Speaking Our Language!

The Paddy Power Open Festival was everything we expected it to be and more. Whilst we anticipated unearthing a few prospects for the National Hunt season, the sheer volume of potential heroes was almost overwhelming. Arguably the most eye catching performance was that of Lingo who took the Greatwood Hurdle on the final day of the meeting.

Under the ever imperious AP McCoy, Lingo settled at the rear of the field before creeping up towards the front three out. When McCoy let the handbrake off, the six year old Jonjo O'Neill gelding stormed to a three and a half length victory and into the reckoning for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle.

Whilst quotes of 7/1 for the hurdling showpiece may seem skinny, bear in mind Lingo's was returning to the track after an absence of 680 days and there is a big possibility of future improvement.

Clearly Martin Pipe had a fantastic time at the Open, winning the Top Trainer Award with ease. Our Vic was a stylish winner of the Paddy Power Gold Cup. There is no doubting the talent of this eight year old and if he were to continue jumping fences with such ease, a 25/1 bet for the Cheltenham Gold Cup could prove an astute addition to any Ante Post portfolio.

Pipe also trains the winner of the Jersey Handicap Chase, Bannow Strand. It was only the five year old's first win but the manner of the eight length victory will have caught the eye of punters. The plans for Bannow Strand aren't clear but keep an eye out for him in the future when he will almost certainly be entered in some top quality contests.

After the excitement of last weekend's action, one gets a similar feeling when looking ahead to some of the top races coming up this weekend. Haydock Park and Aintree have combined to create the ?Northwest Masters' festival which features some excellent contests.

The Listed Novices Hurdle at Haydock probably provides the first genuinely intriguing contest of the weekend with the former group performer over the flat, Percussionist set to make his hurdling debut. Howard Johnson now trains the four year old and there will be a lot of attention paid to how he acquits himself over timber.

Refinement will be another to monitor in this race as she seems to be progressive sort with big prizes in her sights. The highlight of the day's racing is undoubtedly the Betfair Lancashire Chase . This is the first leg of a newly created ?Triple Crown' which, should the winner of this race go on to take the King George VI Chase and the Cheltenham Gold Cup , will land connections a #1 million bonus prize. Kicking King will be trying to get back on track after an unsuccessful return to action at Punchestown last month. Tom Taffe has reported the Gold Cup winner to be in good health and all set to go for an attempt at the prize. The rising star of Nigel Twiston-Davies stable, Ollie Magern, looks set for a clash with the King but that doesn't seem to worry Twiston-Davies as he is expecting his charge to improve on his impressive win in the Charlie Hall Chase last month. Other notable runners are Beef or Salmon, who has got the better of Kicking King in the past and Kingscliff, who wasn't far behind Kicking King in last year's King George Chase and even closer to Ollie Magern last time out at Wetherby.

Elsewhere, there is first-rate fare on offer at Windsor with the Grade 2 Blue Square Chase getting top billing. A number of high class runners look set to take their chances in this race with Jonjo O'Neill's Bold Bishop, a winner at Cheltenham last week, looking to put back to back wins together. It's a competitive race and should any one of Lacdoudal, See You Sometime, Kadount, Locksmith or Le Passing go to post, they are worthy of support. The highlight of the racing on offer at Huntingdon will be Race Number 12 in the BHB Order of Merit, the Peterborough Chase. It's unclear which runners will take their chances in the race but it is shaping up to be a mouthwatering contest. Ruby Walsh will fancy his chances of victory as he is set to ride the Daily Telegraph Chase winner, Thisthatandtother. The Paul Nicholls trained gelding looked out of sorts at Aintree in April and will be looking to return to winning ways in this race. Henrietta Knight will also feel quietly confident should Impek go to post. The participation of Monkerhostin and War Of Attrition is far from certain but their inclusion would add spice to an already hot contest.

Saturday is a very busy day of racing so look out for some other enthralling races at Southwell, Wolverhampton, Lingfield and Cork. The rising star of Michael Hourigan's stable, Mossbank, is set to head to Cork for the Eagle Star Novices Hurdle. It will be important to watch out for the progress of a horse that Hourigan has described as 'the new Beef or Salmon'.

Sunday sees the Northwest Masters move to Aintree. The highlight will be the Becher Chase , run over the Grand National course. Nina Carberry has had a great year and it could be about to get better as she has landed the ride on Forest Gunner. This eleven year old loves racing around Aintree and is a worthy favourite to land the spoils. A couple of former Grand National winners look set for another spin around Aintree in the shape of Bindaree and Amberleigh House. They may be getting advanced in years but winning form over this course is invaluable and they could represent good value as both are priced at 20/1. On the same card, the Intersky Novices Chase looks like being a thrilling contest as Irish Independent Arkle Chase candidate Cerium looks set to continue his career over fences. It won't be easy for Cerium as Monet's Garden, Stance, Nyrche and Crossbow Creek will be among the likeliest to compete for the honours in this contest.

Speaking of the Arkle, Sunday's card at Punchestown will help shed some light on the contest thanks to the Grade 2 Craddockstown Novice Chase. Currently prominent in the betting for the Arkle are Wild Passion and Justified. This pair have done nothing wrong so far in their steeplechasing careers and it will be fascinating to see their progress in this contest. Kill Devil Hill and Mansony are another pair of former hurdlers that could make an impact in this race. Soon after that issue is resolved, there is more quality racing in the form of the Grade 2 Morgiana Hurdle. Harchibald and Brave Inca, close up 2nd and 3rd in last season's Smurfit Champion Hurdle, are likely to reappear in this one ahead of another tilt at Cheltenham glory. Add to that the presence of AIG Champion Hurdle winner Macs Joy and Totesport Trophy Hurdle winner Essex and things are shaping up for what could justifiably be described as one of the races of the season.

Cork, Towcester and Plumpton complete Sunday's racing with the National Hunt card at Cork being of particular interest. The Paddy Power Cork Grand National will command a lot of attention with a number of talented horses set to take their chances along with the listed paddypower.com hurdle, where a number of young hurdlers will be looking to announce themselves to the racing public.

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