Haydock and Ascot Betting Tips for ITV Racing on Saturday 21st December
1:50 Ascot
The first of four live races from Ascot is the 1:50. Four runners go to post for the Graduation Chase over 2m5f.
The one I like is JAMES DU BERLAIS (10/3). I think he’ll get his own way out in front here and his slick jumping can be a useful asset. Despite falling last time out, he has always jumped well in competitive handicaps so this 4 runner race should be fine. He was a fine second in the Topham at Aintree in April where he looked the winner until the elbow. Ascot should suit his front running style well and he may just have too much pace for Fil Dor and Jungle Boogie. Iroko is being targeted at the Grand National so it’s hard to trust him to be at 100%. Daryl Jacob takes the ride on the selection and he can make a winning return to the saddle.
2:05 Haydock
The 2:05 from Haydock is the Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase over an extended 3m1f trip.
I will chance EAST STREET (9/2) here who’s been on a real roll since he was fitted with a visor. He won two chase starts easily before following up back over hurdles last time out here at Haydock. He’s full of confidence and jockey Callum Pritchard is well worth is 7lb claim. I’m happy to stick with East Street given his current run of form. The trip and ground will be absolutely fine for him.
2:25 Ascot
The 2:25 from Ascot is the feature, the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle over an extended 3 miles.
I think STRONG LEADER (9/4) NB is the new kid on the block and I do like his chances of following up his victory last time out at Newbury. He was a Grade 1 winner at Aintree over this trip back in April and the 7-year-old looks to be going the right way. He jumped as well as he ever has last time out which is encouraging because that has always been his weakness. He’s got bags of stamina and a serious engine. Sean Bowen is as good as any jockey at the moment and he can land a deserved Grade 1 victory in ITV here.
2:40 Haydock
It’s back to Haydock for the 2:40, a trappy 2m handicap hurdle.
It is LUNA DE LA MER (9/2) I like in this. He hasn’t been seen for 582 days but the yard can ready one after a break so I’m not overly concerned. A decent bunker sort who won his second start at Kelso back in April 2023 with the likes of Here Come Georgie in behind that day. He was a decent winner on hurdles debut at Aintree and if he’s ready to go, I really like his chance. The yard form gives me optimism as they are banging in winners at the moment.
3:00 Ascot
The 3:00 is the competitive Silver Cup Handicap Chase over 3m.
At the prices, I like TRELAWNE (11/2) here for the Kim Bailey yard. A progressive hurdler originally, he always looked a natural chaser. A winner on chase debut last November at Carlisle, things didn’t quite go to plan for the rest of the season but it’s easy to forgive that. He returned to action with a fine victory at Haydock this season when jumping well and showing a willling attitude to fend off Iroko. He can continue improving this season. He will sit handy here which I like at Ascot and I am hoping he can put his rivals in trouble with his assured and accurate jumping we seen at Haydock.
3:35 Ascot
The final race on ITV is the 3:35 from Ascot and it is a handicap hurdle over 2m.
I think BE AWARE (9/2) NAP is the one to be with here. A progressive handicapper whose turn looks near. I believe he is better than his current mark of 137. He was a fine second last time out in the Greatwood where he came from way off the pace to finish a close second behind Burdett Road. The strong pace again here will suit and I’d expect Skelton to sit him a little closer to the pace today so he isn’t left with too much to do. Compensation awaits for that unlucky second-placed effort at Cheltenham.
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