Who to follow at Haydock and Ascot this weekend?

The big race of the weekend is the Grade One Clarence House Chase at Ascot and even with a small field there is a star studded line up and Defi Du Seuil looks the one to beat.

Philip Hobbs' superstar is back seeking another Grade One victory to add to his illustrious career already and he has a huge chance in what will be one of the toughest races of his season.

This term he has raced twice and is still unbeaten after scoring on his seasonal debut in the Grade Two Shloer Chase and then he backed that up by landing the third Grade One of his career in the Tingle Creek at Sandown.

He is set to renew his rivalry with the superb veteran Un De Sceaux who he narrowly beat at Sandown before the turn of the year and the thought of them two been locked in a battle up the run in is what we all love racing for.

However, we feel that the younger Defi Du Seuil has more scope and has a larger will to win than the 12 year old and it should be a perfect stepping stone before the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham festival.

A young trainer that has become one of the most feared handlers in both jumps and flat racing is Jospeh O'Brien and the irishman sends one horse to Haydock on Saturday and we think he is worth following.

Darasso for the trainer enters the frame in The New One Hurdle off the back of his last two runs when winning a nice Grade Three over at Gowran Park in February and following that up over fences in a Grade two at Navan.

This seven year old is having his first run over the season switching back over to hurdles which could be the making of him especially in heavy ground which truly brings the best out of him.

He is proven at going well fresh and has only been waited on coming back to racing this late as he had an extended summer off.

Liam Treadwell picks up one ride tomorrow at Haydock in the penultimate race of the afternoon on Merseyside in the Class 3 Handicap Chase over two miles and his ride Billingsley looks to have a big chance.

He had been a hard horse to win with before getting off the mark for the season last time out at Hereford in some of the worst conditions seen.

The muddy/heavy ground at Haydock on Saturday will play to his strengths massively and if this eight year old can jump like he did last time out he has a big chance.