ITV Racing Tips for Saturday 19th November from Ascot & Haydock

1:50 Haydock

The opener on Saturday’s ITV coverage is the 1:50 at Haydock. It is a Class 2 Graduation Chase over an extended 2m5f.

Obviously, Hitman may or may not run here so it’s a difficult race to assess. I’m happy to chance MINELLA DRAMA (5/1) here. He would have come on bundles for his seasonal debut at Carlisle in a decent race. He was up at the front for a long way before fading late on which suggested he needed it. He has a strong record here at the track and won’t mind the Haydock slog. He should be left alone in front and if he can get into a nice rhythm I’m hoping he’ll prove tough to get by.

 

2:05 Ascot

The first race from Ascot is the 2:05 and it is the Grade 2 1965 Chase over 2m5f.

A race for the multiples as I expect L’HOMME PRESSE (4/7) to prove too good for this lot. Arguably the best novice on this side of the shore last season, he proved he was a top notcher when winning the Brown Advisory at the Cheltenham Festival. He’s talked about highly as a Gold Cup horse and if that’s the case, you’d be expecting him to kick this lot out the way. Any rain would support his claims.

 

2:25 Haydock

The 2:25 race is possibly the best betting race of the day, a competitive staying handicap hurdle over an extended 3m.

I like GOOD RISK AT ALL (5/1) here for the Sam Thomas stable. A really good bumper horse two seasons ago, his novice hurdle campaign was a slow burner but he did go on to win a decent handicap hurdle at Ascot before running respectably enough at Grade 1 level at Aintree. He was certainly open to further improvement this season and he won on his return at Carlisle beating a couple of these in this line-up. He’s still unexposed and with a run under his belt, I’d expect him to go close here. He’ll relish the deep ground too.  With the stayers hurdle division so wide open, 100/1 with William Hill for him to win this and the Stayers Hurdle on March might be worth a few change. Paisley Park followed a similar path at a similar stage of his career.

 

2:40 Ascot

The 2:40 is the Grade 2 Coral Hurdle over an extended 2m3f.

I think the 2:40 is all about enjoying the return of CONSTITUTION HILL (1/5 – no bet). The most exciting horse in training should take the world of beating. I’d say Brewinupastorm is definitely most likely to chase him home for forecast backers over his optimum trip.

 

3:00 Haydock 

The next race from Haydock is the feature, the Grade 1 Betfair Chase over an extended 3m1f.

I like PROTEKTORAT (3/1) NB to cause an upset here. He relished deep ground on a flat track when absolutely bolting up at Aintree around this time last year and this is the first time he’ll get that since. Harry Skelton will have him spot on for this. A Plus Tard is the class angle but this ground has to be a slight concern at anyone wanting to take odds on. Bristol De Mai loves this test but his best days are behind him and the selection is still unexposed and can improve again. I like him here to spring a shock.

 

3:15 Ascot

The last race from Ascot on ITV is the 3:15 contest and it is a handicap chase over 2m1f.

The class horse can defy top weight again here in EDWARDSTONE (11/4) NAP. Weight no object. He was an impressive winner of the Arkle and was impressive all season truth be told. The only disappointment was at Aintree at the end of a hard season and I think he was just ready for a break. He returns this season refreshed and I think although he carries 12 stone and top weight, the rest oft the field don’t appear to have much scope off their own current marks. He’ll do for me. Similar to Frodon a couple weeks back. Nap.

 

3:35 Haydock

The final race on ITV is a competitive staying handicap chase over the same trip at the Betfair Chase. Likely to be an absolute slog for the handicappers on deep ground.

I like the mare here FONTAINE COLLONGES (11/2). I expect Venetia Williams to hit form this week with a few winners now the rain has come and she definitely fits the bill. She loves cut in the ground and I think she’ll enjoy this extreme test based on what we’ve seen of her. Only 7, I think she can continue to progress this season and I like Tom Scudamore in these extreme tests. If the market vibes are encouraging, that’ll suggest she’s ready to go and I think if she is ready to go, she’ll go very close here.

 

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