I'M SOLL-D ON THE IDEA

Yet another weekend that has been hit by a deluge of rain, but thankfully the big fixtures have managed to remain on, with credit having to go to the clerk's of the course and the groundstaff at the racecourses. However, there is no way of avoiding the fact that the ground will be bottomless, so it will have to be factored in when choosing the selections.

The 3:35 at Sandown sees a lot of horses with chances, but the standout to me is SOLL, who has course and distance (around a specialist course) and will revel in the mud. A big brute of a horse whose last two wins came on heavy ground, you also have to remember that he came a hugely creditable seventh in the Grand National. This was ran on beautiful spring ground, definitely not in his favour. His first run since April's National saw a respectable performance, finishing less than five lengths behind the winner, again in ground probably firmer than he's ideally want. A massive chance.

My other selection at Sandown is FINE PARCHMENT, in the 3:00. Quite simply, he's won three in a row, has form on soft ground (hopefully heavy will not prove a problem) and has won at the course. Favourite Tatenen would seem to have ground doubts judging by performances previous. King Edmund won last time out, but average performances before that cannot be forgotten. Aachen's form is very inconsistent and may struggle come the business end of the race and may as well mention the last of the quintet, Tchang Goon, who looks way out of his depth this afternoon.

The West Wales National sees Mountainous going after a double of Welsh-based Nationals, hoping to follow up his Welsh National success at Chepstow. However, I'm going for horse who has form on heavy, should be staying on when others have cried enough and races off of a featherweight. This horse is SMOKING ACES. He ran well in the Sussex National at Plumpton on heavy ground and a lengthy trip. Providing that hasn't taken anything out of him, he would have a big chance. Of the others, Mountainous carries a much bigger riding weight than he did when winning at Chepstow so that makes life tougher for him, Emperors Choice's form looks average and Alfie Spinner has conditions to suit but he hasn't won since 2011 and that is a concern.

A venture onto the all weather at Lingfield this afternoon sees a tip in the 1:45. This is COMPTON PRINCE. He's now back down to the weight he won his first race off and ran with credit last time out. He has the impressive (not for much longer) conditional Robert Tart in the saddle claiming three pounds and at around 10/1, looks a decent price. Another horse at those odds who could run well is One Way Or Another, who is another that has slipped down to an attractive weight, although I'm convinced he wants further than this; he seems to be a horse who does most of this work in the final furlong, albeit its often too little too late.

There's even a chance to have a dabble in Ireland today. I am a massive fan of the Stuart Crawford stable, especially their record with mares in bumper races. TWENTYTWOS TAKEN seems like a horse who can fit that bill, judging by her debut demolition job, when routing the opposition by ten lengths. This is a race of high quality for the grade, but I think my selection has what it takes to make herself victorious in this race.

Enjoy your weekend

Enjoy the start of the Six Nations too.

And...

Happy Punting!