Traders Tips: Five Saturday Selections for a Lucky 31

Ignore the football, the racing is where it's at this Saturday....

Racing is back with a bang tomorrow with Ascot staging a bumper nine-race card! Waiting Patiently is the headline act as he bids to win his second consecutive Betfair Ascot Chase, having fallen in the King George when last seen on a racecourse. I’ve picked out five of our main fancies for a Lucky 31, listed below:

15:55 Ascot – Waiting Patiently @ 6/4

We really like Waiting Patiently again here who should get the race run to suit around a track he’s already proven at, having won this last year. He still seemed to be tanking in the King George when brought down and that short spin will hopefully have him spot on for this here. We’re taking on Cyrname at 4/1 who won’t get the same easy lead he did last time and may struggle to produce that type of performance again in this grade.

15:20 Ascot – Getaway Trump @ 11/4

Hard to look away from the front two here, though we prefer Getaway Trump to Al Dancer, whose form looks that bit stronger based on his run in the Challow Hurdle. The trip and strong pace should really suit and he looks sure to go close off a mark of 142. From an each-way perspective we thought Didtheyleaveyououtto was interesting considering his Ascot form and could be a bet at 13/2.

14:10 Ascot – Black Corton @ 5/2

We quite like Black Corton here for Paul Nicholls who tends to dominate these races, and the fact BC has excellent form over course and distance (he hammered Ms Parfois in the Reynoldstown last year) bodes well for his chances here. The only danger looks to be the unexposed Reikers Island, in a race that lacks any depth, though at the prices Black Corton is the preferred option.

15:35 Haydock – Ballyoptic @ 15/2

We quite like Ballyoptic for Nigel Twiston Davies, who tends to have a great record in staying chases around here. He was disappointing last time out (unsuited by conditions), although prior to that he was travelling like the winner in the Becher Chase when falling at the 10th, suggesting he could be well handicapped off a mark of 155. The ground and trip should suit him a lot better than some of his opposition and if he gets into a decent rhythm jumping he could be hard to beat. Might also be worth chancing for the Grand National at 33/1 in anticipation of a big run tomorrow.

13:00 Ascot – Tight Call @ 5/1

Tight Call is one we’re very keen on for Tim Vaughan off a lowly mark of 122. He ran a cracker in a competitive race at Wincanton last time, just being outstayed by the well treated Tedham late on, so this slight drop in trip looks very likely to suit.

Elsewhere we like the look of these three:

Killultagh Vic (14:30 Gowran)
Down The Highway (14:55 Haydock)
Now McGinty (13:35 Ascot)

Lucky 31 Selections:

13.00 Ascot – Tight Call @ 5/1
14.10 Ascot – Black Corton @ 5/2
15.20 Ascot – Getaway Trump @ 11/4
15.35 Haydock – Ballyoptic @ 15/2
15.55 Ascot – Waiting Patiently @ 6/4

Best of luck, see you on the other side!

*All prices correct at time of posting

It’s all kicking shortly, get over to PaddyPower.com now