and could go well at a decent price. Across The Bay and Drill Sergeant are a couple of decent each way choices, but with many having chances, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see several of them running well and hitting the money. Fairyhouse (jumps), Lingfield (flat) and Newcastle make up the rest of Saturday’s action.

Scottish racegoers will be praying the weather relents a little, as it’s looking as though Carlisle will be making its 6 race card into a 4 race card as of the chase course being under water at the moment. That leaves just the 4 races and so a small crowd is expected – Livvy Inn could run well at a big price in the 3.00pm race. Lucinda Russell is no stranger to having winners at Carlisle and this one could go well at decent odds. Kempton holds an all weather card, so unless that gets waterlogged or frozen, it should get the go-ahead without much fuss. Richard Hannon brings out a few runners for this meeting and that always has to be taken note of, so his runners will be worth a second glance. Navan (jumps) is the only other meeting taking place on Sunday.