‘He shouldn’t be as huge as 16-1’ – Jason Heavey’s Saturday racing ideas

The Daily Star Chief Tipster has singled out an outsider in one of Ascot’s big handicaps on Saturday, while he reckons hotpot Il Etait Temps should stroll to success in the feature race

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JUNGLE BOOGIE (2.20) could have punters doing a jig of delight at Ascot on Saturday.

On a day when odds-on hotpot IL ETAIT TEMPS (3.30) should make short work of his three rivals in the Grade One BetMGM Clarence House Chase, it could pay to look elsewhere for betting value on an excellent card.

At 16-1, old boy Jungle Boogie might be the answer, especially for each-way backers.

He likes Ascot, will appreciate the recent rain and, more crucially, he is now in the capable hands of Venetia Williams.

The 12-year-old ran with credit on his first start in more than nine months behind Matata at Cheltenham in December and he will strip fitter.

His career best came in the 2024 Cheltenham Gold Cup when he was an honourable sixth to Galopin Des Champs when trained by Henry De Bromhead. If Venetia has managed to sweeten him up, he could easily outrun his odds.

Il Etait Temps has emerged as the latest star two-miler and his success in the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown cemented his place at the top of the tree.

There has been plenty of rain at Ascot, which will suit him, and he should confirm the Sandown form with Jonbon.

Willie Mullins’ grey has won nine of his 19 races including his last five starts and has not looked back since plundering Grade One wins at Aintree, Sandown and Punchestown in the spring.

Gidleigh Park is the outsider of the four and may well outrun his odds.

Harry Fry bemoaned running him over too far on his last start when he forlornly chased home the impressive Jango Baie at the Berkshire track.

He reckons a fast-run two miles on soft ground will be ideal for his talented beast.

That fast pace should come from the remarkable Thistle Ask who has won five on the spin for Dan Skelton and gone up a whopping 50lb in the handicap.

However, most of his form has come on decent ground and the going may prove a bit too testing and the run is likely to come to an end.

MYRETOWN (2.00) is fancied to repel a strong challenge in a cracking renewal of the Sky Bet Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock.

The nine-year-old has not been sighted since falling in the Coral Gold Cup when he was in front and travelling well.

He made his name at last year’s Cheltenham Festival with a runaway success in the Ultima Handicap Chase.

Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore believe the sky is the limit for their talented chaser who remains lightly raced.

And he will have to be good to see off some classy rivals in today’s £100,000 event.

Konfusion is a rapid improver and has attracted strong support while Richmond Lake is a strong stayer and was a fast finishing third in the race 12 months ago.

Royale Pagaille can never be discounted at his favourite course although the ground may not be soft enough for this mudlark. Johhnywho is another with the talent to be competitive.

Nico De Boinville has been replaced by Harry Cobden on Jonbon so heads north to ride OLD PARK STAR (1.25) who can cement his Cheltenham claims in the Sky Bet Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle.

Nicky Henderson originally thought his promising beast would need two and a half miles but his victory at Cheltenham last month showed that he is not short of speed over two miles.

Hurricane Pat, who beat him in a bumper last season, will provide stern opposition although has to concede weight.

DALSTON LAD (2.35) is thrust into competitive handicap company in the Sky Bet Acca Freeze Handicap Hurdle after winning a little race at Sedgefield.

But he looks attractively weighted off a rating of 121 and should have plenty of improvement in him.

Some of his bumper form was very strong and the step up in trip should play to his strengths.

LA CONQUIERE (1.40) will not mind the rain that has softened the Ascot ground.

She is a perfect two from two over hurdles with smooth victories at Uttoxeter and Newbury.

On the latter occasion she turned away Charisma Cat who is very highly regarded.

The in-form Nurse Susan will provide stiff opposition and Harry Skelton will aim to pounce late but she may meet her match in La Conquiere.

There was much to like about the way CAME FROM NOWHERE (2.53) won at Hereford in December and he gets the nod in the BetMGM Holloway’s Handicap Hurdle.

Lorcan Williams will ride him with confidence and is marginally preferred to Surrey Lord.

Elsewhere I strongly fancy THE CRAFTYMASTER (12.05, nb) to return to winning ways at Lingfield. Prolific on the sand two years ago, he has been edging back to somewhere near his best.

And AL NAJASHI ( 8.30, trb) is another who could be a potential blot on the handicap.

His staying on fourth to Fortification reads well.

ASCOT

12.25 Down To Business

1.00 The Jukebox Kid

1.40 La Conquiere

2.20 Jungle Boogie (Nap)

2.53 Came From Nowhere

3.30 Il Etait Temps

4.05 The Burren Man

HAYDOCK

12.15 Throatlash

12.50 Smart Decision

1.25 Old Park Star

2.00 Myretown

2.35 Dalston Lad

3.10 Wasthatok

3.45 Kykorock

TAUNTON

12.55 Kilwaughter

1.32 Heron In The Park

2.05 Smile Back

2.43 Jaipaletemps

3.15 Walk On High

3.50 Edgewell

4.20 Bigz Belief

LINGFIELD

11.30 Lord Mayor

12.05 The Craftymaster (nb)

12.40 Completely Random

1.15 Morrophore

1.55 Northern Empire

2.30 Watermelon Melon

3.05 East Tyrone

3.40 Tommy’s Promise

SOUTHWELL

5.00 Al Hofzan

5.30 Beckon

6.00 Balqaa

6.30 Relevant Range

7.00 You Got To My Soul

7.30 Master Of My Fate

8.00 Mr Nugget

8.30 Al Najashi (trb)