Ascot Saturday

1.15 Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle

2m 7f 118y

Dans Le Vent is an unlikely winner here, but will be ridden to achieve a minor place and can do so, if repeating the form that saw him beaten just a length at Chepstow on his penultimate start. He found hold-up tactics hard to pull off in a slowly run handicap at Windsor last time, but this track will suit better and he’s one for each-way multiples at around 20/1.

Nicky Henderson’s handicap debutant Bective Abbey could be anything and gets to go handicapping at this level after just two starts, so is impossible to weigh up. He’s been easy enough to back, however, and a continued drift would be a concern, given the market rarely seems to get much wrong with the Seven Barrows yard.

1.50 Ebony Horse Club Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) 2m 7f 180y

Jingko Blue maintained his unbeaten record over fences in the Hampton Novices’ Chase at Windsor last time, but not before given a fright by Lowry’s Bar, who travelled better than the winner until making a mess of the third-last fence, which presented the race to the well-regarded winner, albeit with the runner-up rallying to be beaten just two and a quarter lengths at the line. I fancy Lowry’s Bar can reverse that form, particularly with Jingko Blue penalised for that Grade 2 success.

In truth, Lowry’s Bar has taken at least as well to fences as the favourite and his jumping was assured aside from that untimely error. He’s an improving and likeable sort and quite a confident choice to gain revenge, with Cheltenham beckoning should he do so.

2.25 Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle 2m 3f 58y

Jour D’Evasion would have been of interest here, but Henry Daly’s horses seem to have taken a wrong turn of late, with six of the stable’s last 20 runners failing to complete the course and that tempers confidence significantly. Perhaps the race is best left to the well-handicapped Joyeux Machin, who entered a thousand notebooks when a never-nearer third under a 7lb claimer at Wetherby last time. The stewards enquired about the apparent tender handling that day, noting the explanation of young Harry Atkins, but took no other action.

Dan Skelton is very good at getting such horses back to form, and the former Paul Nolan runner looks more than capable of winning with Harry Skelton taking over in the saddle.

3.00 Betfair Swinley Handicap Chase 2m 7f 180y

Annsam is another who caught the eye under tender handling here last time, finishing with running left when a creditable fourth to In d’Or over an extended two miles and five furlongs here in December. On that occasion, the stewards failed to ask any questions, despite Adam Wedge never asking for everything at any point in the straight. Annsam is lightly raced in recent years, with a couple of poor runs coming over hurdles. He was a winner over fences at Ludlow, before an injury-enforced absence and is now 2lb lower. He showed last time that he retains most of his old ability and backers will hope that he’s put in the race this time.

3.37 Betfair Ascot Chase (Grade 1) 2m 5f 8y

This feels like a carbon-copy of last year’s race, with L’Homme Presse and Pic D’orhy again going head to head, and Corbetts Cross filling in as the Gold Cup aspirant needing revving up for Cheltenham – a role played by Ahoy Senor last term. On that occasion, Harry Cobden was able to steal an easy lead on Pic D’orhy and that could again be on the cards, with L’Homme Presse not looking happy at this track 12 months ago and running below his reappearance form. Corbetts Cross is also in need of further and isn’t as slick a jumper as the selection, so it will be disappointing if Paul Nicholls can’t end his Grade 1 drought here.

Haydock Saturday

3.40 WKD Rendlesham Hurdle (Grade 2) 3m 58y

Beauport has always been a smart hurdler and looked better than ever when a close third in the Long Walk Hurdle on his latest start, jumping boldly in front and just lacking the speed to repel a couple of late challengers.

He’s in a weaker contest here and will be very hard to catch, if aggressive tactics are employed again. He did take a while to get his confidence back, after losing his way as a novice chaser, but has come roaring back this season, his Long Walk effort coming on the back of a thumping win over fences at Ascot and he will presumably use this as a stepping stone to Aintree, where owners Philippa and Bryan Burrough will hope he can emulate their 1983 winner, Corbiere.

3.15 Oddschecker Grand National Trial Handicap Chase 3m 4f 97y

There have been rumours that his preparation has been interrupted, which would not be ideal, but the extra distance and overnight rain are both positives for Royale Pagaille, and he is capable of defying a stiff impost, with many of his rivals racing from out of the handicap.

He was below form in the Peter Marsh here last time, but has an excellent course record all told, and Sean Bowen is not a bad substitute for regular rider Charlie Deutsch. Venetia Williams has her horses back in top form after a short lull last month and Royale Pagaille is a big price if getting back to his best.

Recommended

Dans Le Vent 1.15 Ascot – 1pt e/w 20/1 (general – 5 places)

Lowry’s Bar 1.50 Ascot – 3pts win 2/1 (general)

Joyeux Machin 2.25 Ascot – 1pt win 9/2 (general)

Annsam 3.00 Ascot – 1pt win 15/2 (Ladbrokes, Corals)

Pic D’orhy 3.37 Ascot – 2pts win 15/8 (general)

Beauport 3.40 Haydock – 2pts win 2/1 (general)