Megan Nicholls Racing Preview: Ascot, Haydock & Taunton Tips
SATURDAY RACING TIPS
Haydock 12.10 โ Handicap Chase
Iโm going to go with No No Tango (SP) here.
He was good on his return at Wincanton when Patrick Mullins rode him and I think he could still be ahead of the handicapper.
I know heโs come out of that race extremely well and Iโm hoping he can continue to progress.
Meganโs Tip: No No Tango WIN
Ascot 12.30 โ BetMGM Juvenile Hurdle
There has obviously been a lot of talk about Nicky Hendersonโs Lulamba (1/2 fav), who will go off a short price on his stable debut here.
Thereโs also been plenty said about Mondo Man (11/4), who was highly rated on the Flat.
However Iโm going to stay loyal to Viyanni (17/2), who won nicely on his first start for Harry Derham at Market Rasen โ Iโm hoping theyโll be a bit of pace on which should suit.
His trainer is very confident heโll run really well and this will tell us a lot about where his future lies.
Meganโs Tip: Viyanni EW
Taunton 12.55 โ Maiden Hurdle
I donโt want to give up on Noahsgreatrainbow (SP), who ran too bad to be true on his hurdle debut at Sandown.
This horse showed a good level of form in his bumpers and he bled last time so there were excuses for his poor reappearance run.
Heโs back in rude health now and I think heโs got a massive chance in this.
Meganโs Tip: Noahsgreatrainbow WIN
๐๏ธ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐
โ BetMGM UK (@BetMGMUK) January 14, 2025
๐ซต Until the ๐จ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ข๐ต๐ฆ๐ด๐ต ๐ด๐ฉ๐ฐ๐ธ ๐ฐ๐ฏ ๐ต๐ถ๐ณ๐ง!#CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/nimN17knXj
Ascot 1.40 โ BetMGM Maresโ Hurdle
Weโve got another short-priced favourite here in the form of Willie Mullinsโ Kargese (4/7 fav) and in all honesty I find it hard to see her getting beat.
Her form is very solid having finished second to Majborough in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham and then second to Sir Gino at Aintree.
She also won the Grade One at Punchestown last season and I expect her to prove her tough to beat.
Meganโs Tip: Kargese WIN
Haydock 1.55 โ Rossington Main Novicesโ Hurdle
I think itโs pretty fair to say Dan Skelton has a talented pool of novices this season and one of those is Royal Infantry (8/15 fav).
He looks very smart and I canโt see him getting beat. He was very impressive over course and distance last time and on ratings his rivals have a lot to find.
Meganโs Tip: Royal Infantry WIN
Ascot 2.15 โ Handicap Chase
The one I like here is Kotmask (7/2 joint-fav).
He was a winner at Ascot last time showing he likes the track. I think he could improve by stepping up to 2m 5f and I just prefer him to the likely favourite Martator (7/2 joint fav).
At a bigger price Iโll take a chance on Hitman (8/1). Heโs very frustrating and doesnโt win that often, but heโs been running consistently in better races than this for a while now. He might have just snuck down to a competitive mark and might just go well at a nice price.
Meganโs Tip: Kotmask WIN; Hitman EW
Saturday @Ascot should be fun! ๐ https://t.co/fxsF6foLEX
โ BetMGM UK (@BetMGMUK) January 13, 2025
Haydock 2.30 โ Peter Marsh Handicap Chase
I absolutely love that Venetia Williams has thrown Royal Pagaille (2/1 fav) into a handicap.
Heโs obviously got a huge weight which means a load in here having very little weight to carry, but this is a Haydock specialist who loves this sort of ground.
Heโs a multiple Grade One winner and while the big weight makes his life tough, I do think heโs the one to beat.
The each-way shout could be Trelawne (4/1).
He didnโt run too badly at Ascot last time and a return to this track could play to his strengths.
Meganโs Tip: Royal Pagaille WIN; Trelawne EW
Ascot 2.50 โ BetMGM Hollowayโs Handicap Hurdle
How frustrating is Altobelli (4/1)? He didnโt jump well enough last time at Doncaster and looked like he was going to be well beaten but he still managed to fly home.
Heโs very frustrating but I am going to stick with him as I think heโs the most talented horse in the race. I think the first time cheekpieces might just help him concentrate too.
Meganโs Tip: Altobelli WIN
Taunton 3.15 โ Handicap Hurdle
The one I like in here is Paso Doble (SP).
He didnโt run with any sort of disgrace on his return after a huge lay-off at this track last time. He was only beaten five lengths and heโll really have improved for that.
Paso Doble gets in off a feather weight and could go close.
Meganโs Tip: Paso Doble WIN
๐คฉ ๐ง๐๐ ๐ฆ๐ง๐๐๐ ๐๐ฆ ๐ฆ๐๐ง ๐
โ BetMGM UK (@BetMGMUK) January 16, 2025
โช๏ธJonbon
โช๏ธEnergumene
โช๏ธEdwardstone
โช๏ธBoothill
๐ฅ Don't miss the 3.32 BetMGM Clarence House Chase at @Ascot on Saturday!#HorseRacing | #Ascot
Ascot 3.32 โ BetMGM Clarence House Chase
Then we come to the highlight of the day, the BetMGM Clarence House Chase.
Iโm a big fan of Energumene (2/1) and I was pretty impressed with his comeback at Cork. He won easily but that obviously doesnโt tell the whole story as Banbridge unseated at the last when in contention.
That form has obviously had a big boost with Banbridge winning the King George.
I really think Energumene is a bit of a monster and Iโve always held him in really high regard.
Iโm pretty confident heโll serve it up to Jonbon (4/6 fav), who we all know is very talented too.
Jonbon has been really good this season but I do think heโs beatable. Heโs been beating good horses but not anything like the calibre of Energumene.
The one worry I have with Energumene is if he bounces having not run for so long before the Cork reappearance, but if he doesnโt then I fancy him to win this.
Meganโs Tip: Energumene WIN
Browse all our horse racing markets here
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation
