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ITV Racing Preview Saturday
MORE RACING LIVE ON ITV ON SATURDAY with a mouthwatering renewal of the Long Walk where Thyme Hill and Paisley Park lock horns again! Also competitive handicap action from Haydock to enjoy.
Make sure you scroll right down to the bottom to see any multiples we are placing. These can be added direct to your bet365 bet slip.
ITV Racing Saturday Schedule
1.50 Ascot “For The Love Of Racing” Handicap Chase (Class 2) 2m3f
2.05 Haydock Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) 2m3f
2.25 Ascot Porsche Long Walk Hurdle (Grade 1) 3m1/2f
2.40 Haydock Betfair Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase (Class 2) 3m11/2f
3.00 Ascot Good Luck Hollie In SPOTY Silver Cup Handicap Chase (Listed Race) 3m
3.35 Ascot Betfair Exchange Trophy (Grade 3) 1m71/2f
ITV Racing 4/1 Offer
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Ascot 12.40 Foundation Developments Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 4) 2m71/2f
A wide open race to kick us off at Ascot and whilst it is hard to rule any of these out, POPPA POUTINE looks to have a good chance in this. He is lightly raced and put up a really good effort to win on handicap debut at Southwell. He’s up 6lb but still looks ahead of the handicapper to me so looks sure to go close and at a decent each way price too.
There are plenty of dangers but I think Fawsley Spirit is the stand out as he will come on for the run and his comeback run alone will see him competitive.
Ascot 1.15 Injured Jockeys Fund Graduation Chase (Class 2) 2m5f
Riders Onthe Storm put in an impressive display to win this last year so it usually has some good horses contesting it. We have a decent renewal despite the small field. CARIBEAN BOY has made giant strides over fences and jumped accurately to beat a good yardstick in Fiddlerontheroof at Newbury last month. With further improvement to come he looks a leading player here and I don’t think he’ll be for catching under Daryl Jacob. He should lead and if he gets into a nice rhythm again it’s going to take a big performance to stop him justifying favouritism.
Itchy Feet is clearly extremely talented but he isn’t the most straightforward so he is hard to be overly bullish about. If he puts in an error-free round then he might come with a challenge but you just can’t be confident that he’ll do that. Dashel Drasher needed the run at Haydock and should step forward from that so is also respected.
ITV RACING STARTS NOW!
Ascot 1.50 “For The Love Of Racing” Handicap Chase (Class 2) 2m3f
Not the best race on the card today with not many of these looking well handicapped. SAINT DE VASSY has been hard to catch right but his win last time suggests he is going the right way. He has a lot of potential over fences and if improving for the comeback he could easily defy a penalty for that win and I expect him to run a big race at the head of the market.
Mengli Khan on his first run for Nicky Henderson is an eye catching inclusion in the field and if he can give them weight he will be the main danger. Smarty Wild is also unlikely to be far away.
Haydock 2.05 Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) 2m3f
This is fiercely competitive but I do think ALBERT’S BACK has quite a big chance. This 6yo ran with plenty of credit without winning over fences last season and returned with a convincing win back over hurdles at Wetherby following a 259-day absence last month. He is up 5lb but remains unexposed over timber and it would be no surprise to see him step forward again and take this. That latest form would potentially have been franked if Haafapiece had stood up at the last at Cheltenham last week too.
War Lord won over C&D 4 weeks ago and has to be respected off the back of that. At a bigger price it wouldn’t surprise me if Mcgowan’s Pass ran better than his odds are suggesting.
Ascot 2.25 Porsche Long Walk Hurdle (Grade 1) 3m1/2f
WHAT A RACE! I’ve been really looking forward to this one and I have to be with the improving THYME HILL. He stayed on relentlessly to win the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury last month always holding Paisley Park in second and with the promise of more to come is strongly fancied to follow up. The latter shaped really well and connections would have been delighted. He is entitled to improve from that too but I think the selection is capable of even better and should confirm that form.
It’s not just between the top 2 though with the thriving Main Fact also in with a chance here. He landed a remarkable 10-timer at Haydock last time and you’d be foolish to completely rule him out again. Roksana is a likeable mare and she remains unexposed over this trip so if the principals disappoint she’ll be lurking.
Haydock 2.40 Betfair Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase (Class 2) 3m11/2f
This looks a good quality handicap and a horse that has done well for us this season HILL SIXTEEN is back out. He bolted up over fences at Ffos Las on stable debut and followed that up with a good win back over hurdles at Newbury. He stayed on so well to reel in Lil Rockerfeller who got first run and that form looks rock solid. He has another big penalty but off 138 he should still take some beating in this field.
Sojourn is probably the main danger on paper but at a price Highest Sun back at this trip could be a good bet for the places as he is much better at 3 miles plus.
Ascot 3.00 Good Luck Hollie In SPOTY Silver Cup Handicap Chase (Listed Race) 3m
Regal Encore returns at the grand old age of 12 to try and add a third renewal of this race to his great record. He has won already this season but disappointed last time and carries a 8lb more than last years win. I much prefer THE CONDITIONAL who ran very well on his seasonal debut at Newbury and should be competitive off this mark. He usually needs the run so I expect him to be near his best and looks a worthy favourite (at the time of writing).
The main danger is Espoir De Guye who is improving all the time but this is his toughest test yet and has to prove himself at the trip. Quarenta isn’t the most straightforward but is another one to fear if putting his best forward like he did over C&D last time. 5lb rise makes life tougher.
Ascot 3.35 Betfair Exchange Trophy (Grade 3) 1m71/2f
An early Christmas Cracker to finish! BUZZ powered away from his rivals to win over C&D last time and he has to be my selection here with more to come. The handicapper has reacted raising him 11lb but he should relish the strong pace here and I can see him picking rivals off one by one before hitting the line strong. His tactical speed could prove vital in the closing stages.
Benson is a tricky customer but he has really put it altogether lately and arrives on a four-timer. I can see him running well but might just get out-battled in the closing stages. Time Flies By has been well backed now sent handicapping but I’m not convinced by his profile and he needs to show much more.
ITV Racing Each Way Trixie
With 6 races live on ITV on Saturday afternoon we’ve picked out our three most confident selections and combined them to make an Each Way Trixie.
ITV Racing Each Way Trixie
Haydock 2.40 Hill Sixteen
Ascot 3.00 The Conditional
Ascot 3.35 Buzz
Pays 90/1!
Ascot Win Double
Here are our two strongest bets at Ascot on Saturday afternoon combined to try and maximise profit. Not to be missed!
