All-Weather Championships Finals Day 2018 - Through the card

1.30 - All-Weather Apprentice Handicap

A wide-open first race, in which supporters of War Glory will be hoping for more luck this year, after he hit 1.01 in-running in the inaugural running of this 12 months ago. Along with the improving El Hombre and the potentially well-handicapped Squats, War Glory returns from a lengthy break, however, and has something to prove in a field otherwise containing runners who have been kept busy over the winter.

One of those is Eljaddaaf, who is developing a knack for surging late to win his races and he has to be considered in his hat-trick bid here. However, it’s a risky tactic in a race of this nature, and it looks likely that this race could become messy. 

Master Speaker is one of the few runners in the field who can boast a jockey with experience on board, something which may well prove to be a big advantage. He produced his best effort for some time when winning in style at Dundalk in February and could still be competitive judged on his old form.

2.00 - All-Weather Marathon Championships

Watersmeet just failed in this race last year but once again arrives here in good heart, having notched up a hat-trick so far this term. He looks to have a leading chance in this, as does Red Verdon, though the latter is trying this distance for the first time.

The French challenger Funny Kid ran well when finishing just behind Watersmeet on his British debut at Wolverhampton in January and has every chance in a wide-open renewal, while Soldier In Action and Lord George both need to bounce back from disappointing efforts last time out.

Mountain Bell received perhaps one of the rides of the winter from Josephine Gordon to win the fast-track qualifier at Newcastle in December, a contest which took an age to hot up. This race is far likelier to have a truer pace and she looks the most likely to score under Oisin Murphy, who has enjoyed a fantastic winter so far.  

2.30 All-Weather Fillies' and Mares' Championships

Plenty of these have had busy campaigns this winter, and it is no surprise to see Diagnostic towards the top of the betting. William Haggas' filly looked progressive when racking up a quick-fire hat-trick at Chelmsford towards the end of last year, and she can perhaps be forgiven defeats in two highly tactical affairs since. 

Summer Icon ran a fantastic race to finish second in the Lady Wulfruna Stakes at Wolverhampton earlier this month, and a repeat of that form may well be enough to take a wide-open contest.

3.05 All-Weather Sprint Championships

It is without doubt that Kachy possesses a great deal of both speed and talent, but Tom Dascombe's charge had been difficult to catch right before being tried on the all-weather at Lingfield this winter. He's looked a different proposition in two starts on this surface so far, though, including when showing his versatility from a wide draw to win a fast-track qualifer last month, prominent early before holding off the late challenge of Kimberella, who won this race 12 months ago. 

Kachy, alongside Gracious John and Gifted Master are likely to ensure that there is plenty of pace to aim at, meaning that things could finally fall right for Atletico, who has been unlucky not to win of late and looks overpriced at 14/1.

3.40 3-Year-Old All-Weather Championships

Corinthia Knight has been one of the stars of the campaign on synthetics, notching up three wins so far this year with the final one coming over at Chantilly. It’s likely that we haven’t seen the best of him yet, and he will be tough to stop in this.

The biggest threat to the favourite could well come from Never Back Down, who hasn’t been seen since defeating Corinthia Knight in a qualifier last December, and he could well repeat the trick under Josephine Gordon. Breathless Times takes a steep jump in class here but could well be up to hitting the frame.

4.10 All-Weather Mile Championships

Second Thought has plenty to recommend him here, considering that he won at this meeting last year and also boasts a perfect 6-6 record on the all-weather. It took a masterclass from Ryan Moore to ensure that he won the Lady Wulfruna Stakes at Wolverhampton a couple of weeks ago, but he’s the form pick in this and should make a bold bid to extend that record on the surface.

Poor old Spare Parts missed out on a place in the calmer waters of the apprentice race due to an administrative error, and instead has to take his chance here. He’s been the story of the winter, but even hitting the frame looks a very stiff task indeed.

Second Thought comes from last to first to win the Lady Wulfruna Stakes in Wolverhampton - Watch LIVE on @ITV4 pic.twitter.com/SSnwIlBAj7

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 10, 2018

4.40 Easter Classic All-Weather Middle Distance Championships

It’s rare that you will find a race with such distinctive form lines as this year’s Easter Classic, which includes the 1-2-3 from both the Winter Derby and the Winter Derby Trial.

Master The World deservedly won the Derby itself in the stewards room from Mr Owen and looks to have strong claims of following up here, though his tendency to run the occasional poor race is a concern.

Instead, it could well be the Derby Trial which proves to have the more decisive form line, as Utmost was able to dominate from the front that day. Admittedly, everything fell right for him that day, something which didn't happen in the Derby itself, but things look more likely to go his way from a pace perspective here. He will be very difficult to peg back if able to grab an uncontested lead once again. 

Read the R&D team's preview of the All Weather Sprint Championships