Free horse racing tips for today: Ascot and Haydock – The Wizard of Odds’ betting preview for ITV’s racing this Saturday, December 22

CANDY looks sweet in the Tommy Whittle Chase at Haydock (2.40).

KIMBERLITE CANDY is an improving staying chaser who loved heavy ground when winning with plenty in hand at Ayr last time out.

He was well backed returning from seven months off for just his third run over fences.

He travelled like a quality performer and jumped well in the testing conditions.

Tom Lacey’s six-year-old cruised along behind the leaders for a long way before zipping past them at the final fence.

He wasn’t stopping at the end of the 3m there and this isn’t a massive hike in class at a stage of his career when he’s still improving fast.

The handicapper has been more than fair with a 5lb rise in the weights and he should be well ahead of that.

Lacey continues in great form and he can add another decent prize to his tally.

Testify is better than he showed when sixth at Newcastle on his reappearance earlier this month.

He made one mistake as the pace increased and he was allowed to coast home in his own time after that.

His best form has come around here and he relishes deep ground, which he should get today.

He has a little point to prove after that effort at Gosforth Park but is capable of bouncing back.

GOLD PRESENT won Ascot’s Silver Cup (3.00) last year and has every chance of following up.

Nicky Henderson’s eight-year-old put in an impressive effort 12 months ago when enjoying similar ground to today.

Things did not go plan after that convincing success but he was pitched into the Ultima at the Cheltenham Festival before finishing the campaign in the Scottish Grand National under top weight.

There were much more positive signs on his comeback from seven months off when he finished third in a Grade 2 contest here last month.

Henderson had given him a breathing operation since Ayr and it seems to have helped as he travelled with his old zip.

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He led until three out over the inadequate 2m5f trip before the speedier horses took over.

He comes here just 5lb higher in the weights than when winning 12 months ago and with conditions in his favour again.

Jammin Masters is an interesting contender for Warren Greatrex.

He shaped well on his comeback from six months off when finishing a good second at Carlisle last time out.

Even though that track tests stamina, he found the 2m4f trip on the short side.

The heavy ground was right up his street and he deserves this step up in class.

He has just three chase outings to his name so there should be a lot of improvement to come.

AGRAPART loves the mud and should relish Ascot’s Long Walk Hurdle test at 2.25.

His best displays last season came in deep ground and his win in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham was a particular highlight.

Connections dropped him in distance in a bid to win a second Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock but he found the trip on the short side and had to settle for the runner-up spot.

He came back from a long break at Aintree last month when not asked too many questions over 2m4f.

It was still a decent effort to be beaten less than five lengths against some useful rivals on ground faster than ideal.

He should be much happier back in these conditions and can make a bold bid under Lizzie Kelly.

At a big price, Younevercall is stepping out of handicap company after winning well at Kempton last time out.

He scooted away from his rivals to win by 10 lengths and shapes as though he will stay this extra three furlongs.

If he does, he could reward each-way support.

ASCOT

12.40 Almost Gold

1.15 Activial

1.50 De Dollar Man

2.25 Agrapart

3.00 Gold Present

3.35 Fidux

HAYDOCK

11.50 Keyboard Gangster

12.25 Whatswrongwithyou

1.00 Queenohearts

1.35 Ontopoftheworld

2.05 Ballymoy

2.40 Kimberlite Candy

3.15 Road To Gold

LINGFIELD

12.00 Social Butterfly

12.35 Rockies Spirit

1.10 Mitigator

1.45 Prides Gold

2.15 Wissahickon

2.50 Redicean

3.25 Zarrar

NEWCASTLE

11.40 Bingo Dolivate

12.10 Western Rules

12.45 Im To Blame

1.20 Gold Opera

1.55 Eternally Yours

2.30 The Dubai Way

3.05 Beast Of Belstane