Megan Nicholls Racing Preview: Wincanton, Haydock & Ascot Tips
SATURDAY RACING TIPS
Wincanton 1.35 – BetMGM Kingwell Hurdle
Rubaud (15/8) absolutely loves Wincanton and I’d really fancy him here – but heavy ground is not really his bag and that does put me off him somewhat.
It’s going to be proper hard work on Saturday and, while he won’t have run on ground this bad, I don’t think conditions will inconvenience Alexi (8/13 fav) as much.
He’s had a pretty productive season and I expect him to handle the step up in grade.
Megan’s Tip: Alexi WIN
Haydock 2.05 – Rendlesham Hurdle
I have no doubts that Kabral Du Mathan (8/15 fav) is a very talented horse but this looks a chance to get him beat.
The ground at Haydock is going to be extremely testing at Haydock and, while he’s clearly a Stayers’ Hurdle contender, he doesn’t scream a horse that is going to thrive if it turns into a proper slog.
He looks a pretty quick horse to me so I’m not sure bad ground will see him to best effect.
In contrast, Henri The Second (15/2) will absolutely love these conditions.
While he might be best at Sandown, it was hard not to be impressed by how easily he did it last time and I’m quite hopeful he can give the favourite a real test.
Megan’s Tip: Henri The Second EW
Haydock 3.15 – Grand National Trial
Deafening Silence (3/1 fav) has got a massive chance in this.
He’s not the easiest to win with but he stays these marathon trips really well and the Welsh National form has been boosted. He’s been given a break since that good third and can run well.
Myretown (3/1 fav) is clearly very talented but I think that fall at Newbury might have just knocked his confidence.
I thought he looked a bit cautious last time and I actually think he wants a trip a bit shorter than this.
Megan’s Tip: Deafening Silence WIN
Ascot 3.35 – Ascot Chase
This is a tricky race to unpick and, in all honesty, I’m torn on which way to go.
I’m leaning towards Pic D’orhy (7/4) at the prices as I didn’t think he was right at Ascot last time and I wonder if the Charlie Hall run left its mark a bit.
We know he likes Ascot, having won this race the last two years, and while the step up in trip is definitely going to help Jonbon (1/2 fav) he had a really hard race in the BetMGM Clarence House last time.
He really had to dig deep and given this is a pretty quick turnaround, I have a feeling he might not be at his peak.
At this price, it’s enough for me to take him on.
Megan’s Tip: Pic D’orhy WIN
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation
