Ascot & Haydock selections Saturday 20th December
The final Saturday of racing action before Christmas and we have plenty to look forward to with big cards at Ascot and Haydock. The Berkshire track certainly is the highlight with an open looking Grade 1 staying hurdle as the feature. However there are three cracking handicaps during the afternoon that I like the look of better. I also have a best bet for Haydock’s supporting fixture. O’Connell was a winner for us in the previous column (advised 3/1).
Ascot 1.50: Scarface
In a race where you can make positives and negatives for the entire field, I am hopeful that SCARFACE can bounce back to form in the first time blinkers.
This horse is a bit of a loveable old rogue who can miss the break and then does not always find ass much under pressure as you think. That was certainly the case at Newbury last time, where he moved nicely into contention three out before folding so quickly he did not even finish the contest. The fact stronger headgear is employed today would suggest that connections think it was a mental rather than physical issue than induced that weak finish.
Encouragingly, he responded well to first time headgear when winning first time in cheekpieces a couple of seasons ago at Plumpton, and he could be one of those horses that just needs a change of circumstance to motivate him. He had started this campaign well with a second place in the Badger Beer at Wincanton, though the extended 3m trip might have been too far that day. He also has plenty of decent form around Ascot including a win over hurdles.
Haydock 2.05: Saladins Son
A horse who made an excellent return over this course and distance last month, SALADINS SON can go one place better today and over turn the winner that day Top of the Bill on 9lbs better terms.
This gelding is still totally unexposed over fences having only raced four times over the bigger obstacles. However he already looks a solid jumper who stays well, is versatile regarding ground conditions, and has an element of natural pace too. That all came to the fore here, but the winner was perhaps slightly more at peak fitness and the selection might improve more for the outing.
The 9lbs improvement in terms will clearly help too, as will a lovely low racing weight of 10-5. He seems happy on a flat track and surely has more to offer at the age of seven.
Ascot 3.00: Johnnywho & Transmission
Despite the fact the Jonjo O’Neill horses were out of form in the autumn, I think JOHNNYWHO made a perfectly satisfactory reappearance at Aintree last month in the Sefton Chase, moving nicely into contention before blowing up two out, yet staying on close to the finish. That 2m5f trip was probably too short and the stable shut up shop for a couple of weeks after than, and have been in decent form since resuming full operations.
Last year he looked all over the winner in the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival, but did not get up the hill quiet as well as Daily Present, and then ran a cracker to be fifth in the Irish National, though again there were questions to answer about his stamina in a marathon. Perhaps a truly run 3m will be what he needs and he still looks handicapped to win a big prize such as this.
I think TRANSMISSION is worth an each-way look with champion Sean Bowen in the saddle. This horse has only ever jumped fences around Cheltenham, and despite winning there last autumn, I don’t think that track really suits him. He has a tendency to jump right and is a hold up horse, both traits that go against him round there.
However he might be far better suited to Ascot and he remains on a decent mark just a pound higher than for his last win. He is a strong stayer and if they go off fast here, provided Bowen can keep him in touch, I expect him to be coming on strongly at the end.
Ascot 3.35: Helnwein & Mondo Man
A lot of this race revolves around whether Alexei can show himself to be a graded performer in a handicap now he has to give weight all round. Whilst he was a brilliant winner of the Greatwood, I was impressed by the way HELNWEIN went in the race and on 9lbs better terms, I can see him turning the form around.
Helnwein had already won a big handicap hurdle at Sandown as a novice. He did not take to chasing last season, but finished the term well with a second in the Swinton at Haydock and I think his Cheltenham comeback was a career best. He travelled beautifully throughout and whilst he was no match for Alexei up the hill, the winner was hard fit whilst Helnwein is entitled to improve for the outing.
If MONDO MAN car reproduce his classy flat form though he will prove hard to beat off 123. This horse was fifth in a French Derby and fourth at Royal Ascot in 2024. Whilst he has yet to win in four attempts over hurdles, he is rated accordingly and he has shown plenty of signs of getting the hang of jumping now.
Although beaten at Lingfield last month, that was his first run since May and will have served the purpose of bringing him on for today. He tended to race too freely last season, but a strong gallop here will allow him to settle nicer and in any case he did race more kindly at Lingfield. The ground conditions will be no issue and the Moores have plenty of success at this track.
Recommended bets:
1pt each-way – Scarface – 1.50 Ascot – 16/1 general
1pt each-way – Saladins Son – 2.05 Haydock – 5/1 Ladbrokes (¼ odds 1st 3)
1pt each-way – Johnnywho – 3.0 Ascot – 13/2 William Hill (¼ odds 1st 4)
0.5pts each-way – Transmission – 3.0 Ascot – 10/1 general (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 4)
1pt each-way – Helnwein – 3.35 Ascot – 11/1 general (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 4)
1pt win – Mondo Man – 3.35 Ascot – 3/1 general
