Matt Chapman: Yee-has ahoy if these hopes come in at Ascot and Wetherby

I might be enjoying the Breeders’ Cup at Churchill Downs on Attheraces Saturday night, but it’s jumping that takes centre stage over in the UK with ITV showing both the cards from Ascot and Wetherby on Saturday afternoon.

Let’s get straight into the action, and the 1.50pm at Ascot is a limited handicap chase over 2m3f.

Massive amounts of pace on show here with a load of front runners and it might just be that Sternrubin gets to the front and is the speed of the speed in a chase. He goes well at Ascot for Philip Hobbs. It’s a tricky race to call.

There’s a Listed handicap chase over 2m1f at 2.25pm. I also like a front-runner here, with the classy Shantou Rock going to take to pegging back for the top pair of Dan and Harry Skelton. Goes well first time out.

Next up is a Listed handicap hurdle over nearly 2m at 3.00pm. I’ll have a little each-way bet on Divin Bere in this. He pulled up on his last two starts over jumps, but had a confidence booster on the Flat recently for Paul Nicholls and could return to his best.

And finally at Ascot a Grade 3 handicap chase over 3m at 3.35pm. Plenty of pace on here, and the in form Traffic Fluide might be the one for Gary Moore. He ran really well at Chepstow first time out and although 2lb higher could still be good enough.

Over at Wetherby ITV show the Listed mares’ hurdle over 2m at 2.05pm. Irish Roe didn’t do at all badly when last seen in the Scottish Champion Hurdle and might well be good enough on the return for Peter Atkinson. Lady Buttons to beat.

It’s the feature Grade 2 Charlie Hall over 3m at 2.40pm. A poor renewal, and I’ll go with Definitly Red, running for Brian Ellison who is out for the Breeders’ Cup. My hope is tough and goes from the front and will be hard to peg back.

And finally, the last race shown at Wetherby is a Grade 2 hurdle over 3m at 3.15pm. Wholestone would love more mud, but he’s a tough cookie and talented with a BHA rating of 158. A third in the Stayers’ Hurdle stands out here.

So best of luck and hope for Yeeehaaas. You hear me Paddy?