Saturday Racing Cheat Sheet: Best bets for ITV Racing at Ascot and Haydock plus Paul Nicholls

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Tips Summary

Saturday horse racing tips and insight

Ascot, 13:40 - Timeform Verdict:  Henderson runner looks interesting

Joyeuse is still on a bit of a revival mission, but she wasn't seen to best effect (shuffled back home turn) in a high-end course and disttance handicap on most recent outing and looks interesting on these terms back against her own sex.

La Conquiere has won both her hurdle starts with something up her sleeve and looks sure to go on improving now stepping up further in grade, with fellow hat-trick seeker Nurse Susan also commanding plenty of respect.

Haydock, 14:00 - Mark Milligan: Myretown can complete unfinished business

This year's renewal of the Sky Bet Peter Marsh Handicap Chase has a cracking look to it, with old stager Royale Pagaille attempting to fend off a trio of credible younger rivals at a course where he goes so well. Venetia Williams' veteran made a sound return to action when second to Grey Dawning in the Betfair Chase in November, though it's perhaps worth noting he didn't go on from that race last season having taken it on his reappearance.

Nicky Henderson's Johnnywho looks the type to bag a big staying handicap this season - perhaps even the National itself - and he isn't readily passed over, though neither is Konfusion, who has been very much on the up as a chaser and did this column a favour when winning at Wetherby last time.

However, there's an air of unfinished business about Myretown, who was in a good rhythm in front in the Coral Gold Cup in November before coming to grief at the ninth. Despite having a couple of falls on his CV, Myretwon's jumping is largely sound and was a feature of his three chase wins last season, including an impressive success in the Ultima at Cheltenham.

Ascot, 14:20 - Sam Turner: Hitman can thrive on drying ground

Supporting Hitman in any race isn't without peril, but the veteran remains highly capable when the mood takes him and he is worth supporting to go one better than last year in this race. The 10-year-old arrived at the final fence in full Hitman mode 12 months ago, travelling strongly and looking to have the race within his grasp.

Unfortunately for connections, he wasn't as fluent as the winner Terresita at the final obstacle, allowing Lucy Wadham's mare to power clear for a decisive victory. It still remained a sound effort in defeat from Hitman with the handicappers rating it a top five career effort and the Falco gelding has at least proved this term he remains capable of finishing the job done courtesy of a smooth two-length Old Roan Chase success on his seasonal comeback.

Hitman had twice been runner-up previously in that Aintree feature before finally winning it and he has a live chance of repeating that trick here with the drying ground likely to play to his strengths.

Haydock, 14:35 - Paul Nicholls: Stay Away Fay needs to turn a corner

I'm at a loss to understand why he has performed disappointingly. We've done every test, we've done a wind-op and the only thing I've reached for is some blinkers. Olive worked him with blinkers on Thursday morning and he went quite nicely but he has got to perform on the track which he hasn't been doing. Let's hope he can turn a corner but we have been hoping he would do that for 12 months. I'm just hoping for a nice, tidy run.

Haydock, 14:35 - Mark Milligan: Phantomofthepoints looks overpriced

While respectful of Dalston Lad's obvious chances, I'm going to take him on with Phantomofthepoints, who sits just 2lb above his last winning mark and returns to hurdles following an unfortunate spill on chase debut last time.

David Pipe's son of Mount Nelson is an uncomplicated sort who should be towards the fore throughout and looks a tad overpriced at around 17/29.50.

Ascot, 14:53 - Sam Turner: Came from Nowhere is going places

Trainer Jeremy Scott was reportedly on the verge of quitting racing prior to Golden Ace's joyous Champion Hurdle success and it's safe to say there has been quite a transformation in the likeable handler's fortunes since then. Twenty six winners in the last 12 months, including nine from his last 41 runners have cemented Scott's resurgence and Came From Nowhere could hand the Somerset maestro another tidy Saturday winner in this handicap.

I was at Wincanton on Thursday in the rain to witness a similar type in Champagne Chic landed a handicap hurdle for the Scott and Williams combination and the duo teamed up to collect a sizeable prize at Hereford with the selection before Christmas.

Injury had stymied the seven-year-old's progression prior to his comeback this season, but he is making up for lost time this season and he looked like he had jumped in on the home turn under Williams last time. A 7lb rise may not be enough to stop him here if the tongue tie has the same effect and although he has been well found in the market, anything around 5/23.50 appeals.

Haydock, 15:10 - Katie Midwinter: Veteran can Wave his Magic

Despite being a 10-year-old, Magic Wave is lightly raced and remains on a workable mark, capable of showing further improvement in only his 11th hurdling start. He finished a creditable second to Both Barrels when last seen at Kelso, in his first run for a 236-day break.

Entitled to improve for his return to action, the Mark Walford-trained contender, who should be suited by the slight drop in distance, makes each-way appeal from a mark of 114. He beat now 134-rated Fingal's Hill in his latest win when rated 6lb lower, but could still be on an upward trajectory and appears on a workable mark from which he can be competitive.

In the hands of Jamie Hamilton, Magic Wave is one to note at a price of 14/115.00. He won his maiden hurdle by 28-lengths during his debut campaign over obstacles, having previously beaten The Kalooki Kid by 12-lengths in an Ayr bumper, and has been able to hold his own against tough opposition.

Ascot, 15:30 - Alan Dudman: Thistle Ask can provide Clarence House shock

Thistle Ask is the one we don't know about in terms of taking a horse of the calibre of Il Etait Temps. Jonbon has, twice in the last 12 months, and has been thumped, and while a "home match" here for Jonbon, I have a sneaking suspicion that Thistle Ask going right-handed on going that won't be hock deep might run well.

There is no option for each-way and the forecast reversed is negated by the price of the fav, so if there is to be a shock, Thistle Ask could provide it.

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