Sporting Life Tips

SATURDAY'S SELECTIONS:

ASCOT: 12.20 Possol, 12.55 River Ripples, 1.30 Ravello Bay, 2.05 Lord Henry, 2.35 Zaynar, 3.10 Planet Of Sound, 3.45 Lush Life.

GOWRAN: 12.40 Doctor Deejay, 1.10 Ross Na Righ, 1.40 Cool Dude Luke, 2.15 Fletch And Lenny, 2.50 West Ship Master, 3.20 Dont Turn Bach.

HAYDOCK: 12.15 Pepe Simo, 12.45 Tidal Fury, 1.15 Starluck, 1.45 Sure Josie Sure, 2.20 Wendel, 2.55 KAUTO STAR (NAP), 3.25 Shining Gale.

HUNTINGDON: 12.05 Ryde Back, 12.35 Bergo, 1.05 Space Telescope, 1.35 Bennynthejets, 2.10 Akram, 2.45 Laskari, 3.15 Casual Garcia.

KEMPTON: 4.00 Saint Thomas, 4.30 Jeer, 5.00 Key Regard, 5.30 Torran Sound, 6.00 River Kirov, 6.30 Kuanyao, 7.00 Connor's Choice, 7.30 Dark Camellia.

LINGFIELD: 12.00 Knockback, 12.25 Decider, 12.50 Fantasy Fighter, 1.25 Sakile, 1.55 Hellbender, 2.30 Beautiful Filly, 3.05 Fullandby, 3.40 Presvisan King, 8.15 Tewin Wood, 8.45 Summer Affair, 9.15 Absa Lutte.

DOUBLE: Kauto Star and Laskari.

Notre Pere has been all the rage in the ante-post markets for Haydock's Betfair Chase but those who keep the faith with reigning champion Kauto Star can be rewarded.

Certainly the Irish horse will handle the testing ground on Merseyside, but Kauto Star has also proven his mettle in easy conditions and the current swing towards his main rival means Paul Nicholls' star could go off at a relatively generous price.

The nine-year-old's achievements are well documented and he undoubtedly put up a special performance when becoming the first horse to regain his Cheltenham Gold Cup title last March.

Kauto Star won the Betfair Chase in both 2006 and 2007 but he dumped Sam Thomas at the final fence in this race last year so he has a little something to prove to local racegoers this timer.

However, regular rider Ruby Walsh is on board and Kauto Star comes here a fresh horse as Nicholls has decided to keep the mileage to a minimum this term.

His rivals each have a minimum of 17lb to find and even given less-than-ideal underfoot conditions, Kauto Star remains the class act.

Plenty of attention will surround the return of the high-class Diamond Harry in the Timeform Betfair Racing Club 'Fixed Brush' Handicap Hurdle but this seems a prep for a chasing career and Wendel is the one to be with.

Charlie Mann's five-year-old is most at ease when the mud is flying and finished last season very much on an upward curve.

The all-weather gets plenty of attention on a jumps-dominated weekend with the running of the Betdaq Churchill Stakes at Lingfield.

Luca Cumani's Presvis has his first start for 188 days in the 10-furlong heat as he gears up for another international campaign.

Twice a winner in Dubai and second in the Dubai Duty Free, Presvis registered a first Group One success in the QEII Cup in Hong Kong in April before just going under at the same level in Singapore.

Given a break since that run by Luca Cumani, Presvis will be hard to beat despite having to shoulder top weight.

The Listed Betdaq Golden Rose Stakes is the other highlight and that can go the way of the in-form Fullandby who won at this level last time.

Tewin Wood can complete a course and distance double in Wolverhampton's £10 Free Play At totesportbingo.com Nursery while River Kirov can be the star of the show at Kempton in the Racing UK Handicap.

Planet Of Sound can forward his championship claims with victory in Ascot's Amlin 1965 Chase.

Philip Hobbs' charge was good enough to finish third in last season's Arkle and also took place honours at Aintree but he really heralded his arrival with a victorious seasonal bow at Exeter.

Sent off 4-1 favourite for the Haldon Gold Cup, Planet Of Sound took it up at the last to win by a comfortable three and a half lengths from Cornas.

Fourth-placed Mahogany Blaze gave the form an added boost when running so well at Cheltenham last week and Planet Of Sound looks the kind of horse to develop into a true Festival contender.

Zaynar looked a top-drawer Triumph Hurdle winner last season, signing off a three-race unbeaten campaign with a gutsy success over Walkon.

The runner-up duly went on to claim Grade One glory at Aintree, giving the Festival form a thoroughly solid appearance, although Zaynar always looked a horse to fare even better over further.

That theory is borne out by the fact Nicky Henderson steps him up to just short of two and a half miles for his seasonal bow in the Coral Ascot Hurdle and Zaynar is taken to return in a blaze of glory.

Laskari will appreciate the switch back to a flatter track in Huntingdon's totepool Veterans' Handicap Chase.

He did not relish the test when third at Aintree in a similar event last time but this course should be more to his liking.