Megan Nicholls Racing Tips – Haydock & Ascot
SATURDAY RACING TIPS
Haydock 1.50 – Graduation Chase
I really like this race as it’s a great opportunity for those stepping up in Grade to gain experience over fences before taking on Open company.
I’m looking forward to seeing Iroko (5/4 fav) back on the track. He’s a horse who has taken his trainers’ careers to a new level. You can’t really knock his level of form and he looks a pretty solid favourite.
He could still be progressing and this should be a good opportunity for him to get his season underway positively. Iroko should take all the beating here.
Megan’s Tip: Iroko WIN
Haydock 3.05– Betfair Chase
Another cracking renewal of the Betfair Chase albeit a bit of a headache to solve!
Bravemansgame (12/1) wears blinkers for the first time and hopefully that will liven him up as he’s been pretty lacklustre recently. I thought he’d go straight to Kempton for the King George but connections clearly feel this is the best way to go.
Dan Skelton thinks an awful lot of Grey Dawning (15/8 fav) and much is expected this season, stepping into Open company.
Hewick (9/1) ran a cracker on his reappearance at Down Royal and the real galloping track at Haydock should really suit him. He wouldn’t want too much rain but if the heavens don’t open then he’s got a cracking chance.
It’s a very open race and while it’s not perhaps the strongest renewal it’s really interesting. The two I find it hard to split are Grey Dawning and Hewick and they are the two I’ll back.
Megan’s Tip: Grey Dawning WIN; Hewick EW
Ascot 1.30 – 1965 Chase
Pic D’Orhy (4/9 fav) should be very hard to beat again.
He loves Ascot and while he wasn’t at his best in this race last season, his form is superior to his rivals.
He was pulled up at Aintree when last seen but there were excuses that day, and the reports are that he’s been going really well at home.
Pic D’Orhy is a horse that goes well fresh and the fact Harry Cobden comes here instead of Haydock probably speaks volumes on his chances.
Megan’s Tip: Pic D’Orhy WIN
Ascot 2.45 – Howden Ascot Hurdle
It’s very exciting to see Golden Ace (9/4 fav) back out again.
This race sets up well for her given she gets lots of weight from Blueking d’Oroux (5/2). She had a phenomenal last season, winning all four of her races and she could be a serious contender in all of the big races this campaign.
If she’s in her best form first time out then she should be extremely hard to peg back, especially with the mares’ allowance she receives.
Blueking d’Oroux, of course, won this race last year and gets his optimum conditions so is a worthy adversary but I fancy the mare to come out on top.
Megan’s Tip: Golden Ace WIN
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Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation