RACING is thankfully now back to normal service, with jump racing at Ayr and Ludlow, whilst there is all-weather racing at Wolverhampton and Kempton.

This Saturday Newbury has a stellar card with Native River and Clan Des Obeaux in the Denman Chase, whilst The Game Spirit Chase looks riveting at the entry stage, with Fox Norton, Un De Sceaux and the unlucky Waiting Patiently in the mix.

Up in the Cotswolds, Warwick features the Kingmaker Novices’ Chase and Kalashnikov looks sure to return to winning ways for Amy Murphy.

There will be numerous Cheltenham clues this weekend and yet plans for Royal Ascot are taking shape of course as I witnessed last night at The Royal Ascot Food & Drink Preview 2019. 

The Underground Cookery School was a great venue for a series of demos from a star studded cast of chefs for Royal Ascot 2019, with Raymond Blanc OBE, Toby Burrowes, Simon Rogan and Ollie Dabbous, who created a menu of delicious dishes.

The ever popular James Tanner had created some wonderful savoury canapés and Eric Lanlard produced an exquisite selection of sweet afternoon tea canapés.

Ascot’s Gemma Amor and Ben Dutson were there last night too and are fantastic chefs, who are delivering a wealth of creativity and experience year on year.

For an oenophile, the Tenuta Ammiraglia Vermentino and Castello Nipozzano Chianti Rufina Riserva from Frescobaldi were Group One.

Cheers!  

2.35 Ayr 3m Chase

GLITTERING LOVE (nap) rallied well here at the beginning of January to beat Present Flight in what looked a quality contest over today’s trip.

Glittering Love looks progressive and certainly appreciated the step up in trip last time out, which all looks favourable for following up with another success.

Unibet win 11/10 win

3.25 Kempton 1m 3f

GAWDAPALIN was last successful in July 2017 at Ascot and was a much better class than these at best and has hinted that he still retains his ability. Should strip fitter for two runs after a nearly 400 day absence and this course and distance winner can go close from the front.

Unibet each way 22/1

4.00 Kempton 7f

ENTHAAR a course and distance winner for Simon Crisford last October shaped really well on his first start for Stuart Williams when just touched off at Chelmsford last month. Looks sure to get his own way up front today and will take plenty of catching with the yard in cracking form too.

Unibet win 6/4

4.30 Kempton 2m

The four-year-old TIN FANDANGO, given the size of him, was always going to need a bit of time and a trip and the fact he’s already got a couple of placings to his name bodes well here. Tin Fandango will appreciate the step back up in trip and has each-way chances in an open contest for the inform Mark Usher yard.

The dual purpose PERCY PROSECCO is a hurdle and flat winner and is most definitely worth an each way bet as he steps up to this trip on the flat for the first time.

Unibet each-way Tin Fandango 14/1

Unibet each- way Percy Prosecco 11/2

7.15 Wolverhampton 1m ½f

ZORAVAR you could have called him the winner an awfully long way out when successful in a bottom grade race here last week but in truth this looks little better and as long as this doesn’t come too quickly, he can follow up under a penalty. Takes all the beating.

Unibet win 6/4