This Saturday’s jump’s racing is something to savour. We have incredible cards coming from both Haydock and Ascot, with the former hosting the first Grade 1 of the season proper, the Betfair Chase.
Ascot hosts a pair of graded races too, with the feature being the Grade 2 Ascot Hurdle. I’ll be focusing on the action at Haydock, with William Hill providing plenty of extra place races.
When backing Outsiders such as mine, it’s crucial to get the best place terms possible. William Hill are offering extra places in four Haydock contests, which makes them the bookmaker of choice! You can find all my picks below.
4 PLACES INSTEAD OF 3 WITH WILLIAM HILL!
Mainly progressive over fences last term, Sam’s Adventure should have plenty more to offer in his second season over the larger obstacles. He was a winner at Uttoxeter two starts ago and he looked in need of the run on seasonal return at Carlisle.
After just six chasing starts, it’s best to forgive that effort. He’s still unexposed in this sphere, especially as a stayer. He relishes softer ground and shapes as though he’ll continue to improve if he’s kept at three miles and beyond. Brian Ellison is among the winners and there’s plenty to like about his chances.
6 PLACES INSTEAD OF 4 WITH WILLIAM HILL!
Winning a pair of races last season, Le Ligerien found the Festival all too much when safely held in the County Hurdle. That run is forgivable, however, and he ran well on seasonal return when third at Chepstow last month.
Given his record when fresh, it’s safe to assume he’ll take a big step forward from that effort. He shapes as though he’ll relish stepping up to 2m 3f this season, finishing a close second over this distance at Taunton last year.
His current rating remains achievable and potent combination of Hobbs and Johnson are in great form. The going is in his favour and there can be plenty of hope he’ll be heavily involved, especially back at Haydock, where he posted his career-best effort to date.
We certainly haven’t seen the best of Dolphin Square just yet. Winning four of his nine hurdling starts thus far, he’s finished second in a pair of starts since winning easily at Ludlow back in January.
He was making his seasonal debut at Newbury earlier this month, finishing a close second and shaping as though he had plenty more to offer. He’s edged up two pounds for that, but he should be all the better for that pipe-opener and Richard Johnson retaining the ride should help matters.
On just his fourth start over three miles, this promising stayer can take another step forward.
Clyne simply loves Haydock and it’s impossible to leave him out of my selections given his huge odds for today’s contest. His Haydock record stands at 11232445 and although he’s far from consistent, he ran plenty of good races last season.
That included a close second at Chepstow over Christmas over the 2m 7f distance, racing off three pounds lower today. He’s not always convinced of his stamina over the distance, but he shaped as though he needed it on seasonal return at Aintree.
Back at Haydock, off such a dangerous rating, there’s no better time than this for him to throw up a career-best effort over the distance. Jordon Nailor takes five pounds off his back and he’s impossible to discount with any confidence.