Harry Wilson struck with 22-1, 9-2, 4-1 and 15-8 winners last week – find out his ITV4 tips for Ascot and Haydock
Harry Wilson returns with his advice for all six races at Ascot on Saturday – plus the two ITV4 contests at Haydock . . .
12.40 Ascot
Thames Materials Novices' Handicap Hurdle, 2m7½f
Harry's tip: Gotthereintheend
Gotthereintheend showed promise in a Bangor bumper last year and ended his time at Laura Horsfall's with a staying-on second at Warwick in May. That came over 2m, but she has plenty of stamina in her pedigree and her new trainer has wasted no time in upping her in trip on this handicap debut. She’s a full sister to Kerryhill, who won a 3m½f Grade 2 at Doncaster in January, and could prove to have been let in lightly off a mark of 94. Robbie Llewellyn has a fantastic record at Ascot, with two wins, two seconds and a fourth to his name from five runners, which includes victory in this race last year.
1.15 Ascot
Howden Handicap Chase, 2m3f
Harry's tip: Scarface
Scarface was a big improver when tried in cheekpieces last season, winning three of his first four starts in the headgear before producing a fine third in the Silver Trophy at Cheltenham in April. The second from that race has since won off 6lb higher and the fourth has gone in too, so the form looks solid. Scarface produced something in line with his best form when second to Le Patron at Newbury last time, and that run can be marked up as he gave his rivals a few lengths advantage after swerving at the start. He's just 2lb higher than when winning easily at Plumpton in April and I would be surprised if he didn't rate a good bit higher still.
1.50 Ascot
Howden Graduation Chase, 2m5f
Harry's tip: Jungle Boogie
Iroko made a pleasing return when beaten narrowly by Trelawne at Haydock last month and is hard to knock, but these early-season races look essentially to give him experience ahead of the Grand National in April, so he doesn't appeal at short enough odds. The three Irish contenders all have something to recommend, but the lightly raced Jungle Boogie, who was still going well in the Cheltenham Gold Cup before making a race-ending mistake three out, should have no trouble with the drop in trip and could be a major force back at this level.
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2.05 Haydock
Betfred Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase, 3m1½f
Harry's tip: Regal Blue
Last year's winner Famous Bridge is only 2lb higher this time around and probably warrants being favourite with conditions to suit. However, Regal Blue is lightly raced and looks the perfect type for this contest. He's inconsistent, but he's recorded heavy-ground wins here and at Uttoxeter, and that latest victory, which came at the expense of last month's Rehearsal Chase runner-up The Changing Man, suggests he should be capable off just 5lb higher, while he should strip fitter for last month's reappearance.
2.25 Ascot
Howden Long Walk Hurdle (Grade 1), 3m½f
Harry's tip: Crambo
Strong Leader is the one to beat. That said, all but one of his starts have come on left-handed tracks and he tended to drift to his left on his sole outing here last November, which is a slight worry. That second was deemed a career best then, although he was 4lb better off at the weights with winner Blueking D'Oroux and the three behind all turned out to be in decline. I'd rather take him on with Crambo, who got the better of a titanic tussle with Paisley Park to land this race last year and is unbeaten at Ascot. The wheels came off afterwards, but he's been given time to get over his exertions at the spring festivals and this is a great moment to catch him, as he's won first time out in each of his three seasons to date.
2.40 Haydock
Betfred Hat-Trick Heaven Handicap Hurdle, 1m7½f
Harry's tip: Milldam
Milldam finally came good for Jamie Snowden when tackling 2m on heavy ground at Stratford in March, following up a six-and-a-half-length success at Ffos Las with victory at Catterick in February, when he had subsequent Aintree handicap winner El Jefe more than 13 lengths behind, before bettering that again when a neck too good for the useful Playful Saint. He was entitled to need his comeback run after nine months off and should have more to come in conditions that clearly suit.
3.00 Ascot
Howden Silver Cup Handicap Chase, 3m
Harry's tip: Victtorino
Victtorino has become somewhat of an Ascot specialist since coming over from France, winning the Sodexo Gold Cup last November before following up in this contest 12 months ago. I'm not convinced he particularly likes going left-handed, which is why his staying-on third in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury last time was even more eyecatching, and that effort suggests he's well handicapped here off the same mark of 143 (1lb higher than last year). He'll appreciate any rain that falls and should be hard to beat if putting in a less indifferent round of jumping than last time.
3.35 Ascot
Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle, 1m7½f
Harry's tip: Favour And Fortune
A useful horse in bumpers, Favour And Fortune wasted no time in opening his account over hurdles, landing a novice and an introductory race before going down by two and three-quarter lengths to Jango Baie in the Grade 1 Formby at Aintree on Boxing Day. He delivered his best performance when landing the Scottish Champion Hurdle on his handicap debut on his final start in April, form that has received plenty of compliments since, and a 3lb rise should not stop him going in again, especially as he goes very well fresh.
Read more:
Keith Melrose's play of the day at Ascot
'He's going to take an awful lot of beating' - Long Walk Hurdle quotes and insight
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