Channel 4 Racing – Ascot, Haydock and Lingfield: Best Betting Tips For Saturday

A packed day of racing on Saturday see’s the latest Classic trials take place at Lingfield, whilst Ascot and Haydock play host to competitive handicaps. Here we take a look at all the live Channel 4 races and provide some best bets for the day

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1.50 – Pertemps Network Long Distance Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) 3m

E/W Selection: BLACK THUNDER @ 16/1 with William Hill

Black Thunder ran well at Haydock last season when a fast finishing 2^nd behind Yesyoucan over 2m4f. He ran well in the Lanzarote after that before taking a fall in the Coral Cup as he started to make his challenge. Returned with a lesser effort at Sandown on his last start but was doing all his best work late on that day and this step up to 3 miles should suit him well. He races off 5lb higher than his 2^nd place run here back in November but he should remain competitive. Versatile ground wise but did win a bumper on fast ground so that may well bring about improvement if the rain stays away, but trip looks sure to suit well regardless of conditions and likely to be in the mix

2.05 – Leo Bancroft Signature Haircare Handicap (Class 3) 1m4f

E/W Selection: ANGEL GABRIAL @ 11/2 with Betfred

The Marwan Koukash colours have been carried to success several times this week at Chester and the owner will be hoping that form continues when Angel Gabrial runs at Ascot on Saturday. Twice a winner last season he ran a fair race over this course and distance in a valuable handicap back in September to finish 6^th; he met some trouble in running that day and finished the race well. He ran poorly in the Musselburgh Gold Cup on his seasonal reappearance but ran much better last time out when just denied at Windsor. This is a better race but he should be spot on fitness-wise after those two outings, conditions will suit and with more luck in running he is weighted to be competitive

2.20 – Betfred ‘The Bonus King’ Oaks Trial Stakes (Fillies’ Listed) (Class 1) 1m3f106y

Selection: SECRET GESTURE @ 10/11 with Coral

A well-bred daughter of Galileo who got off the mark on her second career start when comfortably winning a maiden race in heavy ground at Newbury last October. She is likely to make up into a middle-distance performer this season and connections will be hoping she is good enough to take up her engagement in the Oaks. She had the re-opposing Enaitch 4L behind her at Newbury and with this step up in trip set to bring about improvement it is easy to see why she is a strong favourite for this contest. Miss You Too chased home some useful prospects last season and also holds Oaks entries, but is more exposed than the selection. Secret Gesture looks potentially better than the rest of the field though and can take this on her way to bigger prizes

2.40 – Buckhounds Stakes (Listed) (Class 1) 1m4f

Selection: MAIN SEQUENCE @ 6/5 with Bet Victor

Winner of the Betfred Derby Trial at Lingfield on this day last year this gelded four year old went on to finish 2^nd to Camelot in the Derby and a close 4^th in the Grand Prix de Paris behind Imperial Monarch. He was narrowly denied in the Great Voltigeur at York (Thomas Chippendale was 4L behind him) before seemingly not seeing out the trip in the St Leger. Remains a smart horse pattern performer and a drop to this level could well see him get his head back in front. Racing off level weights he does concede a fitness advantage to his main rivals but on this faster ground he looks the most assured stayer and he ought to go close on his return

2.55 – Betfred Derby Trial Stakes (Listed) (Class 1) 1m3f106y

Selection: GREATWOOD @ 8/11 with Coral

This Derby entry won a maiden back in October at Kempton and returned as a three year old last month when just denied in a valuable sales race at Newmarket. The winner Windhoek has won again since and with Greatwood likely to improve for the extra furlong that form gives him leading claims here. He is bred to stay well and with that run behind him he ought to take this race if he is to be considered a contender for races such as the Derby. Nevis represents Aiden O’Brien and will be suited by the step up in trip, but he is making his seasonal reappearance and will need to be fairly smart in order to deny Greatwood

3.15 – Bovis Homes Fillies’ Handicap (Class 2) 1m

Selection: WESTWITHTHENIGHT @ 15/8 with Sky Bet

Westwiththenight struggled to make an impact last season but returned recently with a facile success at Doncaster, travelling strongly before asserting close home to win by 5L. This contest is much stronger and she races off 11lb higher here but the manner of that victory suggested there could be much more to come from her. Richard Hughes is booked to ride and the Haggas yard is in good form so with conditions to suit she can go well again. There are several in the field who like to press on from the front so a strongly run race is likely which will play to her strengths

3.30 – Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) 2m

E/W Selection: CRY OF FREEDOM @ 11/1 with Bet Victor

This gelded son of Street Cry had been running well in some decent company last season but struggled to get his head back in front after his debut success. A Listed winner on the flat good ground is the key to him and his chances here will depend on the rain staying away. If it does then he may be able to build on his win last time out when fitted with a first time visor. A change of tactics paid dividends that day and if they go the same way again and allow him to go off in front he can make the most of the tight track with his speed. This is a far more competitive race and more is required off his revised mark but he remains open to progress if the ground stays quick

3.50 – Betfred Victoria Cup (Handicap) (Class 2) 7f

E/W Selection: REBELLIOUS GUEST @ 40/1 with Bet Victor

This four year old endured a troubled campaign last term after picking up an illness after his poor run in the Greenham Stakes, but he didn’t shape too badly over this course and distance in the Jersey Stakes. Hampered coming out of the stalls he had to switch out to get a clear run and to finish a 4L 13^th was respectable in that company. He struggled to back that up over 6f last time out but that trip is inadequate and this will suit him better. He has been gelded over the summer and now returns off a long break with fitness having to be taken on trust. He is still lightly raced and open to improvement especially on better ground. Ignoring his last run he has ran in some good company and a mark of 97 may not prove beyond him. Tough race to bounce back to form in but a big price and could show an improved level of form given his problems throughout last season

Multiple Bets (All odds courtesy of Coral – open an account here)

Lingfield Trials Double – SECRET GESTURE and GREATWOOD @ 23/10 with Coral

Win Treble – SECRET GESTURE, MAIN SEQUENCE and GREATWOOD @ just under 6/1 with Coral

4-fold – SECRET GESTURE, MAIN SEQUENCE, GREATWOOD and WESTWITHTHENIGHT @ just over 18/1 with Coral

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