We’re looking to keep things interesting for all of those staying at home to watch the racing on Saturday afternoon.
ITV1 broadcasts nine live races, the program beginning at 1pm and going right through to 4.10. We’re giving our selections for all nine races.
There’s Grade 1 action over at Punchestown which is included in the live broadcast, while the other eight live races all come from Britain’s two Premier Racedays at Ascot and Haydock.
| Time | Course | Selection | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.15 | Haydock | Kamsinas | 5/1 |
| 1.30 | Ascot | Le Patron | 13/2 |
| 1.50 | Haydock | Iroko | 13/8 |
| 2.10 | Punchestown | State Man | 8/11 |
| 2.30 | Haydock | Backmersackme (e/w) | 13/2 |
| 2.45 | Ascot | Thunder Rock | 5/1 |
| 3.05 | Haydock | Capodanno (e/w) | 9/1 |
| 3.20 | Ascot | Kotmask | 7/1 |
| 3.40 | Haydock | Take Your Time | 7/2 |
Where Are the Star Jockeys Heading?
Part of the draw on a big Saturday race day is seeing the top jockeys in action. While Sean Bowen and Harry Cobden go to Ascot, Harry Skelton, Sam Twiston-Davies and Brian Hughes are all in action on Haydock’s Grade 1 Betfair Chase card.
Also on Merseyside for one ride is last week’s young Paddy Power Gold Cup hero Freddie Gingell. He rides Take Your Time for boss Paul Nicholls in ITV’s final live race at 3.40. Riding arrangements have been taken into consideration, along with many other factors, in our Saturday live TV bets.
Betfair Racing Podcasts Handicap Hurdle, 1.15 Haydock
There are 15 declared for this 2-mile, 3-furlong handicap hurdle which is nice to see. It should be a wide-open betting heat too.
Beat The Bat looks good on his return from a long break, while recent winner Josh The Boss will be popular for the Twiston-Davies team. Another who is fit after winning last month however is Kamsinas who is the tentative selection.
Fergal O’Brien sends only the one runner here, his Aintree winner being at home on this sort of ground. He still looks to be ahead of the handicapper.
Selection: Kamsinas
Copybet 1965 Chase, 1.30 Ascot
This is an important 2m5f Grade 2 chase, the result of which will have an impact on the Cheltenham Festival betting for sure.
Pic D’Orhy (Paul Nicholls/Harry Cobden) is odds-on to repeat last year’s easy victory. Even with top weight to carry he could be hard to beat on his return given the relative weakness of the others, but he could be on the decline and is no price.
A chance can be taken then on six-year-old Le Patron (Gary & Josh Moore/Adam Wedge). A Grade 1 novice winner less than a year ago, he still has potential and is good value to small stakes.
Selection: Le Patron
Betfair Exchange Graduation Chase, 1.50 Haydock
We can’t really back Hillcrest after a 981-day break, but it’s great to see him back. Tahmuras (Paul Nicholls) has also been off a long time, leaving the solid one being market leader Iroko for Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero.
Iroko earned his 152 rating by finishing second in the Grade 1 Mildmay Novices’ Chase at Aintree over 3m1f in April. He should have no trouble over this extended 2m5f and is the one to be on.
Selection: Iroko
Unibet Morgiana Hurdle, 2.10 Punchestown
Our first Grade 1 of the afternoon comes from Ireland in the shape of the two-mile Morgiana Hurdle. Though a top race in its own right, this is a major early trial for the Champion Hurdle in March.
The outstanding State Man, current Champion Hurdler, is odds-on for this assignment. Even given the ability of his stablemate and second-favourite Lossiemouth he really should be winning this, but he may be one to use in multiples at such a short price.
Selection: State Man
Betfair Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle, 2.30 Haydock
The Skelton’s have market leader Doyen Quest in this race at around 3/1, but it’s very competitive. An each-way bet is probably the way to go in this 3-mile, half a furlong event.
Looking at the handicap marks of all involved as well as using some speed data, the smart bet may be Emmet Mullins’ Backmersackme. With any luck, prices of 13/2+ hold going into Saturday to make this worthwhile.
Selection: Backmersackme (each-way)
Howden Ascot Hurdle, 2.45 Ascot
This is a very tight contest going over two and a half miles at Grade 2 level. The mare Golden Ace leads the way having gone four races unbeaten in 2024, but it may be that trainer Ollie Murphy has pulled off a masterstroke.
His Thunder Rock hasn’t been seen over hurdles for two and a half years, but he’s improved so much since then. He is a 156-rated chaser and looks good value to take care of Golden Ace and Blueking d’Oroux.
Selection: Thunder Rock
Betfair Chase, 3.05 Haydock
This is the highlight of the day, the Grade 1 Betfair Chase over 3¼ miles. All the talk has been about Grey Dawning, Dan Skelton’s Turner Novices’ Chase winner who he says is definitely a Cheltenham Gold Cup horse this season. Big words.
The market leader will need to improve, though of course he should, while second in is Royale Pagaille who is getting a little long in the tooth now. Ahoy Senor would be a popular winner, and he may still have the ability.
Also popular in the betting have been Limerick Lace, Capodanno and Hewick. Capodanno in fact was fourth in the Gold Cup in March and could be the big each-way value here in what is an unusually trappy Betfair Chase.
Selection: Capodanno (each-way)
Lay & Wheeler Hurst Park Handicap Chase, 3.20 Ascot
All the fancied runners in this 2m1f handicap chase are fit from recent runs, so we should be able to rely on the form. Martador (Venetia Williams) just keeps winning and should go well again but is vulnerable to one horse in particular.
Gary & Josh Moore’s Kotmask has the ability. At 7/1 and a staying-on third, he was likely not fully tuned up last time but will be now and he can make his presence count.
Selection: Kotmask
Best Odds on the Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase, 3.40 Haydock
It will likely be pretty gloomy for Haydock’s last race over 3¼ miles. It will be no surprise however to see the aforementioned Freddie Gingell come out of the gloom ahead after his heroics last week on Il Ridoto.
Selection: Take Your Time