The Weekend Wager: Raceolly's six tips for Ascot and Haydock

In this week's edition of The Weekend Wager, Raceolly turns his attention to the ITV Racing action from Ascot and Haydock...

1.50 Ascot - Howden Handicap Chase

Every inch a chaser and came to life when presented with a fence last season. Solid start to this season when second behind Grand Sefton runner up Senior Citizen and same again last time out at the track behind Pink Legend who had the advantage of being a Venetia Williams runner at the time of year where they fly in. The first 2 that day pulled 16 lengths clear of the third and although the winner was well beaten at Aintree next time out she was badly hampered at the start and for a front runner that was chance gone and she spat the dummy out. 3lb rise fair for that last time out performance with a 134 rated Smarty Wild 16 lengths behind, 127 rated Flegmatik 20 lengths behind and 142 rated Red Risk 36 lengths behind. 

2.05 Haydock - Virgin Bet Handicap Hurdle

Hart Of Steel returned this season with a brave win over 2 and a half at Carlisle before dropping back to 2 miles at Hexham last month where he was running a huge race until a bad mistake 2 out. Still finished a respectable 3rd that day but without that error would have likely gone much closer. Gone up 1lb for that effort and goes to a track where trainer Donald McCain has a 40% win rate this season after 2 winners from 5 runners. It’s also been a good start to the season for his partnership with Brian Hughes with a 31% win rate (58 winners from 186 rides). Brian Hughes has an excellent partnership with Hart Of Steel also, riding him 4 times for form figures of 112U

2.25 Ascot - Long Walk Hurdle

Ronald Pump always runs his race and is such a consistent performer at the top level which makes him extremely likeable. Always value in the price being from a smaller Irish yard too which appeals even more and form over 3 miles is top class including filling the runner up spot in the 2020 stayers hurdle behind Lisnagar Oscar when losing a shoe and having been struck in to. Missed Cheltenham with a stone bruise injury last season but ran a huge race after a huge break in the Punchestown stayers hurdle behind Klassical Dream on return. Returned this season in the Hattons Grace when second behind superstar Honeysuckle over 2 and half miles after another mammoth break of 190 days and turns up here spot on for a big performance. 

2.40 Haydock - Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase

Buzz De Turconing is interesting in this but Shanty Alley is the selection for in form Ben Case who doesn’t usually book jockey Jack Andrews for a breeze around as the pair have a 38% win rate when combining (3 wins from 8 rides) Returned after a 238 days when trying to lump a massive weight around Uttoxeter but unseated 3 out when getting tired. Didn’t finish out of the top 3 last season from 6 runs and although going up the handicap a fair bit did place off a higher mark than this and finished 2nd off this mark behind one that won a listed handicap next time out and went 14lbs up the handicap. 

3.00 Ascot - Howden Silver Cup Handicap Chase

Belami Des Pictons is weighted to go very well in this and is a danger for sure but price is a little skinny and there’s plenty more to like about the double figure odds available about Checkitout. Started the season well here at the track when second behind Larry before finishing 3rd at Aintree when 4lbs out of the handicap, now back down to his proper handicap mark here so 4lb better off for that solid performance last time out and off the same mark as when second on seasonal debut. 

3.35 Ascot - Betfair Exchange Trophy

Metier was an impressive course winner last season on his way to going off just 11/2 for the Supreme novice hurdle behind Appreciate It but things didn’t go to plan wasn’t seen for another 263 days. Returned this season in a listed handicap hurdle at Sandown in a first time tongue tie but jockey felt like there was an issue and pulled him up after going off hot favourite for the competitive affair. Now finds himself at a huge double figure price on the back of those efforts which is huge considering he won the grade 1 Tolworth hurdle last season and is still only 5.