Rory Delargy’s Saturday ITV Racing tips
13:15 Haydock – Josh The Boss
13:30 Ascot – Pic DOrhy
13:50 Haydock – Iroko
14:10 Punchestown – Brighterdaysahead
14:30 Haydock – One Big Bang
14:45 Ascot – Colonel Mustard
15:05 Haydock – Royale Pagaille
15:20 Ascot – Martator
15:40 Haydock – Pepe Le Moko
*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 – Josh The Boss
Beat The Bat is interesting but I’ve landed on Josh The Boss. He’s a big enough price after his Silver Trophy handicap win at Chepstow last month. The form has held up incredibly well and those in behind have won seven races. He won that with a bit to spare and the 7lb rise for that win isn’t harsh at all. The shorter trip should be ideal and he has form on soft ground.
13:30 Ascot – Pic DOrhy
It’s impossible to oppose Pic DOrhy. There will be a little bit of rain but it won’t make the ground too soft. He won this race last year in good style and there are a lot of questions over Dashel Drasher. Pic DOrhy is brilliant over this 2m 5f distance and it should be a walk in the park for him. Le Patron is the only other runner who could win but I’m not taking on Paul Nicholls’ runner.
13:50 Haydock – Iroko
I liked Iroko a lot last season. He shaped well at Cheltenham given he didn’t have a good preparation for the Festival. He’s a really exciting prospect and he’s bound to show improvement. It’d be mad if he isn’t winning this given how the conditions will suit him perfectly.
14:10 Punchestown – Brighterdaysahead
I’m a big fan of Brighterdaysahead for Gordon Elliott but I’m not sure she’s a Champion Hurdler. She’s a little vulnerable here and she looks happier going left handed. I’m tempted by her at the prices though! She’s better than her rating of 153 and I’ll probably end up backing her despite worries about the trip and track. I’ve backed her plenty of times so I can’t desert her now!
14:30 Haydock – One Big Bang
I respect Doyen Quest’s chances for the Skelton’s but a week is a quick turnaround. I’m with One Big Bang, who is unexposed and open to improvement. The handicapper hasn’t got to grips with him and he arrived from nowhere last season. He won both of his starts over three miles last season and he stays for days. He’s had a run when second at Newton Abbot in October to set him up for this for James Owen.
14:45 Ascot – Colonel Mustard
Colonel Mustard is a frustrating horse but he impressed at Sligo last time out. He ran well in his only visit to Ascot and he gets weight from Blueking Doroux. I’m not mad on anything in this race and you probably want to be with Golden Ace long term but I’m getting drawn in by Colonel Mustard.
15:05 Haydock – Royale Pagaille
Ahoy Senor was eye-catching last time out but he seems a better horse at Aintree than any other track. Royale Pagaille has everything in his favour and he’s sure to run well. He won this race last year and we’ve only seen him once since when he fell at Cheltenham in January. Venetia Williams has had him for longer than usual so he should be further forward. He’s a Haydock specialist too.
15:20 Ascot – Martator
I tipped up Martator last time out and I’m with him again. This is a slightly stronger race but he won with a bit in hand at Ascot earlier this month. His jumping isn’t perfect but he has scope to improve. He’s young enough to do that and he can defy his small 6lbs rise in the weights.
15:40 Haydock – Pepe Le Moko
I like Fontaine Collonges based on the usual theory about a Venetia Williams runner coming back after a lay-off, however, my pick is Pepe Le Moko for Jane Williams. He ran at the October meeting at Cheltenham when finishing sixth. Her horses are running well and he shaped as if he needed the run last time out. He’s only been dropped 1lb for that and he’ll be a lot better after that run.
Rory Delargy’s Saturday ITV Racing tips
13:15 Haydock – Josh The Boss
13:30 Ascot – Pic DOrhy
13:50 Haydock – Iroko
14:10 Punchestown – Brighterdaysahead
14:30 Haydock – One Big Bang
14:45 Ascot – Colonel Mustard
15:05 Haydock – Royale Pagaille
15:20 Ascot – Martator
15:40 Haydock – Pepe Le Moko
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at the time of publishing but subject to change.
READ MORE
- Get all the latest Horse Racing News and Racing Tips at Paddy Power News
- David Power Jockeys’ Cup: All you need to know about the biggest prize in Jumps racing history
- Horse Racing: Get your one month free trial of Racing TV
- Pertemps Final qualification races and eligible horses for Cheltenham Festival 2025
THE PADDY POWER GUIDE TO SAFER GAMBLING – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
