Horse Racing tips: Ruby Walsh’s six best bets at Ascot and Haydock on Saturday

Ruby has cast his eye over Saturday's schedule

Ruby Walsh

By / Horse Racing News, Horse Racing Tips / 4 years ago

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change

Ruby Walsh has named his top picks ahead of a packed Saturday with exciting cards at Ascot and Haydock.

Speaking on the latest episode of Paddy Power’s From The Horse’s Mouth podcast, our resident jockey-turned-pundit has revealed his best bets prior to the action getting underway.

1.50pm, Ascot – Saint Sonnet

I don’t have a strong opinion on this race but I can see where Frank Hickey is coming from when he backs SAINT SONNET and I tend to agree with him. He was really well touted in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, he was well-enough fancied in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup, Aidan Coleman pulled him up when his chance was gone after being badly hampered in the latter and I can see the logic for thinking he could be overpriced in this one.

2.05pm, Haydock – Chirico Vallis

I’m not certain that Colin Tizzard’s horses are absolutely flying, having watched them last week and seen them on TV last Saturday. A number of them were pretty disappointing and War Lord is a short-priced favourite.

So I’m looking at CHIRICO VALLIS. Neil Mulholland trains and Kevin Brogan is very good value for his 7lb claim. That brings Chirico Vallis back down to 11st 5lbs and he would be the one for me.

 

Haydock-Park-Jumps-Racing-2020

2.25pm, Ascot – Thyme Hill

You can back Roksana to beat the rest each-way, but I don’t think she’ll beat THYME HILL or Paisley Park. And I think Thyme Hill will uphold his form against Paisley Park. There is a 3lb swing, but its not enough of a swing for me and I think both horses are likely to improve as much as each other from Newbury. There will be a bit of pace here compared to that Newbury race, with Portrush Ted making a good enough gallop while The Worlds End likes to be handy as well. This will be a truer test than the Newbury race was but I’m a Thyme Hill fan and I’m definitely in the Thyme Hill camp.

2.40pm, Haydock – Sojourn

I would back Frank Hickey’s selection SOJOURN. Roll Again is third-favourite and I’m just not certain about him at this trip on this grip. Meanwhile, Hill Sixteen got a great ride to win the last day over hurdles. This is over fences so if Frank fancies Sojourn, I think the next two in the betting are vulnerable.

 

Haydock Park

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3.00pm, Ascot – Quarenta

There are so many horses that are hard to fancy here. It’s hard to fancy Beware The Bear, Mister Malarky or Sub Lieutenant. All those horses at that end of the betting are hard to fancy. Regal Encore is definitely a better horse at Ascot than he is anywhere else but if you didn’t back him the last day when he won at 14/1, why would you be getting stuck in now at 6/1?

Profile-wise, you’re looking for something that might be improving and I don’t know if there is an improver in here. The handicapper may have The Conditional but I’m going to go for QUARENTA and Jonjo O’Neill. If there is anything that might have stop to improve a little bit more again, it could be him and he won here in November.

3.35pm, Ascot – Benson

I am a Botox Has fan, although I was disappointed with him in the Gerry Feilden. Frank has made a good case for why he can improve from that but I just think 4-year-olds are always vulnerable and I will be waiting for him in the spring when he’s a bit older and a bit stronger to win that big handicap.

BENSON is the one for me. I thought he was value for a bit more than his winning margin at Sandown the last day. Trained by Dr Ricard Newland, Gavin Sheehan rides him and I think he’ll carry the penalty he got for winning there. He won off 127 and he’s up 10lbs but I thought he was a snug enough winner and with 11st 1lb on his back I like him at that weight compared to Buzz or Botox Has.

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change

Ruby Walsh’s bet summary – Saturday, December 19

1.50pm, Ascot – Saint Sonnet
2.05pm, Haydock – Chirico Vallis
2.25pm, Ascot – Thyme Hill
2.40pm, Haydock – Sojourn
3.00pm, Ascot – Quarenta
3.35pm, Ascot – Benson

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