Find all previous Seymour Biz racing previews in his weekly column: Saturday Horse Racing Tips.
If you’re not being pulled into the Christmas shopping this Saturday, there is some very good racing to be caught on ITV Racing this week, with Ascot and Haydock providing the entertainment.
Although there are only six contests being televised, the cards definitely show plenty of quality. The four races from Ascot feature a Grade 1, two Class 1 handicaps, and a Class 2 handicap. The two races being televised from Haydock are a Listed Mares Novices Hurdle and the Class 2 Tommy Whittle Handicap.
So from these races, I’ve picked the best value bets and this week’s Lucky Fifteen. It just remains for me to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year. All the best, everyone!
Saturday Lucky Fifteen
2.25 Ascot. Jet Blue
3.00 Ascot, Henry’s Friend
3.35 Ascot. Sticktotheplan
2.05 Haydock. Saladins Son
Bet this lucky 15 on Bet365
Beginning at Ascot with the 2.25, the Howden Long Walk Hurdle, a Grade 1 contest run over 3m 1/2f. One of the favourites is Nicky Henderson’s Impose Toi, who has won his last two outings, including a Grade 2 at Newbury, but there seems to be a cloud over the yard.
Gordon Elliott’s Honesty Policy rattled up a treble at the end of last season in novice company. In April, he ran second in a Grade 1 at Punchestown. This is his first run since.
Fergal O’Brien’s Crambo goes for his third win in this race, but is now an 8-year-old.
Olly Murphy’s Strong Leader was a disappointing favourite for this last year. He won a Grade 2 at Wetherby in early November, then ran second to Impose Toi at Newbury.
But I prefer David Cottin’s Jet Blue, who comes here after two runs in France, including a second in Grade 1 company last month. The booking of Harry Cobden should not be ignored.
At 3.00 it is the Howden Silver Cup Handicap Chase, a Grade 3 race run over 3 miles. Heading the betting is Tom Lacey’s Blow Your Wad, who was last seen here at Ascot in November, running 3rd in a race won by Ben Pauling’s Henry’s Friend. Blow Your Wad is 3lbs better off here.
Venetia Williams’s Victtorino loves it round here and has won the last two runnings of this race. He has 4lbs more than last year but is still expected to run well.
Jonjo and AJ O’Neill’s Johnnywho ran 5th over the Grand National fences at Aintree last month, and I can’t help thinking that’s where Jonjo has his sights set for this horse next April. Henry’s Friend looks the strongest contender here, and he is my selection.
The Ascot Rotary Club Festive Handicap Hurdle is at 3.35. This Grade 3 race is run over 1m 7 1/2f. I hope they get this race off on time. Otherwise, they will be racing in the dark, and the horses will need headlights.
Top weight is Joe Tizzard’s Alexei, who won over this course and distance last month, then went on to win a Grade 3 at Cheltenham later in the month. He will take all the catching, but maybe 12 stone may hold him back.
Gary and Josh Moore’s Mondo Man has shown some sparks of good form. He has been well backed for this and is on a very low weight. A bold run is expected.
But I like Olly Murphy’s Sticktotheplan, who has been running really well in novice company, winning three times already this year. This step up to handicaps is no surprise.
Moving to Haydock and the 2.05 is the Betfred Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase. This is a Class 2 contest run over 3m 1 1/2f. This race is always a hotly contested affair, and this year is no exception, with several horses vying for favouritism.
Anthony Honeyball sends Saladin Son up to Merseyside for this race. He was a triple winner last season and ran here at Haydock last month over this distance and ran second to Nigel Twiston-Davies’s Top Of The Bill, but Saladin Son is now 14lbs better off.
Emma Lavelle’s My Silver Lining has put in a couple of fair efforts in his runs so far this season, but needs to improve to feature here.
Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith’s Grande Geste has been runner-up on his last two outings as he looks for his first ever victory. He will find this tough, so I go for Saladins Son.
Saturday Lucky Fifteen
2.25 Ascot. Jet Blue
3.00 Ascot, Henry’s Friend
3.35 Ascot. Sticktotheplan
2.05 Haydock. Saladins Son
Bet this lucky 15 on Bet365
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