Megan Nicholls Racing Tips: BetMGM Clarence House Raceday at Ascot
SATURDAY RACING TIPS
Ascot 1.40 – BetMGM Warfield Mares' Hurdle
La Conquiere (11/8 fav) looks the right favourite at this trip.
She’s got a bit to find on ratings with Nurse Susan (11/4) but she needed every inch of the trip at Sandown last time and back to two miles might be a bit sharp for her.
La Conquiere is a speedy type and this looks like a race that will set up well for her.
She won well at Newbury last time and I can see her taking another step forward now upped in Grade.
Megan’s Tip: La Conquiere EW
Ascot 2.20 – 2m5f Handicap Chase
Etalon (15/2) beat plenty of these last time when getting a positive ride from the front by Harry Skelton – but I’m not sure his fellow jockeys will allow him the same luxury here.
With that in mind I’ll go with the solid option in Vincenzo (15/8 fav), who keeps running well in decent races and deserves to get his head in front at some point.
It’s a competitive race but he looks the one to beat.
Megan’s Tip: Vincenzo WIN
Ascot 2.53 – BetMGM Holloway's Handicap Hurdle
How is Metier (22/1) the sort of price he is?!
He ran pretty well returning to hurdles at Sandown last time and he can surely be competitive off a mark of 130, particularly with the recent rain that has fallen.
I like the application of headgear and I can easily see him outrunning his odds.
He looks a nice each-way bet but, if you’re looking for one at a shorter price, I’d expect Surrey Lord (3/1) to go very well.
The extra distance unlocked more improvement again last time and I can see him progressing again here.
Megan’s Tip: Surrey Lord WIN; Metier EW
Ascot 3.30 – BetMGM Clarence House Chase
The Grade One BetMGM Clarence House looks pretty easy for me.
Il Etait Temps (4/9 fav) just keeps improving and looks by far the most likely winner.
It will be interesting to see how Harry Cobden gets on with Jonbon (4/1) for the first time, but he does look a horse that needs a longer trip now.
You’d imagine Harry will be positive on Jonbon – and we know he goes well at Ascot but if he does go hard that will suit Il Etait Temps and Paul Townend.
The Willie Mullins raider has shown he’s very much the coming force in the two-mile division and, given his trainer clearly has eyes on another trainers’ championship, he’ll surely have his charge primed for this.
Megan’s Tip: Il Etait Temps WIN
Ascot 4.05 – BetMGM Ebf 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle
This race might not be in front of the ITV cameras but it’s the contest which features my banker…
And that is The Burren Man (5/2) for Harry Derham.
This horse was pretty impressive at Carlisle and I know connections think he’s a pretty talented sort.
I expect him to improve again from that outing and I’m pretty hopeful we can round out the day with a winner here.
Megan’s Tip: The Burren Man WIN
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation
