#OddsKnows Racing Preview: 18th Feb

As usual we have our weekend preview first up with the action coming from Ascot, Haydock and Wincanton plus the all weather action from Lingfield and then Newcastle under the lights

Our man #OddsKnows takes a look at the best of all the action for you on The Cheeky Punts plus don't forget to check out the #OddsKnows Nap which you can find here as well as the latest across all our racing pages.

And we start as ever with the Skybet Money Back race and I'm keen to take on the favourite Green Book here who has a 4lb penalty for a Grade 3 win back at Sandown recently. Ashtown Lad could go well for the Skeltons but I'm going to side with Erne River. He has been running over both the hurdles and chasing but he put in a gutsy performance when giving the winner 18lb at Doncaster at the end of December. He should stay the 3m here and be up there or thereabouts

The maestro Paul Nicholls has his usual strong hand today and the very likeable Knappers Hill goes to Wincanton having already won here twice. There were possibly a few excuses for the poor Cheltenham run LTO and back on good ground here I think he's the one to beat

As a cheeky double I've also added a second Nicholls selection here and there will be a lot of eyes on this one as Shishkin has been all the rage and has a point to prove stepping up here to 2m5f. A revival wouldn't be impossible to see but I fear his best days may now be behind him and last years winner Fakir D'oudairies to me looks the one to beat. At the prices though I think Pic D'Orhy could be the one and be a bit of a superstar in the making

At nearly 10/1 for the Nicholls double I'll be having a cheeky little punt on these two today

Off to Haydock next and a Grand National Trial which looks a pretty open affair with a number in with a chance but the one I like here is Tim Pat. Running off a nice low weight here and with the champ Brian Hughes onboard he steps back up in trip and he looks a real stayer and a touch more rain through the day probably wouldnt do any harm

In the 3pm back at Ascot Fifty Ball has won both his runs here over Hurdles and despite another competitive looking field here, I think he could make it 3 here. He has come in for plenty of support as well so the conditions look like they'll suit and he's fancied to go well

In the 4.10pm Itso Fury steps up in trip so has a bit to prove but with 2 wins from 3 over the smaller obstacles so far there could be more to come. He finished 2nd to Irish Hill LTO and looked in that race that a step back up in trip would suit.

And back at Haydock I'm going with the champ again who takes the mount on Mr Vango. He won over C&D last year and then had a decent effort at Hereford. Haydock looks like it may suit this big looking 7YO who is still very lightly raced and surely has a future in chasing

Each Way Plays

At bigger prices Too Friendly has been consistent without winning and can give another good account at Ascot whilst Mill Green has run well at this time of year previously and could well have been targetted for this one at Haydock

Good Luck whatever you are backing and don't forget you can follow me

on Twitter @KnowsOdds where we will have more throughout the day

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