TONY CALVIN: ITV details this week, with double entries now added

Rain is due everywhere in the next 24 hours, and the amounts have been changing, so I am not in the least inclined to bet at this stage.

I will have another look tomorrow morning once we know what has fallen, but at the moment Saturday’s ante-post markets look as unappealing as could be, with margins set rather in the bookmakers’ favour, shall we say.

Uninspiring stuff – and if anyone can seriously see any value in these early markets, then good luck to them – but the updated all-important double entries are below.

I really do think ante-post markets are fast becoming pretend betting/tipping, though.

And don’t get me started on “Cheltenham Festival” markets, where the books faint and shrivel at the mere sniff of a tipster-led punt for tuppence before the price is decimated within minutes.

And, even more worryingly, perhaps rightly so.

To quote Rik Mayall: “Thatcher’s Britain, Thatcher’s Bloody Britain”.

Betting is just a touch too clinical and depressing, on occasions, these days.

It’s a good job I am nearer the exit, than the entrance.

DETAILS OF ITV TRACKS THIS WEEK – updated last on Tuesday

EXETER (Friday)

GOING – Good

Tuesday morning course update: 21mm between 21 Oct and 29 Oct. 4.5mm Thursday. 8mm Friday 1mm Saturday 2.5 mm Sunday. 1.5mm Monday. Tues – Rain pushing in first thing, remaining wet throughout the day, turning heavy for a few hours from around lunchtime. YELLOW – WEATHER WARNING IN PLACE FOR SOUTH WEST UNTIL TOMORROW MORNING. Weds – Light rain throughout. Thurs – Showers. Fri – Light rain throughout the day. Further 15-25mm forecast. Chance there could be more.

Weather (yr.no latest): 13mm Tuesday; 4.9mm Wednesday; 9.1mm Friday

HEXHAM (Friday)

GOING – Good to soft

Going stick: 6.6, Tuesday 11.15am

Tuesday morning course update : Partly Cloudy. 3mm in last 24hrs Tues 4th: 16c overcast with sunny spells and a chance of showers (5mm + poss). Weds: 5th: 16c overcast with sunny spells and a chance of showers (2mm). Thurs 6th: 16c overcast with sunny spells and a chance of showers (1mm). RACEDAY Fri 7th: 14c overcast with sunny spells and a chance of showers (0.5mm).

Weather (yr.no latest): 5.3mm Tuesday; 4.7mm Wednesday

DONCASTER (Saturday)

GOING – Soft, good to soft in places

Tuesday morning course update: 0.8mm rain Friday 2.2mm rain over the weekend. 1mm rain Monday. Showers forecast this evening and through the night. Mainly dry thereafter with sunny spells at times and a gentle breeze. Remaining mild through to racing – 14-16C.

Weather (yr.no latest): 9.9mm Tuesday

WINCANTON (Saturday)

GOING:

Chase Course: Good to Firm (GSt 7.4 on Mon 8:30am)

Hurdle Course:  Good to Firm (Good in places) (GSt 6.9 on Mon 8:30am)

Tuesday morning course update: 18.4mm of rainfall in the last 7 days. Including 1mm on Monday. Forecast rain Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday (10-15mm). Showers Thursday (1-3mm). Rain Friday (3-6mm). Dry Raceday. Max temps 15C.

Weather (yr.no latest): 6.5mm Tuesday; 1.4mm Wednesday

Watering: 15mm of irrigation applied to the whole track week commencing 27th October. Further 10mm circuits being applied. Reservoir levels indicate a further 30mm of whole track irrigation available.

AINTREE (Saturday)

GOING – Good to soft

Rails: All rail on Mildmay/Hurdle moved out 2yds.

• Race 1: Race distance is now +21y to 2m 4f 21y
• Race 2: Race distance is now +27y to 3m 176y
• Race 3: Race distance is now +25y to 3m 1f 15y
• Race 4: Race distance is now +16y to 1m 7f 192y
• Race 6: Race distance is now +16y to 2m 1f 5y
• Race 7: Race distance is now +16y to 2m 1f 5y

Tuesday morning course update: 7mm rain Sat, 2.2mm Sun, 5.2mm Mon, 2.2mm so far Tues Forecast: Further rain through Tues and into Wed (5-10mm). Then becoming more settled with sunny spells Thursday through to Saturday. Remaining mild throughout.

Weather (yr.no latest): 11mm Tuesday; 4.4mm Wednesday

SATURDAY’s DOUBLE ENTRIES (pay attention to horses in bold; do not back these ante-post – up to and including Thursday’s racing)

12.55pm Aintree (perhaps not be the best idea having another Pertemps qualifier at Newbury on Thursday?): Act Of Authority (due to run at Newbury on Thursday), East India Express (Thu), Haiti Couleurs (Thu), Lihyan (Thu), Marble Sands, Pinot Rouge, Thanksforthehelp (Thu), Tranquil Sea (Thu)

1.10pm Wincanton: Thistle Ask (due to run on Friday), Rightsotom, Frere D’Armes, Denemethy, Lord Baddesley, Good Friday Fairy, Glengouly, Nickelforce

1.25pm Doncaster: Fine Interview, Pineapple Island, Sophia’s Starlight, Stormy Impact

1.45pm Wincanton: Dramatic Encore, Game Colours, Good Look Charm, I Spy A Diva, Jena d’Oudairies, Sunset Marquesa

2.05pm Aintree: The Kemble Brewery (due to run at Chepstow on Wednesday), Breaking Cover, Bois Guillbert, Mambonumberfive, Grain d’Oudairies, Glengouly, Heads Of Harps

2.23pm Wincanton (7 of 9 double entered): Art Of Diplomacy, Breaking Cover, Cobra Queen, Double Powerful, Doyen Quest, Rightsotom, Settle Down Jill

2.40pm Aintree: Art Of Diplomacy, Colonel Harry, Courtland, Jet Plane, Dreal Deal

2.55pm Wincanton: Calico, Frere d’Armes (ran poorly at Plumpton on Monday), Hamlet’s Night, Rubaud

3.10pm Doncaster: Crystal Flyer, Perfect Your Craft

3.30pm Wincanton: Art Of Diplomacy. Cobra Queen, Credo, Dom Of Mary, Eldorado Allen, Gustavian, Jet Plane, Lord Baddesley (Thu), Soul Icon, The Big Breakaway, Wiseguy

3.45pm Doncaster: Crystal Flyer, Gibside, Perfect Your Craft