Horse racing tips: Ascot, Haydock, Wincanton, Kempton and Lingfield – Steve Mullen’s betting preview for the racing this Saturday, February 17
Steve Mullen guides you through Saturday's racing at Ascot, Wincanton, Haydock, Kempton and Lingfield.
GO Dutch in Haydock’s Grand National Trial (3.15).
THE DUTCHMAN loved this track when hammering his rivals in the classy Peter Marsh Chase last time out.
The handicapper wasn’t napping and his bumped him up the weights — but he looks like a progressive stayer.
He went through the mud really well and shaped as though this longer distance would be right up his street.
He’s only had a couple of runs for Colin Tizzard and he seems to tapped into potential we hadn’t seen before.
It was the way he travelled in the testing conditions that earmarked him for a contest like this. He moved through it really well and won’t mind if more rain comes.
Blaklion was sent off favourite for this 12 months ago and had to settle for second behind Vieux Lion Rouge. He’s improved a bit since then but comes here 9lb higher in the weights and we know his cup final is at Aintree in April.
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He loved jumping the big fences there when running away with the Becher Chase last time and is a deserved favourite for the great race. With that in mind, trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies would be entitled to leave a little to work on here.
So, while it would be no shock to see him win, a good placed effort would suffice with the National in mind.
This is a quality contest and Three Faces West is another to consider. He took a tumble here last time but is usually reliable over his fences and looks on a fair enough mark.
Wild West Wind is another who came down last time, in the Welsh National at Chepstow. He had earlier won well at the Welsh track and shapes as though this test of stamina will suit.
STOWAWAY MAGIC goes back over hurdles with a big chance in Ascot’s 3.00.
He has had a couple of decent enough efforts as a chaser this season and looks to have a future at that level.
But he hasn’t come close to matching his excellent form over timber so Nicky Henderson is making the switch back.
Steve Mullen's TV Tips
Ascot 3.00 - Stowaway Magic: 'Has a big chance back over hurdles and has handled some give in the ground before' (add to your betslip)
Haydock 3.15 - The Dutchman: 'Loved this track when hammering his rivals in the Peter Marsh Chase and he looks like a progressive stayer' (add to your betslip)
Ascot 3.35 - Top Notch: 'Looks up to winning this tougher assigment after impressive performances at Taunton and here, at Ascot, this season' (add to your betslip)
His last run in this sphere came with an excellent second at Sandown in April. He ran a cracker in a big field there and it took a quality performance from the classy Wait For Me to get the better of him.
He’s just 1lb higher in the weights today and has handled some give in the ground before.
Dieg Man comes here with a big reputation after improving on his already strong French form on his first two runs for Neil Mulholland.
He’s a lot higher than his French handicap mark but is clearly progressive.
Le Patriote is another who came across the Channel with big things expected. It hasn’t quite gone to plan since but there were signs that he was coming into himself when fourth at Cheltenham last time out.
At his best, Cue Card would have a massive chance of winning a third Ascot Chase at 3.35. But he’s 12 now and things haven’t gone well lately.
He’s fallen twice in four outings and looked a shadow of his former self behind Bristol De Mai at Haydock last time.
TOP NOTCH looks the one to beat after his impressive show at Taunton before Christmas. That came after he showed his liking for Ascot when winning a Grade 2 without coming out of second gear.
He jumped beautifully and had much more in hand than the official winning margin of eight lengths.
This is a tougher assignment but he looks up to it.
Waiting Patiently has not put a foot wrong and has improved with every classy victory. He skipped away from his rivals at Kempton last time and this slight hike in distance holds no fears.
He can fill the forecast spot with Coney Island another top-drawer performer making this a really classy renewal. He will find this harder than the three-runner contest he took here last time but is capable of better again.
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ASCOT
1.15 Count Meribel
1.50 Black Corton
2.25 Gold Present
3.00 Stowaway Magic
3.35 Top Notch
4.10 Pop Rockstar
4.45 Buildmeupbuttercup
HAYDOCK
1.30 Shambra
2.05 Agrapart
2.40 Markov
3.15 The Dutchman
3.50 Tommy Rapper
4.25 Shannon Bridge
5.00 Argocat
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WINCANTON
1.40 Jully Les Buxy
2.15 Beau Bay
2.45 Ch’Tibello
3.20 Gamain
3.55 Savoy Court
4.30 Native Robin
5.05 Embole
LINGFIELD
12.40 No Approval
1.10 Lord Murphy
1.45 Completion
2.20 Piazon
2.55 Easy Tiger
3.30 Nautical Heaven
4.15 Mrs Burbidge
4.40 Good Impression
KEMPTON
5.45 Cholellie
6.15 Galloway Hills
6.45 Inlawed
7.15 Carolinae
7.45 Darebin
8.15 Dangerous Ends