*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
Ascot 13:15 Roksana
ITV coverage starts Saturday at Ascot with this Grade 2 mares’ hurdle over nearly 3m. This is often not the most competitive and it’s hard to get away from ROKSANA who has been in tremendous form this season for Dan and Harry Skelton. She started off with a decent win at Wetherby and then chased home Paisley Park and Thyme Hill at this course. That form should be good enough to score.
Haydock 13:30 Llandinabo Lad
A classy Grade 2 for novice hurdlers over nearly 2m. I’m a big fan of LLANDINABO LAD who followed two wins with a good second at Ascot last time when defeated by My Drogo. He loves the mud and that Ascot effort was still a fine run for Tom Symonds. I think he will take all the beating here even though he has to give weight away.
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Ascot 13:50 Arrivederci (E/W)
Now a handicap hurdle over nearly 2m4f. Wide open heat. I will give ARRIVEDERCI another go for the Jonjo O’Neill sneior and junior. The gelding scored well on seasonal debut at Wetherby and had every chance next time when falling at Haydock. He was then disappointing down in trip at this track but now back up to 2m4f can hopefully get back to his best form which gives him strong eachway claims.
Taunton 14:10 Yala Enki
One race to enjoy from Taunton in this chase over an extended 3m4f. A big chance for YALA ENKI to get a win on the board for Paul Nicholls and Bryony Frost. Conditions really favour the gelding and there was nothing wrong with his third behind Secret Reprieve in the Welsh National.
Haydock 14:40 Potters Legend (E/W)
This is the Grade 2 Peter Marsh Handicap over an extended 3m1f. There are some lightly raced improvers in here but I’m sticking with a confirmed staying mudlark in old boy POTTERS LEGEND. He was far from disgraced at Sandown last time yet has been dropped a pound. Then Lucy Wadham gelding will love running off 10st 4lb and is worth a few quid eachway.
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Ascot 15:00 Good Boy Bobby
A handicap chase here over 2m5f. Another tricky race to sort out. Everything is set for a big effort from the improver GOOD BOY BOBBY who ran well in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup last time. He’ll appreciate this slightly longer trip and is not a badly handicapped horse. All the market leaders are in form and probably don’t have much in hand of the handicapper. The Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained gelding might be the one with a bit more to give.
Haydock 15:15 Ballyandy
Another Grade 2 in a hurdle contest over nearly 2m. Obviously Buveur d’Air takes some stopping at his best but in the conditions I’ll take a chance of an upset with BALLYANDY. He has to give 6lb away which means he is 12lb badly in with the favourite. But he is fit and well and will at least put up a fight from Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies.
Ascot 15:35 Waiting Patiently
And finally from Ascot the feature Grade 1 Clarence House Chase over 2m1f. I’m all over WAITING PATIENTLY who I think will come storming through late under Brian Hughes. Ruth Jefferson’s star runs this track well and did fine on return when second to Frodon in the King George. He’s always been a horse to attack speed for me and I think he will love returning to this trip.
So, best of luck and pray for Yeeehaaas. You hear me Paddy?
Matt Chapman’s best bets for Saturday
Ascot 13:15 Roksana
Haydock 13:30 Llandinabo Lad
Ascot 13:50 Arrivederci (E/W)
Taunton 14:10 Yala Enki
Haydock 14:40 Potters Legend (E/W)
Ascot 15:00 Good Boy Bobby
Haydock 15:15 Ballyandy
Ascot 15:35 Waiting Patiently
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
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