Saturday racing tips: Best bets for Ascot and Haydock

19 Jan

Tom Clee

Our tipster talks you through his win double and four Lucky 15 selections from the weekend racecards.

14.25 – Handicap Hurdle (Ascot)

Starting off with a Grade 3 handicap hurdle, I like the look of Evan Williams’ OXWICH BAY .

After a disappointing bumper debut, the six-year-old has been incredibly consistent (132-221) and has won over both 1m 7f and 2m 4f, proving he can make the step up when required.

He’s really well-handicapped at 10-3 compared to favourite and top weight Jenkins who carries 11-8.

Mitchell Bastyan has ridden once before and finished a narrow second at Warwick, so let’s hope he can go one better here.

15.00 – Class 2 Handicap Chase (Ascot)

I’m going for Betway ambassador Harry Fry’s ACTING LASS .

The seven-year-old has been great for his yard so far with three wins and a runner-up to Finian’s Oscar at this course in February last year.

All three victories have come in commanding style and he is proven over this 2m 5f trip.

With Noel Fehily riding once again, I think he’s a safe bet here.

15.15 – Grade 2 Peter Marsh Chase (Haydock)

I tipped Bristol De Mai here last year, when he coasted home by over 20 lengths, so I’m hoping ROCK THE KASBAH can produce something similar.

He's a horse that rarely lets me down and comes into the race following a decent season.

A big win in October at Chepstow got him off the mark this campaign, where he beat the likes of Ballykan and Sizing Codelco.

The eight-year-old does hold a victory on this course, albeit in 2015, and champion jockey Richard Johnson always seems to get the best out of him.

15.35 – Clarence House Chase (Ascot)

Despite Un De Sceaux looking a certainty for some, I’m taking him on with Nicky Henderon’s BRAIN POWER .

Having proven himself as a decent hurdler, he started this season with a commanding display over fences at Kempton.

He then travelled very keenly and led throughout the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase, but a bad jump on the last unfortunately unseated David Mullins.

However, I think he can take a lot of positives from that performance. If he travels anywhere near what he’s capable of, I think he’ll be right up there.

WIN DOUBLE

ACTING LASS | BRAIN POWER