WINNING STREAK

In-form Silver has the mettle to strike gold for Williams

SILVER STREAK can bring home the bacon with victory in the Racing Welfare Handicap Hurdle (3.35) at Ascot.

The grey son of Dark Angel has won three of his four outings since joining Evan Williams (above), including a personal best at Chepstow on his comeback in mid-October.

Ridden as today by rising star Mitch Bastyan, my selection travelled with ease before asserting at the final flight, coming clear to beat Dolos by four and a half lengths.

The handicapper has not taken that win lying down – he’s shunted Silver Streak up 8lb in the weights.

But the four-year-old is on a sharp upward curve and is fancied to beat 16 opponents to the £85,000 first prize.

Bastyan looks set for a good day in front of the ITV cameras – his mount POKER SCHOOL

is taken to secure back-to-back successes in the My Pension Expert Handicap Chase (1.50).

The reigning title-holder is fully 18lb higher in the handicap this time, but he was denied by just a nose at Wetherby two starts ago – he capsized before halfway at Doncaster last Saturday – and his jockey’s 5lb claim will come in very handy. GOLD Two days before Christmas, PRESENT

would be a fitting winner of the Lavazza Silver Cup Handicap Chase (3.00).

Although he collected just once from five outings over fences last season, the Nicky Henderson-trained seven-year-old put up some decent efforts in defeat – notably when second to Tully East at the Cheltenham Festival.

Gold Present made his return to the fray on Newbury’s Ladbrokes Trophy card three weeks ago, proving strong at the finish to beat Warriors Tale by a neck.

Nico De Boinville’s mount didn’t help his cause by jumping out to the right that day, so racing clockwise should suit and a 5lb rise may not be enough to stop him from following up. FULL IRISH At Haydock, deserves his place at the head of the market for the Betfred Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase (2.45). After running a well-beaten fourth over two miles at Warwick on his penultimate outing, the Emma Lavelle trainee made full use of a step up to three miles – and a switch to handicaps – at Lingfield 18 days later. Full Irish has an extra 8lb on his back, but the manner of that sevenlength call was of a horse who would continue to pay his way over a trip with underfoot. Earlier at Haydock, Christian LIMITED Williams’ RESERVE is the one to beat in the Betfred Supports Jack Berry House Handicap Hurdle (2.10).