There is plenty of cracking racing this afternoon with Ascot being the undoubted highlight and the big betting event of the day.

The seven furlong Victoria Cup could well go the way of Bertiewhittle.

David Barron’s charge is a seven furlong specialist and after being rated as high as three figures last year, his mark has now fallen to 94 with the added bonus of Rob Hornby taking an extra five pounds off his back.

There seems to be a good spread of pace right across the track in this 29 runner field so he should get the good tow into the race that he needs and if the seven-year-old gets the breaks in the closing stages, I fancy that he will hit the frame at the very least in this valuable contest.

Of course in such a huge field there are more than a handful of dangers including the in-form all-weather hero Speculative Bid, course and distance winners Heaven’s Guest and Redvers, Baraweez from the red hot Brian Ellison yard and the lightly raced Patentar.

Of the really big outsiders, old Hawkeyethenoo could get close to the front four now that he is down to 93, less his rider’s 7lbs claim, while I wouldn’t put anyone off Zarwaan as the Ed Dunlop-trained runner returns to his optimum trip here.

The afternoon kicks off with a 0-95 mile and a half handicap at 2.00 and I will be having an each-way wager on Penhill.

Luca Cumani’s charge looked a smart horse in the making at the height of 2014 but his form rather tailed off at the backend.

That has resulted in a drop in the ratings from 89 to 86 and he could have more improvement to come this season.

Later on, the competitive six furlong handicap at 4.55 could go the way of top weight Fyrecracker, desperately disappointing on his final start last year at Newmarket, but based on his previous win here the son of Kheleyf could be well weighted off just 80.

Over at Haydock the Swinton Hurdle (3.25) looks as tough as ever as it should be for the prize money on offer and Handiwork could be the call for the shrewd Steve Gollings.

This lightly raced five-year-old has run well over course and distance before and if he can step up again on his never nearer fourth to Cheltenian in the Scottish Champion Hurdle then I think he can reverse the form with that winner.

Edeymi has leading claims for the shrewd Tony Martin in the opener at 1.45, while over at Lingfield the Classic Trials can go to Toujours L’amour (2.20) and Christophermarlowe (2.55).

In the evening take a second look at Go Go Green in the 6.40 and Light of Asia (7.10) at Thirsk.