Saturday ITV Racing Tips: Mark Milligan with three to back at up to 11/1

• Southern raider to land big Haydock prize

• Long Walk Hurdle can head to France

• Richards mare fancied in listed contest

14:05, Haydock - Back Saladins Son @ 5/16.00

Saturday sees the final day of high-class jumps racing before we head into the Christmas period and let's hope we can top up the coffers ready for the feast of racing we get from Boxing Day onwards.

I'm old enough to remember the days when the Tommy Whittle Chase was a serious pointer to the Cheltenham Gold Cup, with the likes of Forgive N Forget and The Thinker winning it on the way to the Festival. Since becoming a handicap, it doesn't really attract that calibre of horse anymore, but it's certainly more competitive for it, and this year's renewal looks no exception, with plenty boasting some sort of chance.

Grande Geste and Jack's Parrot head the betting on the Sportsbook and both hail from northern yards that know the time of day in this sort of contest.

However, I'm going to side with southern raider Saladins Son, who relishes testing ground and conditions should be right up his alley at Haydock on Saturday.

Anthony Honeyball's seven-year-old has won two of his four starts over fences and didn't at all run badly when second on his return at this track last month. The ground wasn't all that deep then and he should get a much stiffer test of stamina this time, while there still looks to be plenty of mileage in his current handicap mark of 122.

14:25, Ascot - Back Jet Blue E/W @ 11/112.00

The staying hurdle division isn't all that deep currently and it could pay to take a bit of a flyer with French raider Jet Blue in the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle.

David Cottin's charge won a Grade 2 Cheltenham novice hurdle around this time last year before being relatively well fancied for the Albert Bartlett at the Festival, but he ran a rather flat race there, even allowing for being crowded for room at one point. However, he's had two runs in France this season and looked right back on song when finishing second to Losange Bleu in the most recent of them.

That one is probably just about the best hurdler in France currently, so the form has a very solid look to it.

As mentioned earlier, this division doesn't look all that strong currently and the best of the home team may well be Impose Toi, who is on the upgrade and remains unexposed over staying trips.

Cases can also be made for last year's winner Crambo, as well as Strong Leader, who was disappointing behind him there but has returned in good form, though I'm happy to take an each-way chance on Jet Blue at the current prices.

Click here to read Alan Dudman's Big Race Verdict on the Long Walk Hurdle

14:40, Haydock - Back La Zoubida E/W @ 13/27.50

This Listed mares' novices' hurdle has a fascinating look to it and I'm keen to be with Nicky Richards' La Zoubida, who has created a good impression in winning both her starts over hurdles.

The French-bred daughter of Authorized was a bumper winner at Market Rasen earlier this year before running down the field Grade 2 company at Aintree, but has really elevated her game since going over obstacles, winning at both Sedgefield and Kelso.

Neither of those races were particularly deep but she won both in good style and, given her pedigree, she's unlikely to find the testing conditions at Haydock counting against her.

The main feature of both her successes has been how accurately La Zoubida has been with her jumping and that trait seems sure to stand her in good stead as she bids to take this step up in class in her stride.

However, this does look competitive, with plenty of other progressive types in opposition, so an each-way play is probably the way to go.

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