Alan Thomson, the former Racing Editor at the Daily Record, puts up five tips at Ascot and Haydock on Saturday. View selections below.
BAD (1.50) can come good in the 2m 3f handicap chase at Ascot.
The grey followed up his Kempton success by running a stormer behind Panic Attack in the red-hot Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham, only fading out of the picture up the run-in after hitting the front briefly two fences from home.
This event looks less cut-throat and Bad should have the measure of Issam, raised 5lb for his recent Wetherby victory, and the Venetia Williams-trained The Famous Five.
HONESTY POLICY (2.25) may be the pick of two fancied JP McManus contenders in the Long Walk Hurdle.
Gordon Elliott has kept the five-year-old under warps since just failing to complete a four-timer when held close home by the Willie Mullins-trained Jasmin De Vaux at the Punchestown Festival in April.
McManus’ other representative, Impose Toi, is more battle-hardened having found only one too good in the 26-runner Coral Cup at Cheltenham in March and he edged out re-opposing Strong Leader in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury 22 days ago.
Strong Leader enjoys a 6lb pull with Impose Toi on their Newbury form and clearly enters equations.
Doddiethegreat was held in fifth that day but did well to recover the ground lost after being badly hampered at the second flight.
Last year’s winner Crambo is back to defend his title but needs to re-discover some form to figure this time round.
WILFUL (3.35) can cash-in on what appears a favourable mark in the concluding two-mile handicap hurdle.
My selection finished less than two lengths behind Alexei when that pair filled the places behind Celtic Dino in the Welsh Champion Hurdle in late October but is now a massive 19lb better off with re-opposing Alexei.
Top weight Alexei has since gone on to score over course and distance before landing a Cheltenham handicap in very impressive fashion. He has clearly improved in leaps and bounds.
Helnwein and Faivoir have ground to make up on Alexei on Cheltenham form but have been given every chance by the assessor.
Gary Moore’s four-year-old Mondo Man tackles his first handicap and doesn’t look overburdened.
At Haydock, SUNNYVILLA (1.30) ran his field ragged in this two-mile handicap chase 12 months ago and Danny McMenamin’s aggressive front-running tactics can again bring its reward.
Sunnyvilla will strip sharper for a pipe-opener over course and distance four weeks ago and can turn around form with runner-up Escapeandevade under today’s more arduous underfoot conditions.
KING ULANDA (12.55) didn’t fire on all cylinders when only fourth at Huntingdon last time but a repeat of his 11 lengths Carlisle victory in mid-October would make him highly competitive in the two-mile Betfred Supports Jack Berry Handicap Hurdle.
Cobbler’s Boy made all the running when stretching clear on quicker ground at Warwick in May and remains unexposed.
Saligo Bay, successful in four of his last five starts, has been raised a further 6lb by the assessor.
Tally Ho
Alan
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NB. All odds shown are correct at time of publishing and are subject to change.
