Saturday Racing Tips & Best Bets: Ascot, Wetherby & Down Royal

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Saturday horse racing tips

The jumps season is moving into full swing and there’s some top class action taking place in both the UK and Ireland on Saturday. I’ve cast my net wide for Saturday’s horse racing tips.

bet365 Montagu Mares’ Hurdle (Listed Race) (13.45, Wetherby)

It’s a tricky day at Wetherby with some potentially trappy contests and few runners on the card, probably due to the ground officially having ‘firm’ in the description.

No one wants to see their pride and joy pick up an injury in October and few are risking it at the West Yorkshire track and, while Kateira is an admirable Dan Skelton-trained mare who has the best form here, she, La Conquiere and Ooh Betty all prefer to get their toes in.

That could give more than a squeak to WATAMU, who is unexposed and receives weight from all four of her opponents. She’ll have to step up a bit on her achievements so far but she does act on good ground and she’s a sporting play to very small stakes on betting sites against the field.

Wetherby tip: Watamu – 0.5pt win @ 13/2 (Paddy Power)

Sodexo Live! Regal Encore Handicap Chase (14.33, Ascot)

This race was won last year by HENRY’S FRIEND and I think now could be the time to catch him again.

He’s 2-3 over C&D, having also won the Reynoldstown as a novice and he acts on good ground or slower, so conditions will hold no fears for him at the Berkshire track.

Ben Pauling’s gelding is at his best when he’s up with or setting the pace, a tactic used when he landed this 12-months ago from a 1lb higher mark. He’s a 3m2f winner, so this stiff 3m clearly suits him and he can ask questions of his opponents’ stamina.

Unfortunately, that success was it for him for the season, as his form dipped in all but one of his four further starts and he was last seen being pulled up in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown in April.

He’s back on a handy mark and has had both wind surgery and a lengthy break since last season’s exertions. Cheekpieces, which he’s sported for the past year or two, are retained, and he makes some each-way appeal at 8/1 on horse racing betting sites, given his penchant for this venue.

Ascot tip: Henry’s Friend– 1pt each-way @ 8/1 (William Hill)

bet365 Charlie Hall Chase (Grade 2) (14.55, Wetherby)

At his current odds of 6/4 on betting apps, Pic d’Orhy should garner plenty of support from punters and I would not be surprised if he is considerably shorter when the tapes go up for this traditional early-season Wetherby feature.

He’s the best horse in this race on official ratings and was a triple Grade 1 winner, albeit over 2m4f-2m5f, when with trainer Dan Skelton’s former mentor Paul Nicholls. However, in this race, being the best horse does not always count.

Not a single favourite has won it in the past decade and Pic d’Orhy was second in the race to Venetia Williams-trained Djelo last season. Maybe Dan Skelton can do what his former boss did but he’ll be short enough and if there is a doubt about him it’s definitely got to be with regard to stamina.

There’s no doubt on that score for THE REAL WHACKER, who won this two years ago but flopped back in it last year. Patrick Neville has had to be patient, as he lost his way to some extent but he’s back to form now, having made all at Perth last time and, even with only two places to play for each-way, he could give the favourite a real scare.

Brian Hughes knows his way around here and he looks a big player again this time, while Handstands is not written off, despite ending last season on a low note.

Wetherby tip: The Real Whacker – 1pt each-way @ 11/2 (Coral)

BetVictor, Remembering Envoi Allen Champion Chase (Grade 1) (15.15, Down Royal)

Never quite as strong as some Grade 1 contests, this remains a big early-season pot to play for and it’s been won by Irish-trained runners for the last ten seasons.

One of those trainers is Henry de Bromhead, who trained Envoi Allen to three wins in the race and he will be very keen to add another to his CV with HEART WOOD.

The eight-year-old gelding has an admirable record for one who has often performed well against better-fancied rivals in big races. He could potentially go off as the market leader this time, although the talented Romeo Coolio is another shortlisted for that honour.

The selection has never won over quite this far, 2m7f being the furthest trip he’s successfully tackled but he’s a Grade 1 winner, having taken the Ryanair at Cheltenham in March and I’m sure there’ll be a plan in place for Darragh O’Keeffe to switch him off until things get more serious.

It’s a deep field for the time of year, with Affordale Fury, Welsh raider Haiti Couleurs and 2024 King George winner Banbridge all involved but Heart Wood gets the vote.

Down Royal tip: Heart Wood – 1pt win @ 3/1 (William Hill)

Responsible gambling

If you’re having a bet on Saturday’s action, it’s vital to practice responsible gambling.

Betting can be addictive, and it’s important to stay in control of your gambling. Never treat gambling as a way to make money, never bet more than you can afford and when the fun stops, stop.

UK gambling sites offer punters tools, like deposit limits, profit and loss trackers and self-exclusion options, to help you stay in control.

But if you ever feel like you need help or advice on gambling addiction, don’t hesitate to contact one of the charities or organisations below.

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