Saturday’s ITV Racing Tips from Haydock’s Betfair Chase Meeting and Ascot

Haydock hosts the Betfair Chase live on ITV Racing today where Bristol De Mai looks the race for the fourth time, he has tough opposition in the form of A Plus Tard though and that is just one of seven featured races on ITV today.

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1:50 Haydock

The 1:50 race from Haydock is a Graduation Chase over 2m5f. Only four runners line up for this one.

It’s a no bet race realistically but BRAVEMANSGAME (8/13) should prove a cut about this lot. A really impressive chasing debut at Newton Abbot where he jumped and travelled well throughout. He beat Fusil Raffles decisively there and I’d expect a similar scenario for Itchy Feet here.

 

2:05 Ascot

The first race on ITV from Ascot is a cracker in my opinion. The Grade 2 over 2m5f only have six declared but all six have potential and are capable of winning.

My selection here is MASTER TOMMYTUCKER (9/2). He was just touched off by the favourite for this Dashel Drasher in a similar contest here at Ascot back in February but there is a chance that form can be reversed here. Dashel Drasher is likely to need the run and Master Tommytucker has blew the cobwebs away with a run at the end of October over hurdles. That should have put him spot on for this and he may have a fitness edge. Defi Du Seoul and Lostintranslation are obviously interesting but it’s hard to make a case for them on recent form.

 

2:25 Haydock

The 2:25 from Haydock is arguably the best betting race of the day. It’s a 3m handicap hurdle where 16 are set to go post. The current market leader is Riggs at 11/2 which shows it’s certainly a wide open betting heat.

The one I like is RIGHTPLACERIGHTTIME NAP (6/1). She has snook in right at the bottom of the handicap here. She was a winner over fences last time out and she now reverts to hurdling off what appears to be a very attractive mark. Emmet Mullins knows the time of day and I can see the money coming for this horse before the off. Harry Kimber takes off a further 7lb.

 

2:40 Ascot

The 2:40 at Ascot is the Coral Hurdle, another Grade 2 to enjoy, this time over the intermediate 2m4f distance.

My selection in this is SONG FOR SOMEONE (6/1). He always tends to show his best form at the start of the season as he did when winning this race last year. He again could get a soft lead and prove difficult to pass. He’s been freshened up after a couple of lacklustre efforts to finish last season and he appears to be a decent enough price given he is 6/1 and  Buzz is even money.

 

3:00 Haydock

The feature is up next at Haydock, the Grade 1 Betfair Chase over 3m1f. Bristol De Mai bids to make history and win a fourth Betfair Chase.

However, I like A PLUS TARD (11/8) here. He just appears to be comfortably the best horse in the race on all known form. He is a Grade 1 winner last season and he finished an unlucky second in the Gold Cup. The ground has come good for him for today and if he’s fit, he’ll win this. Bristol De Mai would like it softer of course and the others aren’t good enough.

 

3:15 Ascot

The last race from Ascot on ITV is a 2m handicap chase where Before Midnight and Sky Pirate renew their rivalry after last months Cheltenham victory for Before Midnight.

However, I think SKY PIRATE (9/2) can reverse that form today. He was weak in the market last time out and appeared in need of the run as it appeared he took a blow approaching the last and looked like he’d come on for that effort. He’s a classy animal as we seen last year when winning the competitive Grand Annual at the Featival off top weight and I think Ascot will suit him well.

 

3:35 Haydock

The final race is another handicap chase with a small field. This time, over 3m1f and 7 runners have been declared.

I’d expect STRICTLYADANCER NB (13/8) to land the hat-trick here. A winner on his last two starts including at Cheltenham last weekend, trainer Christian Williams has found the ideal opportunity to land the hat-trick. This isn’t the deepest of races and he’s an improving sort who gets weight off all of his rivals. He’s unexposed and the rest appear pretty exposed. As long as he’s come out of his last weeks victory well, I’d expect another victory here.

 

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