*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 13:50 – Sevarano
ITV coverage gets under way at Ascot with this decent Grade 2 novice chase over 3m. I want to take a chance here with SEVARANO who is not a certain stayer but who is a horse with plenty of ability. Forget his last run at nearly this trip as he made a mistake at the first and was on the back hoof straight away. Prior to that Sevarano was progressing well and Jonathan Burke might get a good tune for Oliver Sherwood.
The latest racing odds are on PaddyPower.com now
Haydock 14:05 – Ballyoptic
Haydock starts with the Grade 2 Rendlesham Hurdle over an extended 3m. It’s a long time since BALLYOPTIC has run over hurdles but he might just take some passing in this field where many of the big contenders will be held up off the pace.
Ascot 14:25 – Cobolobo
A limited handicap chase with Listed status over 3m. COBOLOBO is improving all the time for Jonjo O’Neill and might be able to carry on the good work here. He stays this distance well and was a good second at Ascot last time behind Enqarde. He’s gone up 1lb for that defeat but still has a good racing weight and Jonjo O’Neill Jr gives my hope every chance.
Haydock 14:40 – Lord Du Mesnil (E/W)
Grand National Trial here which is a handicap chase over an extended 3m4f. Obviously stamina the key here and I’ll have a few quid eachway on LORD DU MESNIL for Richard Hobson and Paul O’Brien who takes off 3lb. My hope has been disappointing this term really, although it’s easy to forget the spin over hurdles first time out.
He was then ninth at Aintree and in the Welsh National when never doing much in conditions that should have suited. That said everything is right here for a good effort and he loves this track. He’s also dropped 3lb in the handicap.
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Ascot 15:00 – Gladiateur Allen
Now a handicap hurdle over an extended 2m3f. This is wide open. There’s just a chance GLADIATEUR ALLEN can blow the field apart. This youngster has only had three runs over hurdles, but looked good when scoring at this track last time. He’s been given a mark of 131 which means he has 10st 7lb to carry which is a fantastic racing weight. Chester Williams takes off another 5lb for Jane Williams. I’ll have a few quid on eachway in a race where many are exposed.
Wincanton 15:18 – Song For Someone
Just the one from this track but it’s the Grade 2 Kingwell Hurdle over nearly 2m. Very hard race to judge with Goshen such an unknown. However, he will have to be right back to his best to see off SONG FOR SOMEONE who has been in rattling good form this term for Tom Symonds and gets Aidan Coleman on top. The International Hurdle winner has turned into a classy beast and can just sit off a likely strong gallop and outstay his rivals.
Ascot 15:35 – Cyrname
This is the big one the Grade 1 Ascot Chase over 2m5f. CYRNAME really should be a good thing here. There’s nothing I can tell you about the Paul Nicholls runner that you don’t know. Quite simply he’s the most talented horse in this race and at his best he would be 1-3 and not a shade of odds-on. His best is hard to predict, but I’ll keep the faith and expect Harry Cobden to make all.
Matt’s Saturday selections
Ascot 13:50 – Sevarano
Haydock 14:05 – Ballyoptic
Ascot 14:25 – Cobolobo
Haydock 14:40 – Lord Du Mesnil (E/W)
Ascot 15:00 – Gladiateur Allen
Wincanton 15:18 – Song For Someone
Ascot 15:35 – Cyrname
*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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