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JOHNNYWHO is the name to remember in the Sky Bet Peter Marsh Handicap Chase (2.00) at Haydock Park this afternoon.

A fruitful career over fences looked in prospect when Johnnywho, trained in tandem by Jonjo and AJ O’Neill, made a winning debut in the sphere at Carlisle in October 2024.

The nine-year-old hasn’t managed to add to that tally in seven subsequent attempts but has kept some lofty company – and there have been some near misses.

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Johnnywho missed out by just a neck in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup at the Cheltenham Festival last March, and was back to form at Ascot five days before Christmas.

Taking on 11 rivals for a big-money handicap chase over three miles, Jonjo O’Neill jnr’s mount powered home to take third, a head and a neck behind winner Deep Cave.

The additional one furlong and 160 yards here will help Johnnywho, who is fancied to defy a 1lb nudge up the weights and go two places better.

IL ETAIT TEMPS fully merits his status as a hot favourite for the BetMGM Clarence House Chase (3.30) at Ascot.

Willie Mullins ’ eight-year-old has landed seven of his nine outings over fences, a haul that includes five victories at the top level.

Il Etait Temps beat this afternoon rival, and defending champion, Jonbon by five and a half lengths in the top-level Celebration Chase at Sandown Park last April, a supremacy he extended to nine lengths in the Tingle Creek Chase in Esher in December.

A first visit to Ascot should not pose an issue to Paul Townend’s mount, who is head and shoulders above his three opponents.

Vincenzo heads the betting for the bet365 Handicap Chase (2.20) but the value lies with bottom weight NEON MOON .

A decent pot went the David Pipe-saddled 10-year-old’s way over course and distance in November via a two-and-a-quarter-length defeat of Royal Jewel.

He ran a couple of pounds below that form when fourth to Ballycamus over three miles at Ludlow on his most recent start, so it may be that coming back in trip will aid Neon Moon - and he’s well handicapped if it does.

After a taking Listed-race success on Newbury’s Coral Gold Cup undercard seven weeks ago, LA CONQUIERE looks ripe for the step up to Grade 2 company for the BetMGM Warfield Mares' Hurdle (1.40).

Le Havre’s daughter is now 2-2 over hurdles – she justified odds-on favouritism in a maiden event at Uttoxeter on Hallowe’en – and is expected to remain unbeaten in the sphere.

Also on an upward curve is CAME FROM NOWHERE , who brings untapped potential to the BetMGM Holloway’s Handicap Hurdle (2.53).

After marking his handicap debut, his fourth outing over timber, with a second to Non Stop at Wincanton two starts ago, the Jeremy Scott-saddled son of Shirocco went one better in a first-time tongue strap at Hereford five days before Christmas.

A 7lb rise for a two-and-a-quarter-length humbling of Good To Be Alive was to be expected but may not be enough to stop Came From Nowhere from following up.

Back at Haydock, SOLAR SYSTEM , whose training partnership of Philip Hobbs and Johnson White is going great guns, should go well on his return in the Sky Bet Acca Freeze Handicap Hurdle (2.35).

Nicky Henderson’s OLD PARK STAR is poised to go off at odds on for the Grade 2 Sky Bet Supreme Trial Rossington Main Novices' Hurdle (1.25), and there will be some long faces at Seven Barrows if he suffers a first defeat over timber.