Today's Horse Racing Tips: Five bets on a stellar day

There is a fantastic day of racing ahead, and I have picked out five bets across the cards at Ascot and Haydock.

Ascot Tips

13:50 – 3m Bateaux London Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase (Grade 2)

Highly regarded by trainer Kerry Lee, DEMACHINE (1 point win bet at 11/4) returns to the scene of his comfortable course and distance victory in November and can take his record to 3-4 over fences. Having made a pleasing chase debut at Uttoxeter, he once again impressed here at Ascot before suffering his first defeat at Newbury when last seen (sent off as the 9/4 favourite). He has undergone wind surgery since that run and has been freshened up in preparation for this. The step back up in trip should suit and this will tell connections whether his Grade 1 Cheltenham Festival entry is realistic. Full Back, winner of his last two starts by a combined distance of almost 40-lengths, looks to be the biggest danger.

14:25 – 3m “My Oddsboost” On Betfair Swinley Chase (Listed)

Kim Bailey has his runners in excellent form and can register another winner courtesy of NEWTIDE (NAP – 2 point win bet at 9/2). This lightly-raced chaser has won two of his four starts to date, including a gutsy success in a Grade 2 for novices at Wetherby last season. He subsequently ran at the Cheltenham Festival and then made his return to action at Haydock in November. He finished a respectable third that day, may well have needed the run and comes here following wind surgery. He is a strong stayer over this trip and is reunited with the excellent David Bass, who has ridden plenty of winners in recent weeks. Hill Sixteen can chase home the selection.

15:00 – 2m3½f Betfair Cheltenham Free Bet Pot Builder Handicap Hurdle (Class 2)

David Pipe and Tom Scudamore team up with KEPAGGE (1 point win bet at 9/1), who won his first three starts under rules by a combined distance of over 14-lengths. He has looked a strong stayer over this sort of trip and has shaped as though he would get further. However, that didn’t work out at Warwick last time out and he drops back down in distance today. He should now be fully race fit and has a nice weight off a 2lb lower handicap mark.

Haydock Tips

14:05 – 3m½f  William Hill Rendlesham Hurdle (Grade 2)

EMITOM (1 point win bet at 4/1) was a very comfortable eight-length winner of this race last year and can take his course record to 2-2 with another success today. Fourth in the Grade 1 Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, this Warren Greatrex-trained seven-year-old has since been tried over the larger obstacles. Having been beaten by just a neck on his chasing debut, he was well-beaten at Ffos Las last time out and reverts to hurdling today. He too has had wind surgery since his last run and could be hard to beat despite a 6lb penalty. Gavin Sheehan is back on board and travels to Haydock for just this one ride. On The Blind Side and Main Fact, both ultra-consistent performers, complete the shortlist.

14:40 – 3m4½f William Hill Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

This race looks set to be a gruelling test of stamina, and I am once again siding with the progressive seven-year-old NOTACHANCE (1 point win bet at 11/2), who has been aimed at this contest since his Grade 3 victory at Warwick last month. The step up from three miles proved no problem for this smooth-traveling type and he once again showed a good attitude to finish strongly. Whilst another rise to his handicap mark will make this tougher, he is proven on testing ground and looks a very good prospect going forward. Sojourn, another thoroughly likeable staying chaser, is next best.