ITV Racing Preview: Patience needed for a winner in the Ascot Chase

There’s another fantastic Saturday of racing lined up with superb renewals at Ascot, Haydock, and Wincanton.

And the ITV crew will be at all four courses to track the action. A fantastic renewal of the Ascot Chase tops the bill, but there are a handful of other cracking races.

The Ladbrokes News crew take a look at the cards and present our best tips.

NAP – Black Corton – 1:50, Ascot

Cheltenham-bound Black Corton warms up for the festival with a go at the Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase at Ascot – and we’re all aboard.

The crack novice has won six of his last seven starts since June, including the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Paul Nicholls’ seven-year-old is a star and will be a major player in the RSA Chase at Prestbury Park.

Bryony Frost takes the mount once again and she has a fantastic relationship with him, aboard on six of the wins previously mentioned.

He’s a fairly short favourite here but should have little trouble on the trip.

NB –Waiting Patiently – 3:35, Ascot

What a race we have in store for this Grade 1 Ascot Chase – arguably the best in years.

It’s a particularly high-calibre renewal so picking a winner will be difficult. Any of Top Notch, Coney Island, Cue Card, Frodon, or Speredek could hose up.

However, we really like the look of Waiting Patiently at the prices on offer. Top Notch is the currently edging favouritism but Ruth Jefferson’s charge has been utterly brilliant this season.

The seven-year-old has won five of his last five starts, jumps brilliantly, and conditions will be perfect for him.

Notch should be the biggest danger but Waiting Patiently has arguably more improvement in him and is worth the extra odds on offer.

Lively Longshot – Yala Enki – 3:15, Haydock

If you’re going to go big, go big with someone you trust. And when it comes to a Lively Longshot, there’s few we trust more than Yala Enki – particularly at Haydock.

Venetia’s Williams’ charge goes in the Grand National Trial Handicap Chase at the Liverpool course and loves it around here.

It’s a field full of quality including Blaklion and The Dutchman, but this is going to be a 3m 4f slog. And Yala Enki loves a big trip on heavy ground.

Taking everything into account – weight, conditions, marks – Williams’ eight-year-old has a sneak of a big win here.

ITV Racing Tips

1:50 Ascot – Black Corton (NAP)

2:05 Haydock – Agrapart

2:25 Ascot – Master Dee

2:45 Wincanton – Flying Tiger e/w

3:00 Ascot – La Patriote

3:15 Haydock – Yala Enki e/w (Lively Longshot)

3:35 Ascot – Waiting Patiently (NB)

Click here for the latest Horse Racing odds.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing