It’s a wonderful weekend of racing and top of the betting shopping list is the Ladbrokes Portland Handicap and following a wonderfully consistent season, Another Wise Kid can finally land the big prize that he so deserves.

Placed in three valuable events this season, he once again showed at Thirsk last time out when second to Eccleston that he retains his appetite for the game and with showers forecast his trap one draw may not be the disadvantage it would be on a faster surface.

There are several huge dangers in the 22 horse field notably Steps (needs the ground to ease considerably), Barnet Fair (needs it to stay dry), easy York winner George Dryden and the very nicely drawn Lucky Beggar.

The last named is one of the best handicapped horses in the race and it could well be worth having a saver on the Charlie Hills-trained runner, while the likes of B Fifty Two and Bogart at a price are also respected.

The big feature at Town Moor is the Ladbrokes St Leger and although I have lost pints of money opposing him all season I am going to continue that trend here by playing against Great Voltigeur winner Storm The Stars.

He will be the toughest of the tough if he manages to win this final classic of the current campaign, but he has been on the go for a long time and the vote goes to the French raider Vengeur Masque.

He has been crying out for a step up to this distance all season and the long home stretch will suit his style of racing perfectly.

Best of the Aidan O’Brien trio could be Bondi Beach after he ran an absolute cracker when second behind Storm The Stars and should arguably have been presented with that race in the steward’s room.

In the supporting races, the three-year-old Azraff should be backed off bottom weight in the mile handicap at 4.55, while the nursery which ends the meeting at 5.30 could offer a surprise in the form of Easter Mate.

Seven furlongs was patently too short for him last time out at Newmarket and if they go a good clip here the son of Acclamation can reverse that Headquarters’ form with top weight Montsarrat and also claim the scalp of Mansfield.

The ground looks sure to remain on the softish side at Chester with showers forecast overnight and that is sure to suit Gabrial’s Kaka in the 2.15.

I am desperate to back Richard Fahey’s charge, but he has a poor record at the track so Dream Walker is preferred.

Elsewhere, First Party can bounce back to winning form for Mark Johnston in the Musselburgh 5.25, while the outstanding wager at Bath could be Diamond Vine in the opener at 2.10 over a course and distance which suits.