The Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle is the finale on a cracking afternoon at Ascot and I fancy we will see a huge run from Pine Creek in that most competitive event at 3.30.

John Ferguson’s charge is already a course and distance winner having won off a mark of 130 and has since been racing in the highest class in similar events.

He could never get to the leaders in last year’s race behind Willow’s Saviour off 137 but conditions were atrocious that day and he gets into this renewal from a 1lb lower mark here.

There was certainly plenty to like about his comeback run in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham when he ran Garde La Victoire to seven-and-a-half lengths and is now a full 9lbs better off at the weights.

It is also worth bearing in mind that the winner had the run of the race that day and I shall be desperately disappointed if the selection cannot get a deal nearer.

The favourite is the unexposed Activial who will positively adore the testing conditions and has reportedly been laid out for this by trainer Harry Fry. There is little doubt he is probably much better than his current official rating.

Clondaw Warrior should also go well off his feather weight down at the bottom of the pile but the biggest danger to the selection could come from the Tony Martin-trained Pyromaniac.

This useful four-year-old ran a cracking warm-up for this event when staying on nicely at Cheltenham last time out behind Vyta Du Roc.

He was given a pretty sympathetic ride by Denis O’Regan in the closing stages that day and that kindness could well be repaid here. 

There is a disappointing field of just five for the Grade One JLT Long Walk Hurdle at 2.25 and I fancy we will see Medinas back up his Newbury success.

Okay so More of That needed the run at the Berkshire track and everything else fell into his lap but the Alan King charge adores this give in the ground and conditions will play to his strengths and not those of Zarkandar.

Sandwiched in between the two feature events is the valuable Mappin and Webb Silver Cup Handicap Chase over three miles and despite being 9lbs higher in the weights, Hennessy runner-up and last year’s winner Houblon Des Obeaux should run well.

However, he may just find the concession of 17lbs to the progressive The Young Master beyond him.

Neil Mulholland’s youngster “won” the Badger Ales at Wincanton but was then stripped of the prize when found to be ineligible to run there.

I think he was then wrongly put up in the ratings but should gain handsome compensation here for connections.

Elsewhere, it could be worth having a second look at Araldur in the staying handicap hurdle at Haydock (3.15), while the best all-weather chances at Lingfield Park could be held by Viewpoint (2.00) and Loving Your Work at an each-way price in the finale at 3.40.