Free horse racing tips for today: Lingfield, Ascot, Taunton, Haydock and Wolverhampton – The Wizard of Odds’ betting preview for Saturday, January 19

WAK the bookies in the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock (3.15).

WAKANDA is as genuine as they come and should be spot on for a tilt at this quality staying contest.

He’s the kind of horse that needs a couple of runs to get into his stride and he’s had those now and ran a solid fourth in the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby on Boxing Day.

Sue Smith’s 10-year-old went well for most of that race and was right in contention until the final fence when he looked a little rusty before boxing on under Danny Cook.

It’s always useful to have a course win under your belt at Haydock and he ticks that box thanks to a victory in a Grade 2 chase here as a novice.

The handicapper has given him a chance too by dropping his mark to just 1lb higher than his Listed win at Doncaster that came this time last year.

He saw out every yard of the 3m distance there and it was no disgrace to come up short afterwards at the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals.

The bookies are taking a chance by offering 12-1 and he can make them pay by hitting the frame at least.

Another one that could be overpriced is Otago Trail. He hasn’t been the easiest to get on the track so has few miles on the clock for an 11-year-old.

He won in decent company at Sandown at the start of 2017 but was off for almost two years afterwards, coming back with a good third at Newcastle last month.

In-form Venetia Williams then turned him out again quickly at Ascot where he didn’t get going. He clearly has some ability and could have a lot more to offer as he steps up in distance.

At the other end of the betting, Valtor was the impressive winner of that same Ascot race and has been hiked 12lb as a result.

It was his first run for Nicky Henderson after moving from France where he held his own in Grade 1 company. He looks a thorough stayer and could follow up despite giving away so much weight.

Connections will be able to pat BENATAR after he wins Ascot’s 3.00.

Gary Moore’s seven-year-old has a lot more to offer in the staying ranks and had no issue seeing out a slightly longer trip in the red-hot Silver Cup here last time out.

He goes off the same mark as that excellent third place effort when he wasn’t alone in having no answer to Valtor.

He probably paid the price for being a little too keen and sticking with that runaway winner until the home straight and boxed on well to stay in the places.

Jamie Moore can hopefully get him to settle a little off the pace today before coming through with a decisive run, bringing his stamina into play.

Cheltenham Festival winner Mister Whitaker ran close to his best when a decent fourth in the BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham last time and likes this trip. It will be interesting to see how he copes with this very different track to Prestbury Park.

Jerrysback was a 50-1 winner at Bangor at the start of December and showed that was no fluke by finishing second in a Grade 2 here last time out.

He sees out this trip well and there could be a lot more to come off what looks a fair handicap mark.

BALLYMOY won with plenty in hand at Haydock last time and can follow up in Ascot’s 2.25.

He is gunning for his sixth victory in seven runs and had enough in hand to suggest that a 5lb rise in the weights wouldn’t put the brakes on.

This trip is ideal and he seems to go on any ground. Although he’s been busy, he gives the impression that there’s even more to come.

ASCOT

12.40   Beat The Judge

1.15     Ecu De La Noverie

1.50     Magic Of Light

2.25     Ballymoy

3.00     Benatar

3.35     Altior

4.05     Moonlighter

HAYDOCK

12.55   Bahama Moon

1.30     Crucial Role

2.05     Mister Fisher

2.40     Mohaayed

3.15     Wakanda

3.45     Admirals Secret

4.15     Highland Hunter

LINGFIELD

12.50   Narjes

1.25     Family Fortunes

2.00     Redicean

2.35     Originaire

3.10     Maximum Power

3.40     Dotted Swiss

TAUNTON

1.05     Silver Quay

1.40     Thomas Darby

2.15     Unison

2.50     Vicente

3.25     Before Midnight

3.55     Railroad Junkie

4.25     Miss Honey Ryder

WOLVERHAMPTON

4.40     Blessed To Empress

5.15     Liberation Day

5.45     A Sure Welcome

6.15     The Way You Dance

6.45     Um Shama

7.15     Deira Surprise

7.45     Apex Predator

8.15     Captain Ryan