Horse Racing Tips: Mick Fitzgerald’s Saturday selections for ITV Racing

Top TV pundit Mick Fitz is all over the tellybox action at Ascot, Haydock and Wincanton.

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

We have a couple of really competitive races from Ascot, plus a Grand National trial at Haydock with the weights now revealed for the big one in April.

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13:50 Ascot – Annual Invictus

Annual Invictus got very badly outpaced at Plumpton and then finished to great effect. He has already won twice over fences this season including a win at Cheltenham on decent ground. He wears cheek pieces for the first time here to help him travel better and they may well be the answer. He has not run over 3m under rules, however, he did win a point-to- point over this trip in his younger days. Does He Know is the obvious danger but most of his best form is on better ground. I would be fearful of Doyen Breed too as he stays really well. He showed that when finishing well last time at Warwick.

14:05 Haydock – Thomas Darby

Thomas Darby ran a blinder at Ascot in the Long Walk Hurdle when fourth to Champ in December. He has won the only time he has run on heavy ground, so I’m taking on trust he handles the conditions he’ll face on Saturday. Proven mudlarks Molly Ollys Wishes and Top Ville Ben will be of interest if it gets attritional.

14:25 Ascot – Fiddlerontheroof

Fiddlerontheroof is on my shortlist for the Aintree Grand National. It was a very good run in the Ladbrokes Chase at Newbury when he finished second to Cloudy Glen when last seen and was also runner-up at the Cheltenham Festival last year to Monkfish. He won very nicely on soft ground at Carlisle at the start of this season. Caribean Boy is another who has Aintree on his mind and won at Kempton last time over 3m for the first time. Fortescue was a long way behind the selection at Newbury but has really found his mojo. Truckers Lodge could well be the value play in an each-way punt as he ran well in the Welsh National. He has been dropped 3lbs and likes the ground.

14:40 Haydock – Secret Reprieve

I am torn between Haydock specialist Bristol de Mai and Secret Reprieve. Evan Williams’ runner gets lots of weight (21lbs) off the grey and that is the deciding factor for me. He went into the Welsh National as the defending champ but had no run under his belt this season and it cost him. He did really well to finish fifth but surely he can be more competitive now with that run under his belt. I am punting on that being the case. Sam Brown ran a career best last time and another effort like that will see him bang there. Bristol de Mai has not had a mention at his beloved Haydock. Is this race coming too soon after a tough race at Lingfield? We will soon see. He has run seven times at Haydock, winning five, coming second once and pulling up on quick ground this year. That is some record and too good to be ignored for the places.

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    15:00 Ascot – Good Risk At All

    Good Risk at All is chucked in on his bumper form and stepping up in trip to nearly 2m 4f is what he has been crying out for. He ran better than the finishing result at Warwick too when second to Barrichello. It was only his third run over hurdles when chucked in a handicap and he looked very green. He beat the runner up in last weekend’s Betfair Hurdle (I Like to Move It) in a bumper last February and he has strong form.

    15:20 Wincanton – Adagio

    Adagio has not run since a very good second when carrying top weight at Cheltenham in the Greatwood Hurdle. That is strong form and he gave 13lb to the winner West Cork that day. Goshen bounced back to form and is a huge threat now he is back firing on a right-handed track. His last run was only two weeks ago though and Adagio is a fresher horse.

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    15:38 Ascot – Fakir D’oudairies

    Fakir D’oudairies won the Melling Chase at Aintree last season, beating proven graded performers. He was messy in the early part of the race last time at Thurles behind Allaho but he won at Clonmel on soft ground last November. In between those runs he ran a good race in the John Durkan Chase when fourth to Allaho and this contest looks a really good fit for him. Mister Fisher beat the subsequent Denman Chase winner Eldorado Allen at Kempton and showed he handles soft ground and is a big danger. However, I’m just a fraction concerned with this downhill, uphill track may not play to his strengths.

    Dashel Drasher, on the other hand, loves Ascot and he is definitely a player. He handles the ground and will run well at his favourite venue.

    Lostintranslation is the value play each-way at a what could be a big price considering his form. He won over course and distance in November and has won some good races in the past and handles soft ground. It wouldn’t be the biggest shock to see him win.

    Saturday’s betting tips:

    13:50 Ascot – Annual Invictus
    14:05 Haydock – Thomas Darby
    14:25 Ascot – Fiddlerontheroof
    14:40 Haydock – Secret Reprieve
    15:00 Ascot – Good Risk At All
    15:20 Wincanton – Adagio
    15:38 Ascot – Fakir D’oudairies

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

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