SATURDAY SELECTIONS:

ASCOT: 12.55 Super Villan, 1.25 Politeo, 1.55 Hell’s Bay, 2.30 Restless Harry (e/w), 3.05 Massini’s Maguire, 3.35 Abergavenny.

FAIRYHOUSE: 12.15 Mount Colah, 12.45 Blazing Tempo, 1.15 Luke’s Benefit, 1.45 Sir Lynx, 2.15 Byerley Bear, 2.50 Hidden Present, 3.25 Marble House.

HAYDOCK: 12.40 Baccalaureate, 1.10 Kudu Country, 1.40 Cabbyl Doo, 2.10 Moonlight Drive, 2.45 Wymott, 3.20 Highland Lodge.

LINGFIELD: 12.20 Mr Knightley, 12.50 Delft, 1.20 Guards Chapel, 1.50 Clockmaker, 2.20 CEILIDH HOUSE (NAP), 2.55 Brigadoon, 3.30 Grudge.

NEWCASTLE: 12.05 Beat The Band, 12.35 Blenheim Brook, 1.05 Sir Tantallus Hawk, 1.35 Lord Villez, 2.05 Dark Glacier, 2.40 Hole In One, 3.15 Bladoun.

DOUBLE: Ceilidh House and Abergavenny.

Brian Ellison’s Abergavenny ran a superb race for one so inexperienced in last month’s Greatwood Hurdle and has to be rated a danger to all in a cracking renewal of The Ladbroke at Ascot.

A fair Flat performer, the four-year-old won minor novice hurdles at Hereford, Wetherby and Sedgefield in the spring to remain unbeaten in that sphere as he headed to Cheltenham in November.

His starting price of 28-1 indicated the majority expected such a fiercely competitive event would be a bridge too far, but Ellison knows the time of day and his charge ran his heart out to finish a highly creditable third.

The form was given a major shot in the arm when the winner, Brampour, went on to run an excellent third in last week’s International Hurdle and that one is back for more at Ascot.

However, Abergavenny is significantly better off at the weights than the last time they met for a three-length beating and must have sound claims of turning the tables.

Big Buck’s clearly has the Lough Derg Long Walk Hurdle at his mercy, but Restless Harry is a sporting each-way selection to at least chase him home.

Robin Dickin’s stable star was a reasonable distance behind the mighty Paul Nicholls-trained staying king at Cheltenham in March, and won with authority on his return at Wetherby in October.

Two outings over fences since then have not really seen him at his best, but he is race-fit and might be the value call for the place money as the exciting Dynaste still has plenty to prove stepped up markedly in class.

Few yards are capable of getting one ready first time better than the Pipe stable, which makes Massini’s Maguire appealing in the GL Events Owen Brown Silver Cup Handicap Chase.

Smart over hurdles and fences in his time with Philip Hobbs, the 10-year-old has been restricted to just one start at his new Pond House base, a winning one back in October last year.

That was at Ascot – also off a long break – and saw him stay on strongly to beat Take The Breeze.

A mark of 152 is not punitive and he is two from two at the Berkshire track, all of which gives a positive look to his chance.

Wymott gets the chance to show his Grand National credentials in the Maxilead Metals Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase at Haydock.

Trained by local hero Donald McCain and owned by Trevor Hemmings, who likes nothing better than a winner at this track, the still-unexposed seven-year-old lost his unbeaten record over fences when running no sort of race in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham at the Festival.

But he confirmed the previous good impression he had made when putting in a cracking effort in the Hennessy last month, doing all his best work late to be sixth behind Carruthers.

That was on ground faster than ideal, and he will certainly find conditions much more in his favour on Merseyside.

He looks on a very attractive mark at the moment.

Hole In One must also have a fine chance in the Brick Services Novices’ Handicap Chase at Newcastle.

Ceilidh House is the one to be with in the feature race at Lingfield, the Listed Betfred Quebec Stakes.

Ralph Beckett’s filly was thought enough of last year to run in Snow Fairy’s Oaks, and returned this term with a highly creditable third behind subsequent Group One winner Timepiece at Warwick in June.

The daughter of Selkirk only had two more starts in the turf season, against the colts in the Select Stakes at Goodwood in September and when running another big race in her bid to win a Listed event at Doncaster’s Leger meeting for the second year in succession.

She looked the likely winner at one stage on Town Moor, a comment which, to a slightly lesser degree, also applies to her run at Kempton last month, her first on Polytrack.

Towards the rear through the early stages, Beckett’s charge had a fair bit of ground to make up on the thoroughly progressive Barbican but travelled smoothly into contention before ultimately finding the winner too strong.

With her ability to handle this surface now assured, she looks something to bet on, especially as the drop back in trip should work in her favour.