Here's hoping we all have a Whale of a Time ... By Richard Kingscote

Cheshire-based Jockey, Richard Kingscote, succeeds Paul Hanaghan as Haydock Park's new columnist and gives the low-down on his rides this week.

This week I’m delighted to succeed the two-time Champion Jockey Paul Hanagan as Haydock Park’s new Flat racing columnist.

Between now and the autumn, I’ll be endeavouring to highlight the horses that I think are the major chances for me at the weekend fixtures.  As stable jockey to trainer Tom Dascombe in Cheshire, I hope to offer insights into some of our best hopes for the season.

Evening racing in under way for the year and Haydock Park stages its opening meeting on the Flat in 2012 on Saturday night.  I see that fixture also includes a concert by Noah & The Whale after the races.

We had quite a lot of entries for Haydock, but the wet weather is playing havoc with our planning.  I had hoped to be at Leicester races in the afternoon but that was called off because of waterlogging more than 24 hours ago.

I’m restricted to three rides tomorrow at Doncaster’s evening fixture – and the best of them was a dual winner at Haydock last year.

Basantee is a three-year-old filly which won in softer conditions at Haydock.  She relishes ground with a bit of give in it, and she’ll get that on Saturday night on Town Moor.  The one thing not in her favour is that she has tended to run better in smaller fields and she won’t have that tomorrow.  However, she’s genuine and I think she’ll have a right good chance in the handicap at 6.40pm.

I ride Cloud Illusions for Oxfordshire trainer Heather Main in the fillies’ handicap 35 minutes earlier.  She knows how to win but has gone off the boil a little since victory at Newmarket almost a year ago.

My other ride is in the opening race at Doncaster at 5.35pm.  Barracuda Boy makes his racecourse debut.  He’s a nice horse, but our two-year-olds have been hitting the post so far this season.

At Manor House Stables we’re beginning to gear up for the big races and meetings at Haydock Park and Chester during May.  Many of our owners are based in the North West and they like to see their horses racing at the region’s racecourses.

Earlier today we took a number of our horses for a spin around The Roodee.  They included Brown Panther whose initial target is the Ormonde Stakes at Chester next month.

I will have more news on May’s targets next week.  In the meantime, enjoy the racing at Haydock Park on Saturday night, including the Noah & The Whale concert.

Richard Kingscote

Racing at Haydock Park on Saturday is between 5.55pm and 8.25pm.  The Noah & The Whale concert is immediately afterwards.  Parking is free.  Admission: Premier Enclosure £48; County Stand £30; Tattersalls £22; Newton Enclosure £13.  Under 18s, who must be accompanied by an adult, are admitted free of charge.