Ascot & Haydock Betting Guide

3:00 Ascot Betfair Chase Cl1 2m5f110y
A valuable race that doesn’t always have the high quality field it deserves. Riverside Theatre is favourite to repeat last year’s success despite being away from the track for a whole year. At his best he will prove hard to beat.

Kauto Stone (7/2 Paddy Power) found the two-mile Tingle Creek too sharp and his jumping suffered as a result. The extra five furlongs should be more suitable and he is still unexposed.

Both Medermit (9/2 BetVictor) and Gauvain (10/1 BetVictor) are short of Grade One level but are capable of picking up a good race if the favourite falters. 

I’msingingtheblues and Tatenen are handicappers with no secrets, they have place chances at best.

Selection: Riverside Theatre to win at 7/4 with Boylesports

3:20 Haydock Grand National Trial Cl1 3m4f
Regarded as a Grand National trial, but winners of the race don’t have a great record at Aintree, therefore it is not worth looking too far ahead.

Welsh National winner Le Beau Bai is 8/1 (Sportingbet) with Giles Cross the horse he beat at Chepstow 13/2 (Betfred). Both are specialists at the Welsh track and it is questionable whether they can translate the form to a more conventional flat track.

A winner in 50% of his chase starts, Always Right could be a big price at 17/2 (William Hill) if he returns to form. He ran as if something was amiss when pulled up at Wetherby on his last start. The vibes from his yard are positive, forgive his last run, and he is a big danger.

Sona Sasta at 10/1 (Bet365) is worth a second look. The further he goes the better, and if the ground is very testing expect him to be one of the strongest finishers. He was beaten only 2.5 lengths by Le Beau Bai back in December over an inadequate trip and should turn that form around. 

Selection: Sona Sasta to win at 10/1 with Bet365