Robin can wing in for Nicky

HAYDOCK and Aintree combine to provide some of the best racing of the National Hunt season this weekend.

The North-West Masters features two days of stunning action, starting at Haydock tomorrow when Kauto Star and Binocular are the stars of the show.

Kauto Star looks a penalty kick to beat Exotic Dancer and some decent handicappers in the Betfair Chase, while Binocular will start at prohibitive odds to enhance his Champion Hurdle claims in the Betfair Hurdle.

We won’t get rich backing either of those, so my idea of a value bet at Haydock is Copsale Lad, each-way, in the £100,000 Betfair “Fixed Brush” Handicap Hurdle.

Nicky Henderson’s gelding is in the veteran stage, but ran a blinder on unsuitable soft ground to be fourth to Fair Along at Cheltenham last week.

He is much more effective on the faster surface he faces tomorrow, has steeplechasing experience which will stand him in good stead over the brush hurdles and comes from a yard in sparkling form.

Henderson also provides my idea of the day’s best bet at Ascot, where his Petit Robin can land the Carey Group Handicap Chase.

This French import, successful over hurdles last season, had previously won two races over the bigger obstacles at Pau and is reported to be a slick jumper who could be thrown in off a mark of only 132.

Petit Robin has an entry at Haydock, but the Ascot race is his preferred target and he should be able to make the most of the weight he receives from the likes of Andreas, Lord Henry and Mahogany Blaze.

Sunday’s racing at Aintree features two races over the Grand National fences, my fancies being Gwanako (totesuper7 Grand Sefton Chase) and Tom Sayers, each way (totesport.com Becher Chase).