Here is what happened when pin-up jockey Hayley Turner teamed up with Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills at Kempton Park for Sport Relief:

Mills broke out slowly from the gates, but Hayley reported that her mount then ‘travelled well’. The paddock pick showed signs of fatigue during the race, but should improve for the outing. Punters will be wondering whether Scott Mills could be seen to greater effect on an artificial surface, but at least he has landed the odds for backers this time.

As ever, we have some terrific racing action to look forward to this Saturday.

The Eider Chase up in Newcastle will be one of the biggest betting races – a 4m1f Grand National trial where stamina is the name of the game. Comply Or Die took this in 2008 before his Aintree heroics, and to me 8/1 Iris De Balme looks the pick of the bunch. I am also a fan of Tarquinius at 16/1, as he always stays on at the end of his races.

Friday update: Newcastle has been rained off.

If Dubai isn’t enough to satisfy fans of flat racing, then they can also look forward to the Winter Derby Trial at Lingfield Park. Gitano Hernando is 10s for the Dubai World Cup, and he really ought to take this at odds of 4/5.

However, we are going to head to Kempton’s jumps action to try and find a good bet. The Racing Post Chase is off at 3.05pm, and is a handicap race over three miles. Triumph Hurdle favourite Mille Chief is also in action, and is 1/2 to win his race.

7/2 Nacarat

Nacarat won this last year at 10/1, and I was surprised to see odds of 9/1 about him repeating that win when the antepost market for this race opened a few weeks ago. 7/2 is a more realistic price now, but he is still entitled for support with AP McCoy taking the ride from the suspended Sam Thomas. McCoy has a good record on the grey, who is a Kempton specialist and ran a cracker in the King George.

I strongly believe that he’ll at least be placed in the first three.

This is what we said about his chances last year…

10/1 Nacarat will be ridden by AP McCoy, and will go well fresh. His form is very erratic, so I don’t think he’ll carry my money. He should be well supported in the betting tomorrow though.

4/1 Kilcrea Castle

Emma Lavelle’s Kilcrea Castle has been very well backed this week, and made a pleasing debut for his new stable at Ascot. If you like this one you’d be mad not to take Sky Bet up on their 50/1 quote for the Grand National.

4/1 Fistral Beach

Paul Nicholls won this race in 2008 with Gungadu, and commands respect in any big race on Saturdays. Ruby Walsh is going to have to do ten stone to get the ride, but Fistral Beach had a terrible spell of ‘seconditis’ and has to race from out of the handicap. Will his recent win bring about a change in attitude? Punters will certainly hope so.

7/1 Miss Mitch

This mare will relish the testing ground and is another horse that’s been well backed for victory.

Betting Update: Withdrawn on Friday afternoon. Reported to be lame at home.

7/1 Madison Du Berlais

Carries the top weight of 11st12lbs and is a favourite of this blog. Forget his last race where he was beaten by Tarnis – he clearly hates Cheltenham and should never set foot there again. He beat Denman twice last year, loves flat tracks and will be suited by the good gallop in this race set by Nacarat.

In my eyes he is a Grade 1 animal and his main threat is the front-running Nacarat, who carries 4lb less than Madison.

12/1 Atouchbetweenacara

Paul Beck has now returned his horses to Venetia Williams. Atouchbetweenacara was touted a a possible Hennessy horse earlier this season, and went down on many lists. The boylesports.com Gold Cup looked the ideal race for him, but he could only manage 11th at 8/1. I think he’s one to keep an eye on for a Festival handicap in March.

14/1 Oedipe

Oedipe’s handicap mark has come down from 146 gradually, and as a result only has to carry 10st. Nicky Henderson won this race in 2004.

14/1 Piraya

Recent winner at Warwick for the David Pipe team, but I prefer the stable-mate, Madison Du Berlais.

25/1 Razor Royale

Could’ve finished closer on his most recent Sandown start, but the handicapper may have the edge over Razor Royale after his November win.

25/1 Private Be

Trainer Philip Hobbs has a good record in this race, and if you are looking for an outsider, I would take Private Be. Looked to have every chance when going down to The Sawyer at Cheltenham, who has since run a blinder behind Monet’s Garden…

25/1 Le Burf

33/1 Something Wells

33/1 Bible Lord

66/1 Ollie Magern

Best Bets:

2pts @ 7/1 Madison Du Berlais

1pt Forecast: 1st Madison Du Berlais. 2nd Nacarat.

bookies.com is your best bet for comparing horse racing odds:

Racing Post Chase Betting Odds

Adonis Juvenile Hurdle Betting

Pendil Novices Chase Betting

Grand National 2010 Antepost Betting Odds

Cheltenham Festival Betting Odds

The Kentucky Derby Challenge Stakes will be run over 1m1f at 7.50pm on Wednesday. The race carries £80,000 in prize money, pretty generous compared to other all-weather races at Kempton Park.

The winner is guaranteed a place in the Kentucky Derby, even though Britain’s record in the race is shocking. Should they line up, they’ll receive a £100K bonus for their troubles.

There is a short run into the first bend, so runners drawn high are at a disadvantage. That’s flat racing for you, but the jumps season is by far from over.

Mafaaz is 11/2 for the Richard Hills – Sheikh Mohammed combination. He proved that he was a smart prospect by winning over 7f at this course and cost a tasty 400,000gns. He was next seen just behind Donativum and should be even better this year for that experience. Bred to stay this distance.

3/1 favourite Haashed runs for the same owner, although wears the black cap because it is considered to be second string. He won a maiden at Lingfield in November is promising style, so could be anything. Jockey Jamie Spencer has been in great form on the poly this winter.

6/1 Close Alliance is from the same yard as the favourite, and has had had the form of his Great Leighs maiden boosted by 3 winners. Well drawn and looks like my idea of a bet with Jimmy Fortune on board.

20/1 Shampagne is also well drawn, and has won his 3 starts on the all-weather. He has already raced 10 times, and could be vulnerable.

14/1 Akhenaten is drawn in 11 and is a bit of mystery. His previous win was in a 3-runner affair at Wolverhampton.

23/1 Deposer has form behind Square Eddie, but won’t be good enough in this contest. 33/1 Markyg is an appealing long shot, with 2 wins at Kempton to his name.

Recommendation:

1pt win @ 6/1 Close Alliance (Sporting Bet)

1pt win @ 33/1 Markyg (Paddy Power)

bookies.com is your best bet for comparing horse racing odds

Kentucky Derby Challenge Betting

Kentucky Derby Betting

Lingfield Winter Derby Betting

William Hill Lincoln Handicap Betting

The race is one for Champion Chase contenders, over 2m at Kempton Park. It will be televised on Channel 4 and the off time is 3:15pm.

I was on Twist Magic in this year’s Tingle Creek at 14/1. Twist was running a massive race and was more on the bridle than Master Minded just before he fell. Maybe I’m gutted about the last run, but the fall may have taken something out of him. Nevertheless, I’d much rather be on Twist and AP McCoy than the other Nicholls runner, 7/2 Takeroc.

This is definitely a race to watch, because even 16/1 Ashley Brook has a massive chance if back to his best. Today I’m advising a decent sized bet on Petit Robin in the antepost market for the Champion Chase. Master Minded may be short at 4/6, even though he looks the likely winner at this stage. That can all change, as these star horses are just as prone to injuries and setbacks.

William Hill are best priced at 16/1 for Petit Robin in the Champion Chase, which is a terrific price. He has won 4 out of 5 and is open to a great deal of improvement after a decent win at Newbury in November. Representing the Nicky Henderson yard, it wouldn’t surprise me if he win impressively on Saturday, meaning that the 16/1 will be long gone.

Recommendation:

3pts each way 16/1 Petit Robin

Desert Orchid Chase Betting

Champion Chase Betting