It’s a magnificent Saturday afternoon of jumps racing action across Britain with graded contests at Ascot, Haydock and Wincanton launching a bumper weekend.
Haydock stages their traditional Grand National Trial (2.40pm) alongside the Grade 2 Rendlesham Hurdle and the Prestige Novices’ Hurdle on a seven-race card from 1.30pm-5.00pm with the ground ‘soft, heavy in places’ on Merseyside.
You can watch all the action from Haydock – as well as every UK race on Saturday – via live streaming when logged into MansionBet. Our tipster has selections for Saturday’s racing at Haydock.
1.30 – williamhill.com Best Odds Guaranteed Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (2m4f)
Marown ran a very good race in a Grade 2 novice contest over C&D four weeks ago in second spot and joins the likes of top-weight Bold Plan in making appeal, while its certainly worth paying close attention to Venetia Williams’ Farinet in the betting. THE FERRY MASTER is 2-3 over fences and there was lots to like about the way he attacked his jumping tests at Newcastle in November. He was quick away from them too and, despite a drop in trip, the prevailing ground should ensure this is enough of a stamina test for him to thrive.
Selection: The Ferry Master @ 4/1
2.05 – William Hill Rendlesham Hurdle (Grade 2, 3m)
Last year’s wide-margin winner Emitom comes back over hurdles for another tilt at this, while Stayers’ Hurdle hero Lisnagar Oscar joins him in making his first start post wind-op. Cheltenham next month could be the main target for Rebecca Curtis’ charge. Itchy Feet has seen the fine time On The Blind Side has enjoyed since reverting to hurdles this season and looks to follow suit now. That Nicky Henderson runner is much-respected given his gutsy defeat of Lil Rockefeller last time but MAIN FACT is likely better than he showed in the Grade 1 Long Walk at Ascot in December. His winning sequence was ended there but his earlier C&D handicap win was a big run and he could have solid place claims after a short break for the David Pipe team.
Selection: Main Fact @ 13/2
2.40 – William Hill Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (Grade 3, 3m4½f)
A Grand National Trial that seemingly lacks a major Aintree candidate – at least for this year’s race.
Warwick’s Classic Chase winner Notachance has excellent claims again but he sees a big turnaround at the weights with THE TWO AMIGOS compared to when they met at Bangor earlier in the season. Nicky Martin’s runner has twice chased home Secret Reprieve since at Chepstow, including in the Welsh National last month, and could be ready to go in again with conditions/trip favourable.
Sojourn and Enqarde are youngsters on the way up, and both are afforded plenty of respect.
Selection: The Two Amigos @ 6/1
3.14 – William Hill Extra Places Every Day Juvenile Hurdle (1m7½f)
NASSALAM shed his unbeaten record last month in the Grade 1 Finale at Chepstow coming off second-best in a sustained battle with Adagio but, in truth, he lost little else. The pair were miles clear of the remainder – including Elham Valley – and Gary Moore’s charge can pick up some compensation at the primary expense of Monmiral – unbeaten himself in two starts after joining Pail Nicholls from France.
Selection: Nassalam @ 11/10
3.50 – Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (3m)
The unexposed Champagne Platinum could be a major contender for Nicky Henderson in the JP McManus silks given he caught the eye back over timber on seasonal bow at Newbury in November taking third spot. The market will latch onto his hopes and there could be more value to be had with LOOK MY WAY. He was a good second behind Mint Condition at Wetherby on Boxing Day over 2m5½f (winner contest following Grade 2 here) and can offer plenty more upped in distance with a tongue-tie added and Aaron Anderson taking off 7lb. Bushypark, Everglow and last month’s C&D winner Potters Hedger are all respected.
Selection: Look My Way @ 15/2
4.25 – Albert Bartlett Prestige Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2, 3m)
The aforementioned MINT CONDITION built on that Wetherby success when second in the Grade 2 Leamington Novices’ Hurdle at Warwick (2m5f, heavy) last month. He conceded first run to Admirel and Make Me A Believer before splitting the pair in a frenetic finish. He tries 3m for the first time and can see it out strongly. Beatthebullet and Young Buck have previous, with Paul Nicholls’ recent Chepstow winner capable of turning the tables on his old rival if Sean Bowen can delay their challenge as long as possible.
Selection: Mint Condition @ 9/4
5.00 – Follow willhillracing On Twitter Open Hunters’ Chase (2m6f)
A Hunters Chase to conclude matters and Wishing And Hoping will be doing just that in his attempt to go one better than last year’s second behind Alcala. Alex Edwards’ mount will make the running and burn off plenty of challengers in doing so. Bob And Co beat Alcala at Fontwell a week after his win in this last year, maybe getting a softened-up version of him given the proximity to his victory here. THE WORLDS END looked set to justify favouritism on his hunter chase bow at Warwick recently before tiring late on. That should be a benefit now and the Grade 1-winning staying hurdler could have the class to get some compensation for his backers.
Selection: The Worlds End @ 9/4
*All odds correct at time of writing
