*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.
Matt Chapman’s Saturday ITV Tips:
13:50 Haydock – Hitman
14:05 Ascot – L’Homme Presse
14:25 Haydock – Get A Tonic (each-way)
14:40 Ascot – Constitution Hill
15:00 Haydock – A Plus Tard
15:15 Ascot – Frero Banbou (each-way)
15:35 Haydock – Lord Du Mesnil (each-way)
13:50 Haydock – Hitman
ITV Saturday gets under way here with a graduation chase over an extended 2m5f. HITMAN, also entered up at Ascot, hasn’t won much of late and only has three wins from thirteen starts which is not great for a horse of his ability. That said, he’s been taking on high class company and really should be too good for this small field even though the trip is as far as he wants to go. Will probably just cruise round for Harry Cobden and Paul Nicholls.
14:05 Ascot – L’Homme Presse
ITV also got to Ascot Saturday for this Grade 2 chase over 2m5f. L’HOMME PRESSE should outclass this field and gets weight from some of his rivals. An outstanding novice chaser for Venetia Williams who landed the Brown Advisory at the Cheltenham Festival, my hope is a former winner at Ascot and this should be the start of him on the road to a possible Gold Cup bid in March. Regular partner Charlie Deutsch is on top.
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14:25 Haydock – Get A Tonic (each-way)
A handicap hurdle over an extended 3m. Many of these are fare from certain to stay this trip in deep ground so it’s a little bit of a minefield from that point of view. I’ll chance the mare GET A TONIC who was upped to this trip in her last two runs last season and won nicely at Ayr in April. The Dan Skelton runner went up 3lb for that but might still have improvement to come against a lot of horses who are probably not that well handicapped. I’ll hope Harry Skelton gets a tune out of her and play each-way.
14:40 Ascot – Constitution Hill
A cracking Grade 2 hurdle over an extended 2m3f. This won’t take long. CONSTITUTION HILL has won his three races by nearly 50l and was an outstanding winner of the Supreme at the Cheltenham Festival. A point-to-point second staying on suggests this slightly longer trip will be no issue and quite simply it will be one of the shocks of the jumps season if he gets beat on seasonal debut for Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville.
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15:00 Haydock – A Plus Tard
This is a Grade 1 chase over an extended 3m1f. Protektorat is no mug for the Skeltons and has a first runs since a wind operation. That said, it’s really hard to get away from A PLUS TARD who was brilliant in this in 2021 and hacked up in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham. Off level weights, he should be too good and the only slight worry has been a market drift leading up to the race. Henry de Bromhead trains and Rachael Blackmore is on top.
15:15 Ascot – Frero Banbou (each-way)
A handicap chase over 2m1f. Edwardstone, the Arkle hero, might just outclass this field but I’ll have a few quid eachway on FRERO BANBOU for Venetia Williams and Charlie Deutsch. My selection returned with a good second to the re-opposing Thyme White at this track in October and is a good bit better off at the weights.
15:35 Haydock – Lord Du Mesnil (each-way)
A handicap chase over an extended 3m1f. LORD DU MESNIL is not one to rely on but he often brings his best form to this track and is well handicapped. Trained by Richard Hobson and ridden by Paul O’Brien, my hope was an encouraging second the other day at a huge price and we all know he stays well and loves the mud. Have a few quid each-way and hope it’s a going day!
So best of luck and pray for Yeeehaaas. You hear me Paddy?
Matt Chapman’s Saturday ITV Tips:
13:50 Haydock – Hitman
14:05 Ascot – L’Homme Presse
14:25 Haydock – Get A Tonic (each-way)
14:40 Ascot – Constitution Hill
15:00 Haydock – A Plus Tard
15:15 Ascot – Frero Banbou (each-way)
15:35 Haydock – Lord Du Mesnil (each-way)
*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.
READ MORE
- Horse Racing Tips: Mick Fitzgerald’s top Saturday picks for Haydock & Ascot
- Horse Racing Tips: Ruby Walsh’s fine fancies for ITV Racing on Saturday
- Horse Racing Tips: Ruby Walsh’s Punchestown picks for Saturday’s action