Horse racing tips: Ascot, Haydock, Newcastle and Lingfield – Templegate’s betting preview for ITV4’s racing on Saturday, December 23

ASCOT

1.50

HAVE a few Bob on Nicky Henderson’s runner.

POUGNE BOBBI looked good when bolting up on soft ground at Ludlow last season.

He had excuses for his subsequent two races and should improve for his first run of the season at Ascot last time.

Soft ground suit him well and the drop to 2m2f shouldn’t harm his chance.

Rock On Rocky landed a hat-trick last season. He showed he has still got races in him when chasing home useful Overtown Express at Newbury last time.

A repeat of that effort should see him in the frame.

Theo’s Charm ran a cracker when third behind Sam Spinner in a hot hurdle race at Haydock last month.

The return to fences shouldn’t bother him but this trip is on the short side for him.

Mr Medic and Poker School would have preferred better ground.

2.25

UNOWHATIMEANHARRY is a knock out bet in the JLT Reve De Sivola Long Walk Hurdle.

He suffered just his second defeat since joining Harry Fry when runner-up to shock winner Beer Goggles at Newbury last time.

That result is hard to work out but it was still far from a bad run. I’m expecting him to get back on track today.

Thomas Campbell is a danger having looked most progressive in handicaps. This should tell us if he’s up to this grade but there’s a fair chance he is.

It’s hard to say Lil Rockerfeller doesn’t stay this far as he was only beaten three-quarters of a length in the Sun Bets Stayers’ Hurdle.

But he still hasn’t won over further than the 2m3f he was successful over at this track last time.

Sam Spinner had The World’s End behind when he destroyed his rivals from the front in a Haydock handicap on testing ground last month.

The World’s End – giving 10lbs to the winner that day – ran well up to a point. He was last season’s top staying hurdler and is interesting with that run behind him.

L’Ami Serge has won over today’s distance in France but I’m not sure it’s what this strong-traveller needs over here.

He’s weighted to reverse last month’s form with Lil Rockerfeller but I’m not convinced he will.

3.00

MAKE the bookies Pay.

SINGLEFARMPAYMENT was creeping into the race when taking a tumble at the third-last in the Ladbrokes Trophy.

3.35

GO to town on ELGIN.

There’s been a lot to like about Alan King’s progressive young hurdler this season. He was a decent novice last term but has really hit form in recent weeks.

My fancy had Air Horse One, Verdana Blue and Caid Du Lin behind when landing a good race over course and distance in November.

2.45

CATAMARAN DU SEUIL should sail home.

He overcame a few mistakes to nail useful stayer Knockanrawley close home at Ayr in November.

It’s not hard to imagine the race came too soon when he was only fourth behind Welsh National fancy Chase The Spud at Haydock ten days later.

That was a brutal race and easy to put a line through. If his jumping stands up he should have a great chance.

Three Faces West has done well since Philip Hobbs slapped cheekpieces on him. There was a lot to like about his return to action when third behind Perfect Candidate at Cheltenham and he looks the big danger.

I was tempted to chance Broadway Buffalo. He hasn’t been seen since chasing home Bishop’s Road in the Grand National Trial at this track nearly two years ago.

These are his conditions but the trip is on the sharp side. Full Irish and Vic De Touzaine are others in with a shout.

ASCOT

12.40 Forgetthesmalltalk

1.15 Adrien Du Pont

1.50 Pougne Bobbi

2.25 Unowhatimeanharry

3.00 Singlefarmpayment (nap)

3.35 Elgin

HAYDOCK

11.50 Isaacstown Lad

12.25 Born Survivor

1.00 Cap Soleil

1.35 Eamon An Cnoic

2.10 Limited Reserve (nb)

2.45 Catamaran Du Seuil

3.20 Cap Du Nord

LINGFIELD

12.00 Now Say Yes

12.35 Singyoursong

1.10 Yogi’s Girl

1.45 Utmost

2.20 Mr Pocket

2.55 Ming Dynasty

3.30 Iley Boy

NEWCASTLE

11.45 Snapdragon Fire

12.15 Celtic Flames

12.50 Our Valentina

1.25 Teddy Tee (treble)

2.00 Bering Upsun

2.35 Dubai Angel

3.10 He’s A Goer