It’s a bumper offering from ITV Racing this Saturday afternoon as they boast nine live races across three venues, with the highlight being the Grade 1 Betfair Ascot Chase.
That is one of five contests from Ascot, while three from Haydock Park include the Grand National Trial at 2.45 and there is also the Grade 2 Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton to enjoy.
ITV Racing are on air from 1.00-4.00 on ITV1 and Enda McElhinney has selections for all over Saturday’s terrestrial action.
1.15 Ascot
A tricky start to proceedings with a field of 17 lining up over three-miles in this Challenger Stayers Hurdle Series Qualifier. The returning Bective Abbey is one to pay close attention to for Nicky Henderson but he lacks a run and that could be problematic. BERTIE B didn’t really get a chance to test his stamina at Kelso last time and the prior Plumpton winner is worth another try.
- Selection: Bertie B @ 20/1 with Betfred
1.36 Wincanton
Golden Ace has disappointed in her two runs this season and so Jeremy Scott’s mare needs to bounce back dropped in trip. She has a fighting chance on these terms but BURDETT ROAD’s trajectory is of an upward nature having followed November’s Greatwood Hurdle win at Cheltenham with a highly commendable third behind Constitution Hill in the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. He can see off his elders for trainer James Owen.
- Selection: Burdett Road @ 4/6 with Betfred
1.50 Ascot
JINGO BLUE had more in hand than the winning margin suggested when beating Lowry’s Bar at Windsor last month. Nicky Henderson’s charge carries a 5lb penalty for that but this track may unpick more holes in the jumping of the runner-up. Nico de Boinville’s partner can remain unbeaten over fences, with his former stablemate Peaky Boy a possible threat.
- Selection: Jingo Blue @ 6/5 with Betfred
2.05 Haydock
The Flier Begley and Nocte Volatus are solid contenders but WHISTLEINTHEDARK is a very well handicapped horse, as he showed when finding only one too good at Warwick last week. Laura Morgan’s charge could be hard to topple if he’s in the same mood now.
- Selection: Whistleinthedark @ 6/1 with Betfred
2.25 Ascot
INTO THE PARK bombed out on seasonal reappearance at Chepstow in October in a valuable contest but ran much better at Exeter over just shy of this trip when second-best in November. He’s still on a nice mark and the Philip Hobbs & Johnson White teams are in cracking tune. He’s an each-way chance.
- Selection: Into The Park @ 16/1 with Betfred
2.40 Haydock
Last year’s winner Botox Has likes it here and should run well while Nemean Lion will have a say if his stamina holds out but BEAUPORT reverted to hurdles with an excellent third from the front in the Grade 1 Long Walk at Ascot in December and the Nigel Twiston-Davies inmate may have been very nicely placed now.
- Selection: Beauport @ 15/8 with Betfred
3.00 Ascot
Last year’s winner Threeunderthrufive should go well again as he renews acquaintances with Victtorino, who was fourth behind him in this contest 12 months ago but won the day when they met here before Christmas. HASTHING did well to win at Windsor four weeks ago after being hampered and shuffling backwards. Stamina won out for Jonjo O’Neill’s partner and a mark of 133 may not be his ceiling if his jumping continues to improve.
- Selection: Hasthing @ 7/2 with Betfred
3.15 Haydock
Top-weight Royale Pagaille loves it here but was let down by his jumping last month and had to be pulled up, so there are some concerns now. Galia Des Liteaux should run her race for the Dan Skelton team but APPLE AWAY is an interesting contender for Lucinda Russell and Derek Fox. She enjoyed a fine first season over fences last term and has twice finished second in Listed Mares’ races of late. This mark of 138 could be exploitable.
- Selection: Apple Away @ 15/2 with Betfred
3.37 Ascot
Pic D’orhy won this a year ago in good style from the front with L’homme Presse unable to reel him in. Both return off the back of winning efforts and are respected but CORBETTS CROSS is taken to deny them. Emmet Mullins’ charge wasn’t suited by the King George last time and while stamina is a forte, he shouldn’t be fazed by this trip around here, particularly if the pace is honest throughout.
- Selection: Corbetts Cross @ 9/4 with Betfred
