Horse Racing Tips: Matt Chapman’s Best Bets for Ascot, Haydock & Punchestown

Matt Chapman reckons Funambule Sivola (15:15) can continue Venetia Williams' good run.

Matt Chapman Cheltenham

Matt Chapman’s ITV Racing Tips

13:15 Haydock – Carnfunnock
13:30 Ascot – Shishkin
13:50 Haydock – Apple Away
14:05 Ascot – Goshen
14:20 Haydock – Bold Endeavour (each-way)
14.35 Punchestown – State Man
15:00 Haydock – Protektorat
15:15 Ascot – Funambule Sivola
15:35 Haydock – Sidi Ismael

*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.

13:15 Haydock – Carnfunnock

Another manic day on ITV Racing Saturday with nine races starting here with a handicap hurdle over 2m3f. One of the bigger fields on the day. You would have to hope for a bold show from the Irish raider CARNFUNNOCK who knocked into a good one when last seen in Listed company at Ayr.

He’s down in trip here but they should go a stronger gallop than they did when he was last seen and he could still have more to offer for the Crawford stable under Daryl Jacob.

13:30 Ascot – Shishkin

ITV also go to Ascot Saturday starting with this Grade 2 chase over 2m5f. I’ll be bitterly disappointed if SHISHKIN doesn’t dispose of Pic d’Orhy here for Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville.

The former top notch two-miler proved his stamina last season when keeping on really well to land the Bowl Chase at Aintree. He still has loads of speed. Quite simply a class act and still just nine he’s not over the hill quite yet. On ratings he has 11lb in hand.

 

13:50 Haydock – Apple Away

Here’s a Graduation Chase over an extended 2m5f. For many this will be easy for Gaillard du Mesnil, but he has to give 11lb to Grey Dawning and more to APPLE AWAY.

The latter is pitched in the deep end here but has loads of pointing form so chasing really should not be a problem. The mare was a really good hurdler, scoring in Grade 1 company at Aintree, and if she does jump well she might just have more pace than Gaillard who won the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham and is talented but slow. Fingers crossed Lucinda Russell can cause an upset.

14:05 Ascot – Goshen

Here’s Grade 2 hurdle over an extended 2m3f. It’s always scary tipping GOSHEN but if he’s in good shape and in a good mood he can easily win this for Gary Moore and Niall Houlihan, who takes the ride with Jamie Moore sadly injured.

Last year’s winner was impressive in this twelve months ago and while he’s a bit of an enigma he’s still super talented.

Haydock 14.20 – Bold Endeavour (each-way)

Now a handicap hurdle over an extended 3m. An open event. Slate Lane has obvious claims on the four-timer, while Crambo is progressive.

I’ll chance BOLD ENDEAVOUR each-way for Nicky Henderson and James Bowen. My selection stays well – it’s just deep ground and a stiff handicap mark which are the big problems. That said, he was fifth at Cheltenham in the Coral Cup on soft so it’s not impossible he will cope with the surface and his third at Newbury off this rating was not bad.

14.35 Punchestown – State Man

One Grade 1 coming your way from Ireland in the Morgiana Hurdle over an extended 2m.

This is not going to be a betting heat, but all eyes on STATE MAN who remains super talented hurdler for Willie Mullins even though he was made to look very ordinary at Cheltenham when second to Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle. Paul Townend rides for Willie Mullins in a race he should be far too good for the opposition.

 

15:00 Haydock – Protektorat

For many the big one of the day in a Grade 1 chase over an extended 3m1f. After his defeat at Wetherby, I’m happy to stick with last year’s easy winner PROTEKTORAT for the Skelton team of Harry and Dan.

At the age of eight he still might have more to give, and he wasn’t disgraced when last seen and fifth in the Gold Cup. I’ve never felt he really stays the Gold Cup trip at the Cheltenham track, and for me this is his big chance of the season, a bit like Bristol de Mai in years gone by.

15:15 Ascot – Funambule Sivola

A handicap chase over 2m1f. FUNAMBULE SIVOLA has been out of form for a little while now but he’s dropped in the handicap from a recent peak of 163 to 153 and has perfect conditions to bounce back here should he be capable of doing so.

Venetia Williams is having a great November and Ned Fox takes off a useful 5lb.

15:35 Haydock – Sidi Ismael

Finally from Haydock a handicap chase over an extended 3m1f. SIDI ISMAEL stays well, and while under 12st it won’t be easy, I’ll stick with him for David Pipe and Jack Tudor.

The six time winner was in fine form at Ffos Las in April and fitness should not be a worry for the return for the Pond House team. Hopefully, he can pounce late as is usually held up. So best of luck and pray for Yeeehaaas. You hear me Paddy?

Matt Chapman’s Horse Racing Tips

13:15 Haydock – Carnfunnock
13:30 Ascot – Shishkin
13:50 Haydock – Apple Away
14:05 Ascot – Goshen
14:20 Haydock – Bold Endeavour (each-way)
14.35 Punchestown – State Man
15:00 Haydock – Protektorat
15:15 Ascot – Funambule Sivola
15:35 Haydock – Sidi Ismael

*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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