There are some cracking jumps racing at Ascot and Haydock Park this afternoon and the pick of the bets could come in the main event, the Betfair Chase at 3.00 and the Jonjo O’Neill trained Taquin Du Seuil.

A winner at the Cheltenham Festival in March, I think this seven-year-old has been crying out for a step up in trip and I was wholly satisfied with his comeback run in the Charlie Hall Chase over what was purported to be over three miles, but has since been proven to be over 200 yards less.

So in hindsight it was no surprise that he was beaten for pace by the classy Menorah on ground that would have been a shade too quick.

With plenty of rain forecast at the Lancashire track on ground already described as soft he should certainly get his conditions here and with that run under his belt I fancy him to turn over last year’s first, second and third, namely Cue Card, Dynaste and Silviniaco Conti.

Cue Card had a nice warm up in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter and will most likely try and make all again, while Conti is another set to improve on his opening salvo when behind the selection at Wetherby especially as Paul Nicholls’s horses have all seemingly needed a run to put themselves right.

Harry Topper will love the ground, but he is a notoriously stuffy horse and will come on for the run, while the remainder of the nine-runner field will need to produce something out of the ordinary to be involved in the finish.

Jonjo’s Upswing should go well at an each-way price in the Fixed Brush Handicap Hurdle at 2.25 especially with a nice opening run at Aintree behind him which basically wasn’t the test of stamina he needed.

He could be worth an each-way saver bet behind my main selection Vieux Lion Rougue.

David Pipe has a cracking record in this race and the selection ran well in the Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle at Chepstow last month when second behind Shelford and looks ready for this step up to a mile.

He can make the most of the 9lbs he receives from the classy Huntingdon winner and top weight Volnay De Thaix.

At Ascot, the Amlin Chase at 2.05 looks a hugely open affair despite just the six runners set to go to post, but I fancy the progressive Fox Appeal to see off last year’s winner Al Ferof.

It will be a surprise if Faugheen is beaten in the Coral Hurdle at 2.40, but a better value wager could come in the form of Bellenos at 3.15.

Dan Skelton’s charge made too many mistakes on his seasonal debut here, but the softer ground should suit him much better.

Finally the evening card at Wolverhampton looks interesting and I shall be having two bets under the floodlights. 

The eight-year-old Noverre To Go looks handicapped to strike in the opener at 5.45, while Secret Asset can make up for an unlucky passage last time out by landing a double figure odds success in the 6.15.