Megan Nicholls Racing Preview: Ascot & Haydock Tips
SATURDAY RACING TIPS
Ascot 1.50 – Handicap Chase
The Famous Five (7/2 JF) is nicely weighted with only 10st 4lbs on his back.
He has had a bit of time off the track but was progressive last season and can go well again here.
Venetia Williams’ horses have been in decent form and a bit of cut in the ground is what he likes. I think the slight step up in trip will help him too.
He could well improve once again this season.
Megan’s Tip: The Famous Five WIN
Haydock 2.05 – Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase
I’m struggling to understand why Top of The Bill (11/2) is not shorter in the market.
It might possibly be the 9lb rise after he bolted up last time, but Toby McCain-Mitchell knows the horse well. He beat Saladins Son (5/1) by seven lengths last time, and it could have been further if he wanted.
He stays extremely well, and any ground is absolutely fine for him. I can’t understand why Saladins Son is about half his price, and I just think Top of The Bill is real value here.
We know he stays and we know he handles the track. Yes, he has that rise in the weights but conditions are in his favour and it would be overcomplicating it to look too far away from this talented horse.
Megan’s Tip: Top of The Bill WIN
Ascot 2.25 – Long Walk Hurdle
I’m sticking with Impose Toi (11/4), who I thought was a good winner at Newbury when beating Strong Leader last time in the Long Distance Hurdle.
He’s a strong traveller, and I think that win will have got his confidence up. He’s two from two this season and I think this staying trip has unlocked further improvement in him.
This isn’t the strongest Long Walk we’ve ever seen, with plenty of horses in here having questions still to answer. Impose Toi, though, looks the most likely to improve and can take this out.
Megan’s Tip: Impose Toi WIN
Haydock 2.40 – Mares’ Novices Hurdle
I’ll be backing *Supreme Malinas (3/1) here.
She won on her hurdling debut beating A Path To Ronda (6/1), and she did so pretty easily.
Visibility at Exeter wasn’t brilliant but she jumped very well and what we did see of her was very good.
She loves testing ground, so any more rain will not bother her at all, and I fancy her to beat Jackie Hobbs (9/4 fav) because of her proven stamina.
I’d be hopeful she will be able to outjump and possibly outstay Jackie Hobbs, who is a talented mare in her own right, but she was a bit messy at Newbury on her hurdling debut. She may not get away with those silly errors here.
I’m not sure how she will handle very testing ground up in trip, so Supreme Malinas is the pick.
Megan’s Tip: Supreme Malinas WIN
Ascot 3.00 – Silver Cup Handicap Chase
I have gone for Johnnywho (5/1) in this.
I think there is a nice handicap in him at some point this season; he obviously went very well at the Festival under Derek O’Connor.
I thought his return at Aintree in the Grand Sefton was a nice effort, though he looked to get a bit tired and that was over a trip a little short. He should come on nicely from that reappearance.
Stepping back up to the three miles is ideal, and I think he’s running off a handicap mark that he is capable of winning off. It’s five pounds above his Cheltenham mark, but I do think that he can remain competitive.
Megan’s Tip: Johnnywho WIN
Ascot 3.35 – Festive Handicap Hurdle
I am sticking with Alexei (7/2), who has impressed me twice this season.
He has gone up in the weights, but is a course and distance winner that goes on any ground. It was hard not to be impressed by the way he did it at Cheltenham last time.
He’s going to end up in Graded races before long and while he has to give a fair bit of weight away, I feel he’ll prove too classy here.
Unlike current favourite Mondo Man (7/2), who would need everything to go totally right for him, he’s fairly straightforward.
The each-way pick is Live Conti (12/1).
He’s lightly raced and was last seen when finishing second in the Grade 1 Anniversary Hurdle at Aintree. I think he is massively overpriced and could run a big race at a really nice price..
Megan’s Tip: Alexei WIN; Live Conti EW
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation
