Turf Talk: Ar Mad has Un De Sceaux in sights for Clarence House Chase shoot-out

The Irish raider is rightly favourite, but it is equally correct to assume we have not yet seen the best of the Gary Moore-trained Ar Mad, who still has the potential to be a real top-notcher.

His comeback to be fourth to Un De Sceaux in the Tingle Creek at Sandown was a fair effort after an absence of nearly 300 days, particularly as having led at a fierce gallop he clattered one at halfway.

Although he lost his place and looked well beaten with three to jump, he actually stayed on again from the last, leaving Moore to state afterwards he was the horse to take out of the race.

In fact, there was talk about supplementing the bold-jumping seven-year-old, whose only other defeat over fences came on his debut, for the King George as stamina is not seen as an issue, but common sense prevailed and he will go over a longer trip at some point in the future.

This is a furlong and a bit more than the Tingle Creek, anyway, and if his jumping holds up at pace like it did when he won the Henry VIII at Sandown last season, he can really put it up to Un De Sceaux and Ruby Walsh.

Jaleo is taken to make the most of a recovery mission in the Keltbray Holloway’s Handicap Hurdle.

Ben Pauling’s five-year-old was a strong fancy for the Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton last weekend but crashed out at the first.

The four-year-old had made his seasonal return, and first start for the Bourton-on-the-Water handler since joining from John Ferguson, a winning one at Lingfield earlier this month.

He won with plenty in hand and, if avoiding a repeat of any mishaps, a 7lb hike may not be enough to stop this lightly-raced individual from banking a nice prize.

Kylemore Lough should give a good account in the bet365 Handicap Chase.

TURF TALK TIPS

ASCOT: 12.40 Dino Velvet, 1.15 More Buck’s, 1.50 Colin’s Sister, 2.25 Jaleo, 3.00 AR MAD (NAP), 3.35 Kylemore Lough, 4.05 Kimberlite Candy.

HAYDOCK: 12.55 Barwick, 1.30 Politologue, 2.05 Elgin, 2.40 L’Ami Serge, 3.15 Alary (next best), 3.50 Pistol Park, 4.20 Aintree My Dream.

LINGFIELD: 12.50 Byres Road, 1.25 Mailshot, 2.00 Candesta, 2.35 Pinzolo, 3.10 Demographic, 3.45 Revolutionary War, 4.15 Bridge Builder.

NEWCASTLE: 5.45 Marquee Club, 6.15 Local Artist, 6.45 Silvanus, 7.15 Roller, 7.45 Orlando Rogue, 8.15 Foolaad, 8.45 Doeadeer, 9.15 Jubilee Brig.

TAUNTON: 1.10 The Unit, 1.45 St Johns Point, 2.20 Celestial Path, 2.55 Red Devil Star, 3.30 Far West, 4.00 Zamdy Man.