ITV Racing Tips for Saturday 23rd January – Ascot, Haydock and Taunton

There are eight live races on ITV Racing this weekend (weather depending) and Henry has previewed the cards with a tip for each race. The Clarance House Chase is the feature race at Ascot and that one is due off at 3.35pm.

As always, all our racing tips are free and the odds were at the time of writing and subject to change.

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1:15 Ascot

The first race from Ascot on ITV is a mares hurdle ran over just shy of 3m. Only 5 runners have been declared and only 3 runners hold a realistic chance of winning.

I expect ROKSANA to win this before her sights are set on bigger things at Cheltenham Festival. She has the strongest form in the book where she has been competing with the geldings. She ran a blinder behind Paisley Park and Thyme Hill in the Long Walk Hurdle here at Ascot last time out and an effort here anywhere near that level of form will be good enough to win this.

 

1:30 Haydock

Next up we head to the bog that is Haydock and I’m sure they’ll be strung out like the washing even over this 2m distance in the Supreme Novices Hurdle trial.

I’m happy to chance the mare in this NADA TO PRADA. She has been impressive in winning her last two starts well and she gets weight off her rivals here. She’s unbeaten on heavy ground winning all three starts on it and she’s unbeaten round Haydock winning her only start here. She seems the value play to me here.

 

1:50 Ascot

The 1:50 at Ascot is an intriguing handicap hurdle ran over the intermediate trip 2m4f and appears one of the best betting races of the day with a wide open market.

The one I like is ARRIVEDERCI for the father son combination of Jonjo O’Neill and Jnr. He has a great record on today’s ground winning three from four starts on it. I’m happy to forgive his effort last time out here at Ascot as I think he needed a small break after a bad fall the time before. This step back up in trip seems the right move to me and I expect a bold display over this trip on this ground.

 

2:10 Taunton

We head to Wetherby for one race where Welsh National third Yali Enki heads the market in the Portman Cup Chase ran over 3m4f.

I’m happy to take the odds on favourite on here with IF THE CAP FITS. This horse has a lot of talent and he was a top hurdler in open company. His novice chase comparing has been a little up and down but his run last time out in the Kauto Star Novices Chase, Grade 1 screamed a step up in trip was needed. He was off the bridle early but rallied well to finish third where he was closest at the line. That was over 3m so I’m looking forward to seeing him over this trip. Harry Fry has a great record at the track and he could add another winner to his tally here.

 

2:40 Haydock

The 2:40 from Haydock could take all day to finish as it’s a race just shy of 3m2f on what’s going to be a stamina-sapping conditions.

The one for me is SAM BROWN who well relish these conditions. He won here at Haydock last season which catches the eyes and he’s three from four when running on heavy ground which is key. He returned to form last time out at Carlisle finishing third and doing some decent late work suggesting this type of test would be right up his street.

 

3:00 Ascot

The 3:00 race from Ascot is a handicap Chase and Bennys King heads the market for the Skelton team at 5/1. Another nice wide open contest for punters to get stuck into on this fine Saturday.

The one for me is GOOD BOY BOBBY (NAP). He has some strong form in the book and he could prove to be a better horse that a handicapper in due time. He was well backed last time out when finishing fourth at Cheltenham but stable form was a concern that day so it was a fair run given the circumstances. Twiston-Davies has now hit form and I think this horse is more then capable of winning off his current mark if ridden more prominently which I expect will be the case today.

 

3:15 Haydock

The New One Unibet Hurdle sums up the English 2m hurdle division at the moment as only three runners go to post. I wouldn’t be surprised if Buveur D’Air is a non runner on the day given the conditions.

I think BALLYANDY will win this race regardless. He will be another horse who’ll relish the tough conditions and he has race fitness on his side. He won this last year under similar conditions and I think he can defend his crown.

 

3:35 Ascot

The finale on ITV comes from Ascot and it is a the best race of the day and one racing fans should be really excited about. The Champion Chaser Politologue heads the market and rightly so given how well he won the Tingle Creek last time out jumping like a stag.

However the price is just too short for me and I would favour WAITING PATIENTLY (NB). The Ruth Jefferson charge was an unlucky 2nd in the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day and he is equally effective over today’s trip of 2m1f. His best career moment to date came here when he won the Ascot Chase beating Cue Card which shows he acts at the track. He’s four from six on today’s ground and his stamina could come in handy on what is likely to be a fast run race over 2m1f. I think Hughes will hold onto him for as long as possible and the race could play into the hands of this hold up performer.

A quick mention for Defi Du Seuil who has the class to be involved and it would be great to see the Defi we all know and love them up. However, he can’t be a betting option for me given his recent efforts.

Clarence House Chase preview and betting tip

 

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