Megan Nicholls Racing Preview: Ascot & Haydock Tips
SATURDAY RACING TIPS
Haydock 2.05 – Veterans’ Handicap Chase
The one I like here is The Flier Begley (3/1).
He’s gone well at this track previously and I thought he was pretty impressive at Market Rasen last time where he beat Nocte Volatus (3/1 fav). I don’t see how his rival turns that form around personally, and I expect the selection to come out on top again.
He’s improved with each start this year and I’m hoping that win last time will have been a real confidence boost. He’s won back-to-back in the past too, which gives me plenty of confidence.
Megan’s Tip: The Flier Begley WIN
Haydock 2.40 – Rendlesham Hurdle
Botox Has (3/1) can go back-to-back in the Rendlesham Hurdle.
He’s wrong at the weights with Beauport (15/8 fav), however, he is two from two at Haydock and any rain that falls won’t be an issue.
He won this race pretty impressively last year and he takes the same route again having run in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham previously.
I thought he ran really well in the Cleeve to finish third and I’m hoping he can come on again like he did last year to take this for the Moores.
Megan’s Tip: Botox Has WIN
Ascot 3.00 – Swinley Handicap Chase
I think Victorino (7/2 fav) is the right favourite here and notch up another win this season.
He’s a very consistent horse who has rarely run a bad race since joining the Venetia Williams yard. The form of his two runs this season has stood up very well.
His win at Ascot suggested to me there was still more to come and while he’s now off a mark of 146, a mark he’s yet to win off, he was fourth in this race off it last year behind Threeunderthrufive (10/1).
Victorino has improved since then and he looks a better horse now he’s a year older. He goes really well at Ascot and course form is never a bad thing.
Speaking of Threeunderthrufive, I do think he can make the places. He’s got a lot of weight to carry, but he’ll have come on plenty for that reappearance run and his win in this race 12 months ago shows he goes well at this track.
Megan’s Tip: Victorino WIN; Threeunderthrufive EW
Haydock 3.15 – Grand National Trial
I’m going to go with Jubilee Express (13/2) here.
With Royal Pagaille (8/1) in the race, he’s got a featherweight to carry and he’s got to go well on the back of that second to Val Dancer (13/2) in the Welsh National at Chepstow.
He probably got a little too far back that day, but stayed on really well and with just a little weight on his back, he’s the one I like at a decent price.
Sam Thomas has done really well with these staying chasers this season and I can see him having another big Saturday winner here.
Megan’s Tip: Jubilee Express WIN
Ascot 3.37 – Ascot Chase
Conditions have very much fallen in Pic D’orhy’s (13/8 fav) favour here. The good ground is what he wants and he should be able to dominate from the front at a track we know he loves.
There are plenty of horses in here that want a longer distance and Pic D’orhy should just have a bit more speed for this 2m5f trip.
He’s probably still a bit underrated given he’s won nearly £1 million in prize money and I think this could be my Dad and Harry Cobden’s time to get a Grade 1 on the board this season.
Megan’s Tip: Pic D’orhy WIN
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Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation