Free horse racing tips for today: ITV Racing tips – The Wizard of Odds’ betting preview for Saturday, November 24
The Wizard of Odds guides you through Saturday's racing at Haydock and Ascot
I'M still flying high from Friday's action at Ascot where I tipped five winners and a second!
Here's hoping the success continues, and I reckon MIGHT BITE can sink his teeth into the Betfair Chase at Haydock (3.00).
Conditions look right for Nicky Henderson’s star to get the better of old foe Native River, who would love the ground to be a good bit softer.
The two clashed in last season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup when Might Bite had to settle for second after being outstayed in the mud by the Colin Tizzard runner.
Over this shorter trip, on an easier track and in better ground, those places are likely to be reversed.
Native River has bigger fish to fry later this season but should still be right there, with last season’s easy winner Bristol De Mai no pushover either.
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Thistlecrack hasn’t shown his best for so long now that he’s best watched, while Clan Des Obeaux doesn’t look up to this class yet.
It’s a walk in the Park at Haydock today.
PAISLEY PARK (2.25) is a rising star who showed how much he’s improved when winning on his comeback at Aintree last time out.
He was returning from eight months off there and turned a competitive handicap into a procession. The winning margin was less than three lengths but he had plenty up his sleeve and was going away at the finishing line.
Although he showed plenty of pace at flat Aintree, he shapes as though this step up in distance would hold no fears.
Jockey Aidan Coleman didn’t have to go through the gears and there should be a lot more to come from this improving six-year-old.
First Assignment is likely to go off favourite and with good reason, after a couple of excellent wins at Cheltenham already this season.
He battled well to win in a photo over 2m5f before stepping up to this distance to land a bloodless victory last time out.
He shoulders a 5lb penalty for that and will go close provided this isn’t coming too soon just seven days later.
At a big price, Shades Of Midnight has every chance of sneaking into the frame.
He had been chasing with mixed results but looked much happier back over these obstacles when finishing third at Ayr last time out.
He stayed the 3m distance well there and, while this is a hike in class, he appears to have more to offer in this sphere.
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EACH-WAY DOUBLE: CRUCIAL ROLE (1.15 Haydock) with JUBILYMPICS (1.30 Ascot)
CYRUS DARIUS catches the eye in Haydock’s tough 1.50.
He’s moved from Ruth Jefferson to Colin Tizzard on the back of some decent efforts last season that saw him finish with a decent fifth in Grade 1 company at Aintree.
That was after winning at Kelso where he seemed to really enjoy this distance.
As well as moving yards, this solid nine-year-old has had a wind operation which could see him take his form to another level.
He won’t mind if there’s a bit of cut in the ground and should run well for new connections.
Mr Antolini is another who should run well after finishing a close-up fifth in a big field at Cheltenham on his comeback.
He’s a past master of these races and was gutsy enough to win the hot Imperial Cup at Sandown last term. He’s a fair 8lb higher in the weights now and should run well.
Ascot’s 2.05 looks tailor made for POLITOLOGUE who has winning form over this course and distance for Paul Nicholls.
He took his career to a new level last season and finishing with an excellent win in the Melling Chase at Aintree.
That was a big improvement on his effort at the Cheltenham Festival where he didn’t get going in the Champion Chase and it seems that a speed track like Ascot brings out the best in him.
He came back from a long break to win last term so his 225-day absence isn’t a concern.
Benatar was fancied for the BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham last weekend but swerved that because of a late setback.
It clearly wasn’t anything major as he’s out a week later with every chance. He blew away the cobwebs with a quiet fourth at Newton Abbot last month after finishing third at the JLT Novices Chase at the Festival.
That’s good form and he has won on both visits to Ascot, albeit in lesser races than this.
ASCOT
12.20 Stoney Mountain
12.55 Cresswell Legend
1.30 Jubilympics (nap)
2.05 Politologue
2.40 If The Cap Fits
3.15 Duke Of Navan
3.50 Madam Anna
HAYDOCK
12.10 Grand Sancy
12.40 Sam Red
1.15 Crucial Role (ew)
1.50 Cyrus Darius
2.25 Paisley Park
3.00 Might Bite
3.35 Vintage Clouds
HUNTINGDON
12.00 Larkbarrow Lad
12.30 Majestic Moll
1.05 Esprit De Baileys
1.40 Snapdragon Fire
2.15 Boagrius
2.50 Pray For A Rainbow
3.25 Simply Loveleh
LINGFIELD
11.45 Contrive
12.15 Um Shama
12.50 Nutini
1.25 Breathless Times
2.00 Red Impression
2.35 Captain Lars
3.10 Topology
3.40 Ross Raith Rover
WOLVERHAMPTON
5.15 Carlovian
5.45 A Sure Welcome
6.15 Barnaby Brook
6.45 Earl Of Bunnacurry
7.15 Battle Of Wills
7.45 Dalmore
8.15 Jem Scuttle
8.45 Lucky Lodge