The great, the good and those that like a decent lunch were at the Crabbie’s Grand National weights launch, held this year at the Sky Garden in central London.

Everyone I’ve spoken to said it was the most amazing setting with incredible views of the city and the best launch/lunch yet.

I am not sure if Venetia Williams enjoyed it as much as she might have when she learned that Houblon Des Obeaux had been raised a stone for his win at Newbury last weekend.

As I said before, it was not a vintage renewal of the Denman Chase, which he won as he liked, and there were question marks over all of the field. I was hoping the small field, the soft ground and his liking for Newbury could see a return to form and so it proved.

It was a bloodless win in a Grade 2 field, so you can see why the handicapper did hike him a stone, but the form might not stack up.

In any case, I don’t think the National is the race for him. I don’t think the hurly burly would suit him and he’s small in stature too so would be in the firing line.

I have no idea what I’ll be on; Venetia has other entries and the race is still two months away so there’s plenty of time.

Hollywell caught my eye at the weights – and many others seemingly. He is 10lb lower than his highest mark, loves that time of year and is a Grade One winner. You need that touch of class to win the race nowadays and he looks a nice each-way proposition for punters.

Yala Enki looks my best chance of a winner at Ascot today and lines in the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle. He has been a star in his five runs for us, winning the Lanzarote and then only going down by a length in a Grade Three at Sandown.

Ballyalton chased Faugheen home at the Festival two years ago and has only run three times since so clearly has had problems.

He always runs his race and definitely won’t be far away. He seems to be getting better with each run this season and was a close-ish second to Aso at Market Rasen last time. I was on the winner that day so have a good line on the form, and Ballyalton could run well at a big price in the Sodexo Reynoldstown Novices' Chase.

Waldorf Salad, who runs in the Appletiser 50 Year Celebration Chase, is another very consistent sort. He’s bang in form, having won twice before finishing second at Cheltenham. He’s another who could easily finish in the frame.

I was very hopeful that Dubawi Island would have a season to remember following his win at Ludlow in November, but he hasn’t gone on. His last run at Ascot was very disappointing so he doesn’t overly fill me with confidence going into the Les Ambassadeurs Casino Handicap Hurdle.

I am delighted to have picked up the ride on Amore Alato in the big race of the day, the Grade One Betfair Ascot Chase.

Like last week’s Denman Chase, there are doubts over a lot of the field and it could be a case of who recovers their form on the day. He should have won a Grade Two at Ascot, when unseating at the last in December.

He got beaten a long, long way by Bristol De Mai at Haydock last month, but he raced with the winner that day and took him on before being dropped in the straight. 20-1 would look a tempting price for a place in an eight-runner field.

I can’t tell you much about Grand Turina. She won her only start – a bumper at Wetherby – under Gavin Sheehan. She showed plenty of promise but an Ascot bumper is a different proposition with some unknown quantities.

Aidan Coleman is sponsored by Racing UK, which is launching its HD Channel on Sky 432 on March 7. Visit racinguk.com/hd for more.