ITV Racing Tips: A Trio of Selections for Ascot and Haydock on Saturday

The final Saturday of racing before Christmas features ITV action from Ascot - where the Long Walk Hurdle is the highlight - and Haydock where the Tommy Whittle Chase takes centre stage. Billy Grimshaw makes the case for three selections in this ITV Racing preview...

14:05 Haydock - Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase

A typically competitive renewal of the Tommy Whittle can go to the Nicky Richards-trained FAMOUS BRIDGE. It's fair to say that the nine year old has been underwhelming in two runs so far this season but a look back through his form shows form figures of 11U317 when racing at Haydock with the third placed finish achieved in this race last year off a 2lb higher mark. He has twice won at Haydock off this mark or higher so he certainly looks weighted to perform well today. At around 10/1 and with bookmakers - including Boylesports - paying four places on each-way bets, he looks a value option.

14:25 Ascot - Long Walk Hurdle

JP McManus holds a strong hand with Honesty Policy and Impose Toi vying for favouritism ahead of Strong Leader and Crambo - the winner of the last two renewals of this contest at 9/1 and 5/1. The Fergal O'Brien trained 8-year old is priced at around the 9/1 mark again for this year's renewal and plenty will fancy that as a rock solid each-way bet particularly with many bookmakers - including Boylesports - paying four places. The feeling though is that this year's race has a much better feel to it so he is expected to find one or two too good come the finish. Strong Leader won the Grade 2 bet365 Hurdle at Wetherby on seasonal debut and then was worn down under a penalty by the reopposing Impose Toi last time in the Newbury Long Distance Hurdle. He will be better off at the weights today but the worry is that he bombed in this race last year. Honesty Policy was a three time winner last season and boasts loads of potential but arrives without a run so I think IMPOSE TOI is the one to side with. His performance at Newbury was perhaps better than the bare form suggests and he can mark himself up as a live Stayers Hurdle candidate with victory in this race.

15:00 Ascot - Howden Silver Cup Handicap Chase

A really competitive 3 mile handicap chase with lots in with chances and, once again, a number of bookmakers - including Boylesports are paying four places on each-way bets. Pic Ric, Blow Your Wad and Johnnywho are vying for favouritism here and its the JP McManus owned JOHNNYWHO that I fancy to win. He lined up as favourite for last year's Kim Muir and was only beaten a neck before finishing a creditable fifth in the Irish Grand National. His sole appearance this season was in the Grand Sefton over the National fences at Aintree but, carrying top weight over too short a trip, meant he never really challenged. I think today could be the day where he lands a decent pot.