ITV Racing Tips for Wetherby and Ascot (01/11/25)

1:15 Wetherby

The opener from Wetherby is a handicap chase over the extended 2m3f trip.

I like STRONG FOUNDATIONS (13/2) in here. I suspect he’ll make a better chaser than hurdler based on his size and a mark of 105 looks lenient. He has strong form in handicap hurdles last season, and if he can improve slightly for the switch to fences, he’ll be bang there. He gets into this off a lovely racing weight of 10’5 and the early market vibes are encouraging.

1:30 Ascot

Our first race live from Ascot is a novice handicap chase over 2m3f.

The Ben Pauling team are in decent nick and NO QUESTIONS ASKED (2/1) can make a winning chase debut here. A three-time winner over hurdles during his novice campaign last season, it’s no surprise to see him switched to fences already. A previous point winner, he looks set to improve further this season. He can start by landing this.

1:50 Wetherby

Three runners go to post for the listed Mares Hurdle at 1:50.

Champion Hurdler GOLDEN ACE (1/2) should make a winning return to action here. She has the best form out the three runners, obviously, and if she is anywhere near race fitness, she’ll be winning this back against her own sex.

2:05 Ascot

The 2:05 from Ascot is a trappy handicap chase over 2m1f.

I’ve landed on GENERAL MEDRANO (8/1) EW here for the red-hot Emma Lavelle yard. A decent winner over 2m at Newbury last season, he also ran very respectably in the Grand Annual, finishing a good 8th in that competitive affair. The yard’s horses seem to be ready to go first time out based on recent evidence, and General Medrano has won first time out in the past. He’s off a workable current mark of 140, and I think he’ll go close.

2:22 Wetherby

Next up, we have the Grade 2 bet365 Hurdle for the staying novice hurdlers over 3m.

It is POTTERS CHARM (9/4) NB for me, who I believe is an interesting recruit to the open staying hurdling division. A Grade 1 winner over hurdles last season, he looked a star in the making early in the season. Things didn’t quite go to plan at Cheltenham in March, but I think he can improve again now going over three miles. The division is crying out for new blood, and hopefully he can step up.

2:57 Wetherby

The Grade 2 Charlie Hall Chase is over 3 miles.

I think PROTEKTORAT (5/2) will be primed for this. A really consistent Grade 1 performer over a variety of distances, this sharp 3 miles on decent ground should be ideal for him. His record fresh is encouraging, and with Skelton targeting the trainer’s title, these are the races he’ll want to ensure his stars are 100% ready for. It’s a weak renewal and you’d be disappointed if he wasn’t bang there.

3:10 Ascot

The 3:10 from Ascot is a handicap hurdle over 2 miles.

I think DANCE AND GLANCE (7/1) NAP will love this type of test, and I’m expecting a bold bid. The five-year-old will relish a strong gallop over the minimum trip, and he’ll get that today. He’s a strong traveller, so the faster they go, the better. He’s got a reappearance run under his belt when finishing a close second at Newton Abbot in October. That should have put him spot on for this.

3:30 Wetherby

The 3:30 from Wetherby is another handicap hurdle over 2 miles.

It’s PURE GOLD (11/2) for me here, who comes into this contest thriving and in career-best form. A winner on three of her last four starts, she bolted up last time out, coming from last to first. I think the better race may bring out further improvement as they’ll likely go a decent gallop, which will suit her style. A mark of 110 may well still underestimate he,r given her current form.

3:45 Ascot

We end proceedings with the Gold Cup Handicap Chase over 3 miles.

The one for me is MARBLE SANDS (9/1) EW. A decent novice chaser, he won as listed level last season at Carlisle in a competitive four-runner affair. The 9-year-old is a previous winner here at Ascot, and I think he’s handicapped to go well off a mark of 142. He’s another one that will enjoy this type of test with a decent gallop looking assured again here.