1.50 Newmarket, Wednesday, April 18

In the Weatherbys General Stud Book Handicap (1.50) at Newmarket on Wednesday, Ekhtiyaar is a lightly raced, progressive young sprinter who won twice over 6 furlongs at Newmarket last season, including on good to soft going on the Rowley Mile Course, and appears to have every chance of making a winning reappearance. On the final start of his three-year-old campaign, he could never quite keep tabs on the front-running Nobly Born in a well-contested 0-105 handicap at Ascot, but kept on at one pace to finish fifth of 13, beaten 2¾ lengths. 

That was his first defeat on good, or softer, going, but came after an 85-day break and, at least, demonstrated that his current mark of 100 to prove prohibitive, especially with another winter on his back. He ran well on his seasonal reappearance at Doncaster last April and, although he has to concede weight to all bar two of his 16 rivals, he was being touted as a bona fide contender for the Ayr Gold Cup at one point last season. Fitness is an obvious worry, after another 194-day break, but Ekhtiyaar looks the type to go on to better things in due course and is an exciting prospect.

Selection: Newmarket 1.50 Ekhtiyaar to win

5.20 Wolverhampton, Thursday, April 5

The Book Tickets at Wolverhampton-Racecourse.co.uk Handicap (5.20) is, at best, a moderate contest, in which it may be worth taking a chance on course and distance winner Zapateado. The Zoffany filly won a similar egg-and-spoon race, off a 6lb lower mark, for Richard Hughes here in November and, although her subsequent efforts in claiming and selling company were less encouraging, she appeared to show some improvement on her debut for Karen George at Lingfield earlier this month.

Although only fourth of eight, she was only beaten 1¼ lengths in that 0-70 contest at odds of 66/1, losing two places close home. On her final start for Richard Hughes, she finished last of five, beaten 12½ lengths, in a seller over course and distance, so her most recent effort represented a huge improvement. Dropped back into 0-60 company off a 2lb lower mark, she looks to have every chance of regaining the winning thread. Tom Marquand takes over from 5lb claimer Rhiain Ingram, which cannot be viewed as anything but positive, so Zapateado must have a sporting chance at decent odds.

Selection: Wolverhampton 5.20 Zapateado to win 7/1

7.45 Wolverhampton, Thursday, March 29

In the Betway Handicap (7.45) at Wolverhampton on Thursday, King Kevin has been kept busy during the winter, but is holding his form remarkably well. Although flattered by his proximity to easy winner Nonios at Chelmsford last week, Ed Dunlop’s 4-year-old recorded a career-best performance and, back over the course and distance where he’s already won three times, off a 3lb lower mark, should make a bold bid to resume winning ways.

The son of Holy Roman Emperor has yet to win in this grade, but has already improved 30lb since September, according to official figures, and may not have finished yet, despite his taxing schedule. He has already run a dozen times since October, so must be due a break soon, but he stuck to his task as well as ever at Chelmsford as is clearly thriving with racing. He’s reunited with Rab Havlin, who’s ridden him to all five victories, including three over course and distance, and he can improve his (already impressive) strike rate on synthetic surfaces.

Selection: Wolverhampton 7.45 King Kevin to win

Cheltenham Gold Cup 2018: Who are the contenders for this year's race?

The Cheltenham Festival is just around the corner. The festival is one of the most anticipated horse racing events of the British calendar. The Cheltenham Gold Cup 2018 race will be the marquee event at the festival. This year marks the 90th running of the Gold Cup, and the race will be run on Friday 16th of March at Prestbury Park. 

Although the horses and jockeys are not completely confirmed, there are a few already known that will participate in the event. 

The 2017 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, Sizing John, is expected to be back to defend his crown. Last year's winner tasted defeat at the Christmas Chase at Leopardstown. Trainer Jessica Harrington opted out of the Irish Gold Cup to prevent Sizing John from taking another loss. The horse won't run again until the Cheltenham Gold Cup 2018, which means a layoff of around three months. Leopardstown was a major disappointment as it saw Sizing John finish a distant seventh. The horse won at Leopardstown a year ago and it led to Sizing John's big win at the Cheltenham Festival. Harrington now has to get the reigning champion back into form.  

Meanwhile, last season's runners up, Minella Rocco and Native River, are also penciled in to start the race. Of course, in the build-up to the Cheltenham Gold Cup 2018, some of the expected participants could drop out due to injury or fatigue. It is hoped the top three horses from last year's edition of the Gold Cup will be involved; and that all three will perform well.

Might Bite is another horse being strongly favoured ahead of the Cheltenham Gold Cup 2018 race. Might Bite won December's King George Stakes race and many feel the horse could go on to have a stellar Cheltenham Festival performance. Might Bite is being held out of an upcoming race at Newbury. The horse's co-owner David Minton wants Might Bite to be fresh for the Cheltenham Gold Cup 2018, as the horse is being tipped by many experts as the one to beat. 

Irish Gold Cup 2018 winner Edwulf goes into Cheltenham as a slight dark horse. Edwulf was a 33-1 shot at the Irish Gold Cup but came through to win the race. The horse collapsed at Cheltenham in 2017 and nearly died. Now, nearly a year on, Edwulf is a Cinderella story in the making. The horse isn't confirmed yet for the gold cup, but it is believed by tipsters that Edwulf will line up for the event. 

Excitement is high for Samcro, who won a seventh consecutive race on February 4th in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle race. Samcro's trainer, Michael O'Leary, wants the horse to run the Cheltenham Gold Cup 2018 event. However, it isn't confirmed which event Samcro will be participate in. O'Leary does know he wants the hype surrounding his horse to die down. Due to Samcro's current winning streak, horse racing insiders and tipsters are building up the six-year-old to unachievable heights.

The Cheltenham Gold Cup 2018 will mark the final day of racing at the famed festival. Last year's festival saw over £4.59 million in prize money awarded. The Gold Cup winner alone saw £625,000 go into their pockets. This year should see even more money at stake as the race for the Cheltenham Gold Cup 2018 commences on March 16th.