Ed Quigley: Three weekend tips and a 16/1 selection for the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham

Expect the usual testing Haydock ground on Saturday, where stamina will be the name of the game.

ADRIMEL looks to have a cracking opportunity to make it back to back wins in the opener on the card, the Novices' Limited Handicap Chase over 2m4f. An enigmatic character, he was a Grade 2 winner over hurdles last season, but has had the tendency to throw in some stinkers too. However, all his best form has come on deep ground (all wins achieved on Soft or Heavy), is two from two at Haydock, and the application of the first-time blinkers worked an absolute treat last time out as he romped home by 15 lengths at this venue. Off 139 in the forecast conditions, he could take a lot of beating. The Tom Lacey team tasted big race success last Saturday at Newbury, and will be looking to notch another nice weekend winner here.

As far as the Rendlesham Hurdle goes, THOMAS DARBY won't have many easier opportunities to win a Grade 2, as he is the stand-out pick on ratings, and has winning form in testing ground. The Olly Murphy representative has a touch of class, and when on-song is a force to be reckoned with, as demonstrated at Newbury on his penultimate start, when easily accounting for Paisley Park and company in the Long Distance Hurdle where he travelled and jumped well in a first-time tongue tie. There will be no excuses here really, and with a dominant display he can book his ticket to the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham next month. 

The Ascot card looks too tricky for me to get involved in at this stage, with the Ascot Chase especially looking an absolute snorter. Instead, I am looking at Wincanton's Kingwell Hurdle, where last year's emphatic winner GOSHEN looks to have every opportunity of notching another success. He roared back to form at Sandown last time out, when absolutely dotting up in the Contenders Hurdle. Forecast rain will not be a problem, if bringing his A-game, he looks the one they will all have to pass.

With just four weeks to go until the Cheltenham Festival, I am amazed to see PATS FANCY still as big as 16/1 for the National Hunt Chase. I spoke favourably of him in a previous column, and imagined after his lovely tune-up run behind Bravemansgame at Newbury on Saturday, he would be a lot shorter in the aftermath. The form of his Chepstow win is working out a treat, and this relentless galloper will be well suited by the demands that this assignment poses. If it happened to turn up soft at the Cheltenham Festival, his chances would only be enhanced. Rebecca Curtis seems to be delighted with him, and he looks a major player. 

Advice:

Adrimel, Haydock 13.00, Saturday 19th February, 1pt win
Thomas Darby, Haydock 14:05, Saturday 19th February, 1pt win
Goshen, Wincanton, 15:20, Saturday 19th February, 1pt win
Pats Fancy, Cheltenham Festival, National Hunt Chase, Tuesday 15th March, 16/1 NRNB (Bet365)

CHECK OUT ALL ED QUIGLEY'S CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL ANTE-POST TIPS HERE