There will be nine live races on ITV this Saturday with coverage from the Ascot Chase Raceday, the Grand National Trial Day at Haydock and from Kingwell Hurdle Day at Wincanton.
- 1:15 Ascot: Betfair Novices’ Hurdle – Starzand @ 10/3
- 1:35 Wincanton: BetMGM Kingwell Hurdle – Alexei @ 4/6
- 1:50 Ascot: Injured Jockeys Fund Ambassadors Programme Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase – Thomas Mor @ 10/11
- 2:05 Haydock: Zyn Rendlesham Hurdle – Kabral Du Mathan @ 8/15
- 2:25 Ascot: Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle – Fiercely Proud @ 10/1
- 2:40 Haydock: Albert Bartlett Prestige Novices’ Hurdle – Ubatuba @ 5/1
- 3:00 Ascot: Betfair Swinley Handicap Chase – Invincible Nao @ 12/1
- 3:15 Haydock: William Hill Half A Mill Grand National Trial Handicap Chase – Myretown @ 4/1
- 3:35 Ascot: Betfair Ascot Chase – Jonbon @ 8/15
Ben Pauling’s Mondoui’boy is the favourite for Saturday’s opening live race, a novices’ hurdle over 2m3½f. He won well on his debut for his new trainer at Ludlow last month and that form is as good as any in the race. His odds are short enough in the betting at around the 7/4 mark however, so better value might be found with Philip Hobbs & Johnson White’s Starzand who shouldn’t have any problems with the distance or going.
The Grade 2 Kingwell Hurdle looks to be between Alexei for Joe Tizzard and Rubaud for Paul Nicholls. Rubaud has won the Grade 2 Elite Hurdle over the same course and distance as this race for each of the last three years. Those wins were on November’s good or good to soft ground however and it is predicted to be heavy on Saturday. Alexei won the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham by six lengths on soft going and despite his short price is our pick.
Like the Kingwell Hurdle, just four runners are set to go to post in the Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase and again the race looks to be between the top two in the market. Thomas Mor finished just 2¾ behind Kitzbuhel in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase on Boxing Day and that run suggests he justify favouritism here.
It is difficult to see past Dan Skelton’s Kabral Du Mathan in Haydock’s Rendlesham Hurdle but Henri The Second could be the pick for second in the forecast.
The Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle follows before the fourth Grade 2 of the day in the Albert Bartlett Prestige Novices’ Hurdle. This is an open looking renewal but our pick goes to Olly Murphy’s Ubatuba who is making a big step up in class but has been very impressive in his first two runs this season.
Gary and Josh Moore’s Invincible Nao is our each-way pick for the 3m Swinley Handicap Chase ahead of another big betting heat in Haydock’s Grand National Trial. Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore’s Myretown was leading the Peter Marsh Handicap Chase last month at Haydock before making an error three from home but we’re backing the grey to improve from that and recapture the form which saw him claim the Ultima Handicap Chase at last year’s Cheltenham Festival.
The Grade 1 Ascot Chase is providing a big finish to the live racing at the weekend. All eyes will be on Nicky Henerson’s Jonbon who will be stepping up in trip following his Clarence House Chase victory last month in preparation for a Ryanair Chase bid in March. The ten-year-old should have no problems staying 2m5f but last year’s winner Pic D’orhy and should provide a stern challenge, as should former Arkle winner Edwardstone after his Silviniaco Conti Chase victory just five weeks ago.