Horse Racing | Friday, November 24, 2023 6:30 PM (Revised at: Monday, November 27, 2023 9:49 AM)

Saturday’s Horse Racing Tips: Ascot, Haydock, November 25th

Action Plus Sports Images / Alamy Stock Photo Horse racing at Haydock Park; Knockanrawley ridden by Mikey Hamill jumps the last and runs on to win The Vulcan Village Veterans Chase.

Stephen Harris

Horse Racing Expert

Today’s Racing Tips – November 25th

Saturday’s ITV cameras cover two top class jumping cards from Ascot and Haydock, with the ground likely to be drying out after a settled week of weather across the UK. The Betfair Chase is the highlight in terms of quality at 3.00pm, with the race boasting a long history of top class performances from household names in the jumping scene.

In this article:

Today’s Daily Nap

Dubrovnik Harry

Haydock 2:20 (UK time)

Harry Fry’s handicapper always goes best when the ground is properly testing, and he has optimum conditions to get back on the winning trail at Haydock on Saturday. He shaped well racing wide throughout in a strong Cheltenham handicap on his seasonal reappearance after eights months off, and that run should have brought him forwards fitness wise (with the yard now finally hitting top form in the past week).

Odds: NA

Today’s Value Angle

Royal Pagaille

Haydock 3:00 (UK time)

Venetia Williams has maintained a strike rate above 35pc in recent weeks, and her proven mudlark looks better value than the market principals in this valuable Grade 1 prize. He has run four times at this track, winning on three occasions on testing ground and finishing a cracking second on the other, and fresh first time up under a positive ride from the front could well be the time to catch him.

Odds: NA

Odds are best odds available as at 9am November 25th 2023. Odds may now differ.

ITV Racing Tips – Saturday November 25th

Time (UK)	Track	Horse	Analysis
1:30	Ascot	Shiskin	Nicky Henderson’s classy chaser has swerved Haydock on testing ground to come to Ascot, and he should appreciate the drying decent ground over this 2m5f trip. He has won 9 of his 12 races over fences, despite occasionally hitting a flat spot at the highest level, and this Grade 2 looks a terrific starting point under regular rider Nico de Boinville.
1:50	Haydock	Gillard De Mesnil	Willie Mullins classy performer has won 2 from 10 over fences, revelling on testing ground that suits ideally when winning the NH Chase at the Cheltenham festival in March. A positive front-running ride from Brian Hayes is very much on the cards, and his fluent jumping and good attitude under pressure should make him very hard to pass up the long Haydock straight.
2:05	Ascot	Sceau Royal	Alan King’s veteran is not the force of old, but he is still well capable when getting decent ground that he prefers and should strip a lot fitter for his first run of the season behind the classy Rubaud at Kempton last month. He is a smooth traveller who has won a remarkable 11 of his 30 career starts over hurdles, and this intermediate trip looks ideal in a weak Grade 2.
2:20	Haydock	Dubrovnik Harry	Harry Fry’s handicapper always goes best when the ground is properly testing, and he has optimum conditions to get back on the winning trail at Haydock on Saturday. He shaped well racing wide throughout in a strong Cheltenham handicap on his seasonal reappearance after eights months off, and that run should have brought him forwards fitness wise (with the yard now finally hitting top form in the past week).
3:00	Haydock	Royal Pagille	Venetia Williams has maintained a strike rate above 35pc in recent weeks, and her proven mudlark looks better value than the market principals in this valuable Grade 1 prize. He has run four times at this track, winning on three occasions on testing ground and finishing a cracking second on the other, and fresh first time up under a positive ride from the front could well be the time to catch him.
3:15	Ascot	Boothill	Harry Fry’s progressive young chaser has won 4 from 8 since going over fences, and impressed under a confident ride over this course and distance on his reappearance here in October (travelling strongly from well off the pace before finishing strongly). He has a good make up with plenty of proven frontrunners in the line up for this Class 2 prize, and can swoop late and defy a 6lb higher mark under Jonathan Burke.
3:35	Haydock	Famous Bridge	Nicky Richards progressive stayer has won 2 from 5 since going over fences, and he posted a promising effort when fourth on his seasonal reappearance at Ayr earlier in the month. The stronger pace assured in this better race should suit, and Brian Hughes will be looking to swoop after the last as the frontrunners tire.