Find all previous Seymour Biz racing previews in his weekly column: Saturday Horse Racing Tips.
JP Ryan is stepping in this week for Seymour Biz.
Welcome to this week’s ITV Racing preview, where we have some exciting televised horse races taking place on Saturday across the UK.
At Ascot, we have an impressive line-up including the Bateaux London Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) and the Betfair Ascot Chase (Grade 1), while Haydock Park offers the Betfred Rendlesham Hurdle (Grade 2) and the Betfred Grand National Trial H’cap Chase (Premier Handicap). Meanwhile, Wincanton features the Jenningsbet Kingwell Hurdle (Grade 2) which is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Lucky 15 Bet
2.05 Haydock Green Book 11/4
2.25 Ascot Phoenix Way 5/1
2.40 Haydock Fontaine Collonges 4/1
3.00 Ascot Djelo 15/2
Green Book is a formidable contender for the upcoming grade 2 5-year-old plus hurdle race at 2.05pm, Haydock on Saturday. With a stellar record of four hurdle victories ranging from 2m to 2m 7f on both good to soft and soft ground, Green Book’s latest triumph at Sandown over 2m 7f on good to soft ground saw him outpace Call Me Lord by a remarkable 3 lengths, making him a worthy contender. He is a course winner which also gives confidence to this prediction, even if the market makes him second favourite at 10/3 currently at time of writing.
The highly anticipated 3-mile premier handicap chase at Ascot (2.25pm) is set to be a thrilling affair with some top-notch contenders vying for the prize. One horse to keep a close eye on is Phoenix Way, whose two previous visits to the course have resulted in some of his finest performances over fences. Coming off an impressive showing at Cheltenham, where he hinted that the step back up to this trip would be favourable, Phoenix Way is a strong contender to come out on top. While his stablemate, Revels Hill, is a worthy adversary, Cap du Nord and Danny Kirwan pose bigger threats to his chances of success. Cap du Nord recently returned to form, finishing runner-up in a major Doncaster handicap, while Danny Kirwan is always a force to be reckoned with. Another horse to watch out for is Neon Moon, who may surprise us all.
The Haydock Premier Handicap Chase (2.40pm) promises to be a fiercely contested race, with many of the entrants in with a good chance of clinching victory. One horse that looks especially promising is Fontaine Collonges, who has already demonstrated her skill at this track with a convincing win on her return. With the added benefit of a longer trip, the untested mare could prove a formidable contender for Venetia Williams. C&D winner Tim Pat also looks to be in with a strong chance, with the added distance promising to draw out his stamina. However, the competition is fierce, with Welsh National winner The Two Amigos, last year’s victor Bristol de Mai, and the promising Omar Maretti all offering serious threats to the top spot.
The 2-mile 3-furlong handicap hurdle at Ascot (3pm) promises to be a thrilling race, with several promising contenders vying for the top spot. Djelo is one horse to watch out for, having showcased his impressive skills and flexibility with a decisive victory on his return to Exeter last November. He reaffirmed his potential with a strong showing at Sandown last month, suggesting that this step back up in trip could unlock even further improvement. However, Irish Hill is also looking strong, riding high on the back of two consecutive victories and posing a serious threat to the competition. Fifty Ball, back at this venue, is also worth keeping an eye on, as are Petit Tonnerre and Zoffany Bay, both of whom look promising at the lower end of the weights. With so much talent on display, this is sure to be a race that leaves viewers on the edge of their seats!
Lucky 15 Bet
2.05 Haydock Green Book 11/4
2.25 Ascot Phoenix Way 5/1
2.40 Haydock Fontaine Collonges 4/1
3.00 Ascot Djelo 15/2
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