The Cheltenham Festival hero can put down a marker for the Grand National with victory, while a 6-1 shot trained by Dan Skelton gets the nap vote at Ascot
MYRETOWN (3.15, trb) is worth another chance at Haydock on Saturday
The brilliant winner of the Ultima at last year’s Cheltenham Festival can clout the odd fence and he blundered his chance away in the Peter Marsh Chase four weeks ago.
He still ran a big race and if he can produce a clean round in the William Hill Half A Mill Grand National Trial, I fancy him to have too much class for his rivals.
Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore have the National itself in April at the back of their minds but their horse will need to go up in the ratings to have a better chance of getting into the race.
KABRAL DU MATHAN (2.05) is hard to oppose in the ZYN Rendlesham Hurdle.
The six-year-old will have to prove his stamina as he tackles three miles for the first time, especially on testing ground.
But he showed no signs of stopping when scooting to success over 2m4f in the Relkeel Hurdle on New year’s Day.
Beauport and Henri The Second will ensure it is a true test.
Stamina looked no problem at all for LON CHANEY (2.40) when he won at Uttoxeter recently.
Sean Bowen’s charge hit the line strongly and is stepped up in class in a competitive looking Albert Bartlett Prestige Novices’ Hurdle.
JONBON (3.35) is a confident choice to win the Betfair Ascot Chase. It looks like a match between him and Pic d’Orhy – winner for the past two years – but the latter is a better horse on better ground and may struggle to produce his best in the conditions.
KILDINAN PRINCE (1.15) is worth a roll of the dice in a tray looking novice hurdle that kicks off ITV4’s coverage while THE JUKEBOX KID (1.50) should take the Grade Two Injured Jockeys’ Fund Ambassadors Programme Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase following the scratching of Thpomas Mor.
LIGHTINGUPOURDAYS (2.25) is interesting in the Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle and may have sneaked in under the radar near the bottom of the weights.
JIPCOT (3.00) looks like a cheeky little bet at Ascot.
The seven-year-old bounced back to form with a runaway success at Leicester recently.
Ben Pauling’s beast is thrust into Class 1 company in the £100,000 Betfair Swinley Handicap Chase.
Jipcot has gone up 8lb in the weights but there still seems to be plenty of upside to him.
He likes racing right-handed and ran well at the Berkshire track as a novice. At 6-1 he is a fair price.
Joyeux Machin and Montregard should give my selection most to worry about.
Venetia Williams can’t win an argument at the moment and her last 70 runners have all failed to win.
But plenty are being placed and Hunter Legend could nick a podium finish for the beleaguered trainer at a nice price (14-1).
JASON HEAVEY’S SATURDAY TIPS
ASCOT
1.15 Kildinan Prince
1.50 Thomas Mor
2.25 Lightingupourdays
3.00 Jipcot
3.35 Jonbon
4.10 Top Guy (Nap)
4.45 Martini Majesty
HAYDOCK
12.55 Macktoad
1.28 Throatlash (trb)
2.05 Kabral Du Mathan
2.40 Lon Chaney
3.15 Myretown (trb)
3.50 Gwennie May Star
4.30 Shearer
WINCANTON
12.35 Eton Mes
1.05 Sunday Soldier
1.35 Alexei
2.11 Marhaba Prince
2.50 Saint Cyr De Pail
3.23 Jack Black
4.00 Cooleenymore
4.37 Badentaggart
LINGFIELD
12.50 Voix De Bocelli
1.25 Into The Light
2.00 Hello Luna
2.35 Elouise’s Prince
3.10 Heathcliff
3.45 Uncle Nader
4.20 Combustion
NEWCASTLE
4.25 Prince Achille
4.55 Teardrops
5.25 Ruby Red Gove
5.55 Aisling Oscar
6.25 Rogue Rebellion
6.55 Party Bear
7.25 Silver State