ITV Racing Tips: Buveur D’Air and Politologue fancied at Haydock and Ascot
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It’s another busy weekend of racing and the ITV cameras will be there to show every stride from eight televised races at Ascot, Taunton and Haydock.
There are plenty of exciting contests to tune into, but the particular stand-out races come from Ascot with the bet365 Handicap Chase at 15:00 and Clarence House Chase at 15:35.
Ed Chamberlain and the ITV crew get us underway in the 13:15 at Ascot, plus the Weatherby’s Portman Cup Steeple Chase sandwiched between the action at Taunton too.
Without further ado, we’ve plucked three ITV Racing tips to take you past the post….
15:00 Ascot – bet365 Handicap Chase
Good Boy Bobby (9/2), Bennys King (5/1) and Dashel Drasher (6/1) head the betting for a race which has all the ingredients of being a highly competitive showdown.
Nigel Twiston-Davies will be hoping Good Boy Bobby can continue his promising form which has seen his eight-year-old finish fourth, second and first in his last three runs and comes into the race on relatively low mileage.
Dashel Drasher beat Itchy Feet and Caribean Boy when outsider of three in a Graduation Chase last month. He will be worth keeping tabs on as Jeremy Scott hopes to record another victory at Ascot with Matt Griffiths in the saddle.
Elsewhere, Benny’s King won on heavy ground last time out at Ascot in December and looks a promising shout for our ambassador Dan Skelton. A 7lb rise in weight could also work in his favour if he runs well.
15:15 Haydock – The New One Unibet Hurdle
Pending an inspection, all eyes will be on the 1/2 favourite Buveur D’Air on his return from injury over the 1m 7f course.
The ten-year-old dual Champion Hurdle scorer could book his ticket to the Cheltenham Festival with a strong comeback on Saturday afternoon for Nicky Henderson.
Last year’s winner Ballyandy (2/1) has been running consistently well so far this season and should be closest on hand to take advantage should the favourite fall short.
15:35 Ascot – Clarence House Chase
Politologue (11/8) remains the one to beat in the betting given his commanding form in recent outings.
Champion trainer-elect Paul Nicholls has won this race more times than anyone else (five) and Politologue will be hoping to follow up successes in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March and Tingle Creek at Sandown last month.
Defi Du Seuil (4/1) won this contest on heavy ground a year ago to complete a Grade 1 double.
However, he disappointed at Cheltenham in March and was pulled up on his comeback in November to raise further questions over his credentials here. He’ll need to produce something special to triumph here on Saturday.
ITV Racing Schedule, Saturday 13rd January
13:15 Ascot – The Matchbook Betting Podcast Mates’ Hurdle
13:30 Haydock – The Sky Bet Supreme Trial Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle
13:50 Ascot – The Matchbook Better Way To Bet Holloway’s Handicap Hurdle
14:15 Taunton – The Weatherby’s Portman Cup Steeple Chase
14:40 Haydock – The Peter Marsh Handicap Steeple Chase
15:00 Ascot – The bet365 Handicap Steeple Chase
15:15 Haydock – The Unibet Champion Hurdle Trial
15:35 Ascot – The Matchbook Betting Exchange Clarence House Steeple Chase
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
