Each week, our betting offers expert, Del Pugh picks a trio of big races from the upcoming weekend meetings and brief looks at the big hitters and the current ante-post favourites in each. 

This weekend, we have top-class action from Ascot, which features the Long Walk Hurdle over 3m, the Howden Silver Cup Chase, again over 3m and the Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle over 1m 7f.

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 *Odds are correct at the time of publication and subject to change.  Start times are for UK.

The Long Walk Hurdle takes place over 3m, with last year's winner Crambo, hoping to return to winning form. However, it's an Olly Murphy-trained runner who heads the betting.

Strong Leader (2/1) won four of his opening five career starts but had to wait to add to those victories. A solid third in the Cleeve Hurdle was followed by winning the Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree back in April. On his seasonal return, he beat Pertemps Network Final winner Monmiral by 3.5 lengths in a Grade 2 at Newbury last month. Five of his six wins have come on good or good to soft ground, so conditions on Saturday are likely to suit.

The Wallpark is Gordon Elliott's sole entry for this contest and looks for a five-timer, having won his fourth race on the bounce at Cheltenham, winning the Pertemps' qualifier in October, beating Gowel Road by 2.5 lengths. The majority of his victories have come on good to yielding ground, so conditions underfoot should suit this recent JP McManus purchase, with Gordon Elliott confident of a strong performance.

Francois Doumen's Baracouda, won this race four times between 2000-2004

Shoot First (13/2) has had some backing at Bet365, shortening from 12/1. Another former Pertemps qualifier winner, the Charles Byrnes trained entry comes into the race off a victory at Haydock in the Grade 3 - Betfair Stayers' Hurdle, beating favourite One Big Bang by 2.75 lengths. It remains to be seen if he can repeat the feat in this contest, but ante-post backing makes an interesting choice for punters.

Behind these, last year's winner Crambo, is around 8/1, reflecting the fact he finished 40+ lengths adrift of the favourite in the Liverpool Hurdle in April, while Hiddenvalley Lake (8/1) who finished just 4.5 lengths behind in the same Liverpool Hurdle, offers Henry De Bromhead a genuine chance, despite his relative inexperience.

Kateira at 10/1 won a listed Mares' Hurdle at Kempton last month and with a 7lbs allowance could sneak into the places, while the rest are 12/1 bar.

Strong Leader looks the one to beat, but The Wallpark has more to come. One of these should take the spoils, with Hiddenvalley Lake worth an each-way chance.

The Howden Silver Cup Chase is another contest over 3m, with last year's winner, Victtorino looking to reclaim the top prize, having beaten Yeah Man by 0.75 lengths in 2023.

Since that win. Victtorino (5/2) has not been blessed with great form (74P - 3), although to be fair to the Venetia Williams-trained runner, that third was more impressive considering that it was his first run in 263 days against a competitive field, led by winner Kandoo Kid. With that run under his belt, further improvement is expected, with this 6-yo in with a great chance of equalling Door Latch and Regal Encore record of 2 victories.

Tony McCoy won this race three times during his career.

There are two main threats to the favourite, the first being The Changing Man (5/1). Although Joe Tizzard's runner has not won for over 2 years, where he has finished as the bridesmaid seven times, including last time out in a Grade 3 contest at Newcastle, his consistency will put him in with a chance, as will the expected good ground.

The second of the challenging pair is Trelawne (5/1), who won the Betfair Graduation Chase last month, when half a length clear of Iroko on soft ground at Haydock. He has won just shy of 3m previously at Uttoxeter, but there still is a question mark over his ability at this distance, especially against stronger opposition.

Behind these three, Doctor Ken (7/1) steps up to this level for the first time but did win over 2m 7f at Taunton back in March on good to soft ground, while a big drop in weights may prove him to be a handy option for punters. 

Heloy Delabarriere (also 7/1) comes across from France for his first foreign trip but will need heavy ground to capitalise on any chances he has for trainer Arnaud Chaille-Chaille.

The rest are 10/1 bar, with Threeunderthrufive looking to roll back the years to his days of winning Grade 2 contests.

Victtorino looked class on his return from such a long break and I only expect him to improve, while Doctor Ken looks worthy of a small each-way flutter.

The final featured race and last on the day's card at Ascot, is the Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle, ran over 1m 7f and featuring a field of 15 runners at the time of writing. 

This looks like a difficult contest for punters to navigate, with the betting headed by Be Aware (7/2). After a win on debut, the Dan Skelton runner has finished second in four straight races, with the last of those coming in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham last month, when half a length behind Burdett Road. He kept on well in that contest, so there is an argument for an extended trip, but a change in tactics and his raw ability should put him right in the mix.

Nicky Henderson is the most successful trainer in the race, with 5 wins.

Dysart Enos (4/1) offers the big threat according to the markets, having won six of seven races under rules and finishing third behind Be Aware in the Greatwood Hurdle, some 3 lengths back. A 3lbs swing in his favour may prove enough to beat his rival and Fergal O'Brien will be confident of his chances.

Kabral du Mathan (6/1) is perfect in three career starts, having been switched to Paul Nicholls' yard after a debut win in Clairefontaine in 2023. He looked to have more to come when taking the victory on his return at Kempton in a Class 3 contest but needs a stiffer test. it remains to be seen what he is capable of, but if he can improve his naive jumping, he should be in the hunt.

Secret Squirrel (7/1) steps up in class for this race, with his best result so far, a Class 4 victory at Taunton back in April of this year. A third last month in a Class 2 race was a solid performance, finishing 3.5 lengths behind Our Champ, but will need to improve to feature.

Favour and Fortune (9/1) and Salver (9/1) lead the remaining runners, with the rest 10/1 bar.

An intriguing contest, with Skyjack Hijack expected to dominate, but Clondaw General is a relative unknown quantity here and could surprise.

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