It’s a big afternoon of jumps action on Saturday with marquee meetings coming from Ascot and Haydock Park.
You can watch all the action via live streaming when logged into MansionBet and our tipster has previewed both cards, with selections below for all seven races at Haydock (12.10pm-3.35pm) on Betfair Chase Day.
12.10 – Betfair Weighed In Podcast Newton Novices’ Hurdle (Listed, 2m)
The form of Do Your Job’s success at Ayr last month received a boost this week when the runner-up went in with plenty to spare at Warwick.
Michael Scudamore’s charge bids for a hat-trick now upped in class and is due the greatest of respect. Severance also made a pleasing start over jumps winning at Carlisle 12 days ago and can play a hand in the finish, but it’s maybe a surprise to find FLIC OU VOYOU the biggest of the trio in the betting.
He’s been very impressive in his three wins this autumn and may have plenty more to offer. He can give Paul Nicholls a second success in three years in this race.
Selection: Flic Ou Voyou @ 5/2
12.40 – Betfair Supports Safer Gambling Week Handicap Chase (3m1½f)
The first of some devilishly tough handicaps on the Haydock card as 12 line-up for this staying chase. Deise Aba was as good as ever in his wins at Catterick and Sandown early in the year before a respectable fifth in the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival.
He should go well if stripping fit, though the market has identified his chance.
BOB MAHLER was two spots (and five-lengths) in front of him in that Kim Muir run and, with a run behind him and a wind operation since that Cheltenham run four weeks ago, Warren Greatrex’s charge may go well in what is essentially a class-drop in all but name.
Bob Mahler @ 14/1
13.15 – Back And Lay On Betfair Exchange Graduation Chase (2m5½f)
Master Tommytucker has the class to take out these rivals but it will be seat of the pants stuff in all probability as the quirky frontrunner has more falls (three) than wins (two) in a six-race career over fences that has been blighted by absences.
Dashel Drasher is a threat though he lacks a run and so GOOD BOY BOBBY is the call. He won with something to spare on reappearance at Bangor and the second franked that form when scoring at Chepstow on Friday.
He also had some really promising form last season as a novice and is the safest option for a Nigel Twiston-Davies yard that often does well on this card.
Selection: Good Boy Bobby @ 4/1
13.50 – Betfair Racing Only Bettor Handicap Hurdle (2m3f)
Kid Commando did it well from the front at Ascot last month on handicap bow and has scope for better things but is not guaranteed a soft lead and, in any case, the closers will be taking dead aim at him here as he goes up in trip.
Our Power and handicap debutant Shakem Up’arry are certainly worth considering but UMBRIGADO also has claims. He ran well over three-miles on this card a year ago and is a distance winner previously.
He faced two tough races at Ascot and Cheltenham after that reappearance here and could still have plenty progress in him. With David Pipe’s team in super form and Fergus Gillard taking off a handy 7lb, he looks sure to go close.
Selection: Umbrigado @ 6/1
14.25 – Betfair Exchange Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3, 3m)
A pair of Irish raiders head the market with former Champion Bumper heroine Relegate representing Colm Murphy and impressive Troytown (chase) winner The Jam Man for Ronan McNally.
The latter must prove as effective over these obstacles from a career-high mark and has a big job on, despite his rider’s claim.
Imperial Alcazar is unexposed and could have a major say for Fergal O’Brien and Paddy Brennan now sent handicapping, while Main Fact is on a remarkable roll for David Pipe (does well in this race) but, at the prices, WHO DARES WINS is a viable contender.
A Grade 2 novice chase winner in February, he scored at Royal Ascot in June and remains fit from his exploits on the level. He has gone close from higher marks over timber before and, on this track, should get the trip.
Selection: Who Dares Wins @ 16/1
15.00 – Betfair Chase (Grade 1, 3m1½f)
Bristol De Mai looks for a third Betfair Chase win and the grey would join greats like Kauto Star and Cue Card if he can regain this mantle having lost it.
He had no answer to LOSTINTRANSLATION a year ago however, Colin Tizzard’s charge travelling strongly and winning with something to spare.
The selection patently wasn’t right when flopping in the King George as Clan Des Obeaux retained that Boxing Day showpiece but he had both today’s rivals behind when third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup subsequently.
Paul Nicholls has been bullish on his hopes for Clan Des Obeaux – beaten in this in 2018 – but he’ll do well to stop Lostintranslation on what is a first run of the season for each of the leading contenders.
Selection: Lostintranslation @ 6/4
15.35 – My Odds Boost On Betfair Stayers’ Handicap Chase (3m4½f)
Kings Monarch returned to action with a good win at Ffos Las (3m) and can probably maintain superiority over runner-up Financial Outcome, though the latter should fare better than he did since at Wetherby where an early mistake rattled him.
DON POLI made a decent fist of things at Aintree in a Veterans’ contest on debut for the Skelton team recently.
He’s not the force of yore but perhaps this through stamina test will be just the tonic for a safe jumper that stays all day. He would be a popular winner of the finale.
Selection: Don Poli @ 9/2
*All odds correct at time of writing
