Ascot on Saturday: Tips and runners for every race including Fakir D'Oudairies

Favourite Fakir D'Oudairies bids to give the Irish a boost ahead of the Cheltenham Festival in the Betfair Ascot Chase (3.38).

On the seven-year-old's last trip to Britain, he emerged triumphant at Aintree's Grand National meeting.

With just a few weeks to go to Cheltenham, where Irish trainers dominated 12 months ago, Joseph O'Brien's gelding races for the £85,425 first prize.

In opposition is last year's winner Dashel Drasher, King George regular Saint Calvados and Fanion D’Estruval, from in-form Venetia Williams' stable.

They are among eight runners going to post on soft ground, a description which could change with further rain and wind in the forecast.

The Grade 2 Bateaux London Reynoldstown Novices' Chase (1.50) sees progressive novice Corach Rambler tackle five rivals, while a competitive field has assembled for the Listed greatbritishstallionshowcase.co.uk Swinley Chase (2.25).

Colin Tizzard's top weight Fiddlerontheroof heads the betting, but Hold That Taught, at the other end of the handicap, has attracted market support.

1 Hecouldbetheone

2 Unanswered Prayers

3 Ballyblack

4 Skytastic

5 Holerday Ridge

6 Jeffery's Cross

7 Kap Auteuil

8 Mouriyani

9 Scarface

TIPPING VERDICT: Dual bumper scorer Skytastic carried on his unbeaten record tacking obstacles, form which has been franked by the runner-up. He is highly regarded and bigger days should await him, yet he has not raced on a surface slower than good to soft. Given he went twice at Doncaster, a track which normally has better ground, it is a question mark. The tentative vote goes to KAP AUTEUIL, who has gone up the weights significantly in chases. Trainer Toby Lawes switches him back to hurdles and he meets the other previous winners on decent terms.

1 Does He