ITV Racing Tips: Saturday Each-Way Double for Haydock

There is plenty of good-quality ITV racing in store for viewers on Saturday, and the first race of the day on the channel is the Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle. It is a difficult opener to solve, but Dan Skelton’s LAC DE CONSTANCE (best price 9/1) should derive from last month’s return at Aintree and is one to consider from a 2Ib lower mark.

The seven-year-old won all three starts in novice hurdle races a couple of seasons ago, including an easy Listed win at Exeter, prior to making an impressive chase debut at Kempton, where he won by 20 lengths. His form over fences somewhat tailed off towards the end of last season, in which jumping errors played a pivotal role in his disappointments.

Nevertheless, he was ridden tentatively when a never-nearer fifth under a big weight behind Crambo on his return at Aintree, and the assessor has rightfully relented by dropping him a couple of pounds. The drop-in trip will suit, soft or good-to-soft ground will suit, and he is completely unexposed in this sphere after just four starts.

Additionally, he will get the required strong pace, and even though the stable has yet to really hit top gear so far this campaign, now should be the time that changes, and I am optimistic this talented individual has the class to serve it up to the favourite this time with fitness now assured. I am recommending backing him each way, with various firms.

The final ITV race is the Betfair 'Free Racing Multiple Today' Handicap Chase, and the one I really like here is HAUTE ESTIME (best price 14/1) who looks extremely well-handicapped off a mark of 123 and could be ready to gain a second course and chase success.

Lucinda Russell’s mare beat a good field in a Listed race over hurdles in December last year at this course, and later in the season, she ran a tremendous race to finish third in the Grade 1 Sefton Novices' Hurdle at Aintree, which is without a shadow of doubt the best piece of form in this contest.

The form has been positively advertised by the second, Gentleman At Arms, who has subsequently won a competitive hurdle race at Aintree off a mark of 124. This six-year-old looked the most likely winner before her departure in her penultimate start at Perth, but that latest effort would have been used as a confidence booster.

She isn't always the most fluent of jumpers, but there’s no reason why she can’t prove herself to be better than this level. This initial mark looks well within her grasp, judged on her hurdles form and some of her chase form, and even if Corach Rambler doesn’t win the Betfair Chase, this mare can ensure connections don’t go back to Scotland empty-handed. Four places are widely available.

Extra Tips from Architect

It is hard to knock the credentials of Gaillard Du Mesnil, who has lots of chase experience and has yet to finish out of the frame in his career after 18 starts. He was last seen finishing an excellent third in the Grand National and it is significant Patrick Mullins has come over to ride, but giving stacks of weight to Grade 1-winner Apple Away (best price 2/1) in his first run back might be difficult. 

Lucinda Russell’s charge produced a gutsy, never-say-die performance from the front in the Sefton Novices' Hurdle over three miles at Aintree Grand National Meeting and the form looks top-notch, given she had Stay Away Fay, Iroko, and Maximilian in behind, who are all high-class. Yet, none of them could get to grips with the winner, who found plenty for pressure, and should be even better over fences. 

She is proven on both soft and good ground and is likely to get an uncontested lead. There’s no doubt she has more to come and has improved tons since running with credit in her only previous visit here when half-a-length second over hurdles. Given the weight concession from the favourite and having the edge over Grey Dawning on a line through Stay Away Fay, this mare can make a successful chase debut.

This is a cracking renewal of the Grade 2 Coral Hurdle, and it’s impossible to discount any of the  quintet, but Alan King’s SCEAU ROYAL (best price 10/1) is overpriced and gets the vote to potentially roll back the years by landing the spoils. 

Alan King’s charge has primarily been campaigned over two miles during his career, but at this later stage of his career, the return to this longer trip could suit, and the last time he ran over it, he finished second in the National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell. 

In that race back in February, he split Olly Murphy’s Brewin’upastorm and Knappers Hill. He wasn’t at his best when seeking a third win in a Listed event at Kempton on his reappearance, having won the same race in his two previous seasons, but he wasn’t discredited. 

He is still a class act on his day and it’s interesting that he bypassed the Elite Hurdle this time around (second last year) in favour of this assignment. Whilst acknowledging he is vulnerable to his younger rivals, his best form would entitle him to be extremely competitive. 

Chris Gordon’s AUCUNRISQUE (best price 11/2) is an unbelievable price to reverse Wayward Lad Novices' Chase form with Boothill and gain a first win since taking the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury back in February, where he ground out victory from the front. 

The seven-year-old has form figures of 122 in this sphere, and although Boothill had his measure at Kempton, he was only beaten a length into second off level weights and will meet that rival on 11Ib better terms this time, with this course sure to play more to his strengths. 

I am a big fan of front-runners, and this classy horse, who jumps well, could get into a lovely, fluent rhythm under Rex Dingle. A recent spin over hurdles at Fontwell ought to have blown away the cobwebs and he looks well treated off a mark of 144 over fences with more to come. 

Boothill won very nicely over course and distance earlier this month, in which he had several of these in behind. However, his mark of 155 does require a new personal best, especially conceding weight to horses who are a lot better off at the weights this time, including Venetia Williams FUNAMBULE SIVOLA (best price 9/1). 

He was 20 lengths adrift of the favourite last time at the finish, but he travelled with plenty of panache for much of the contest from the front, and trainer Venetia Williams has flew out of the gates with her runners this campaign, bagging winner after winner, and did so again here yesterday, with Hold That Thought. 

Ned Fox will take the ride, who can claim 5Ib, which will essentially see last year’s Champion Chase runner-up on a mark of 148, his lowest rating since finishing second to Shishkin in a Grade 1 at Aintree in April two seasons ago. If he can get back to something near his best, this dual Grade 2 Game Spirit winner should go well.