Each week, our betting offers expert, Del Pugh picks several big races from the upcoming weekend meetings and briefly looks at the big hitters and the current ante-post favourites, before declarations.

This weekend, we have races from Doncaster, Kelso and Newbury, featuring the Grimthorpe Handicap Chase, the Morebattle Hurdle and Greatwood Gold Cup contests.

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

The Grimthorpe Chase takes place over a 3m 2f trip at Doncaster on Saturday, with 17 runners entered before full declarations. 2023 winner Moroder takes part but is not expected to be in the hunt for the victory.

Some Scope (4/1) goes in as favourite, with the Richard Hobson-trained runner returning from wind surgery back in November. A victory in a Grade 3 race at Wetherby on Boxing Day enhances the form going into this contest. He was pulled up at Cheltenham last time out, but that was over a sharper 2m 4f trip, with this much more suited. Big opportunity to take the spoils here, especially at 10st 9lbs under the handicapper.

Does He Know won the race in 2024

There is a sextet of runners all vying to beat the favourite, including Hymac (5/1) who has a couple of Class 3 victories and placed third in a Grade 3 at Cheltenham back in November, while White Rhino (5/1), a winner of a Class 2 contest back in 2023, has started to find old form, winning back-to-back Class 3 contests, before unseating his rider last time out, but may struggle with 11st 9lbs on his back.

Behind these, Surrey Quest (13/2) placed second in successive Grade 3's in 2024 and placed 3rd in a 3m 7f contest at Musselburgh last time out, while Weveallbeencaught (13/2) will be looking to build upon the debut win under Nigel Twiston-Davies at this very course, last time out, beating his nearest rival by 9.5 lengths.

The Kniphand and Twig (both 8/1) will both be looking for improvements, while Grand Sefton winner, King Turgeon (10/1) also needs to pick up some form after a couple of disappointing runs.

This is a hugely open contest, with Some Scope looking ideal in form and weight terms, however, Hymac has won at a higher level and Surrey Quest's staying power could also see them feature.

There are 23 entries for this Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso, which will eventually be whittled down to the permitted 18 runners on Saturday. Cracking Rhapsody will be looking to make it two wins in a row, although he faces a tough task this time. 

The first of three clear market leaders is Vischio (5/1), with the Emmet Mullins mare looking for a three-timer, having won on debut for her new trainer at Leopardstown in a Mares' Hurdle contest four weeks ago, easing to a 5-length victory ahead of Kimy. The handicapper has given her a minor advantage, ahead of the rest of the trio and should be at her best over this trip.

Cracking Rhapsody won last year's race by 4.5 lengths to Ginger Mail.

Favour And Fortune (6/1) is top-weight for this contest, with last year's Scottish Champion Hurdle winner dropping down in class having struggled in Grade 3 contests recently. Alan King's runner placed fourth last time out, but it is hoped this former Class 2 winner can find the winner's enclosure once again, but top weight makes this a tough one.

The final runner among this trio is Tellherthename (6/1). After a couple of Class 4 wins, he was switched to Jonjo O'Neill's yard and placed fourth of seven in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle back in November, finishing 14 lengths adrift of winner, Sir Gino. it remains to be seen what sort of work he has been doing since that race, but both bookmakers and connections are confident he can be in the mix for the victory on Saturday.

The rest are 10/1 bar, with last year's winner, Cracking Rhapsody leading the way, alongside Jurancon.

Clearly, a three-horse race, Vischio is in great form and has the backing of the handicapper too. Favour And Fortune arguably has the proven ability of all three and even with the weight disadvantage, I fancy them to show that past form here.

The Greatwood Gold Cup features a 21-runner field, which according to the current betting should be an open contest. Heltenham won the race last year, beating Kandoo Kid by 2-lengths.

Billytherealbigred (11/2) is the narrow favourite, with Oliver Greenall's runner winning five of ten starts and placing a creditable second in a Class 2 - Novices Chase at Cheltenham in January, 2.5 lengths adrift of winner, Jagwar. He enjoys the 2m 4f trip and with the handicapper being particularly kind, there is a big opportunity.

Paul Nicholls has won nine of the twenty editions of this race.

Kandoo Kid (6/1) will be looking to go one better than last year's edition and comes into this contest off the back of a Grade 3 victory in the Coral Gold Cup here in November, over 3m 2f. Interestingly, he is entered into the Grand National in April, so it is a surprise to see him racing over 2m 3f, but this will be a good test, especially at top weight.

Meetingofthewaters (6/1) has seen some ante-post interest in the markets, but Willie Mullins' runner has not been able to replicate the form of last season, which brought a third in the Ultima and seventh in the Grand National, finishing 20+ lengths adrift in the last two runs. He is also entered into the QuinnBet Chase at Leopardstown on Monday and it remains to be seen what Mullins' does with his charge. Good chance if he runs, but has to show much more.

Iroko (7/1) has not been able to build upon the second in the Mildmay at Aintree last April but did miss out by half a length in the Graduation Chase at Haydock in November. Placed fourth in a Grade 3 at Cheltenham last time out, with this drop in quality potentially pushing them into contention.

Former Coral Gold Cup winner, Le Milos (15/2) will hope to build upon victory last time out, while Scarface (8/1) who placed over the Christmas period in two races, will be looking to find some 2024 form, which saw them win three times and Vincenzo (also 8/1) will step up in class, having won a Class 3 last time out.

The rest are 11/1 bar, led by Saint Segal.

Kandoo Kid for me looks capable of improving on last year's result to take the victory, but overcoming Billytherealbigred's 20lbs advantage will take some doing. if he stays for this race, Meetingofthewaters is difficult to ignore, especially with the market interest, while Le Milos can also feature.

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