Hi all,
Ascot’s final fixture of 2025 is the perfect appetiser for the festive period and the busiest phase of the jumps season. ITV Racing are covering the final four races on the card and also head to Haydock for two contests, where the Betfred Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase (2:05) is the feature.
I’ve already sent my Saturday betting advice to subscribers, but here are my verdicts for the best of the ITV races. You can also read my preview of the Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase below.
Ascot
1:50 – Bad is better going right-handed and should go well, although he may prefer drier ground. If The Famous Five is fit enough on reappearance, he’ll be thereabouts.
2:25 – This looks between the JP McManus pair Honesty Policy and Impose Toi. I just prefer the former, though French challenger Jet Blue has each-way claims.
3:00 – On soft ground, Deep Cave must be respected. Threeunderthrufive has each-way claims, but I’m siding with Pic Roc.
3:35 – Last year’s winner Fiercely Proud won’t be far away. Wilful ticks plenty of boxes and has a big weight pull with Alexei on their running in the Welsh Champion Hurdle but may prefer better ground. Alexei and Helnwein, first and second in the Greatwood Hurdle, are the two I like most.
Haydock
The Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase used to be a Pattern race, with past winners including Cheltenham Gold Cup heroes Little Owl, Forgive ’n’ Forget and The Thinker. King George VI Chase winner One Man also landed this prize.
Today’s renewal is a pale shadow of the old race, now a Class 2 handicap, but still presents an intriguing puzzle.
2:05 – Betfred Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase (Class 2) – 3m1½f
Jacks Parrot was runner-up in this race last year and needed the run when fourth over hurdles at Bangor. This looks to have been the plan and he has strong claims.
Saladins Son ran to form when a seven-length runner-up to Top Of The Bill over C&D last month. He’s 9lb better off with the winner and softer ground could help him reverse the placings.
Famous Bridge was pulled up in the race won by Top Of The Bill last time but is a dual C&D winner, including this in 2023, and he’s now 3lb below his last winning mark. Well handicapped if the ground turns testing and he bounces back.
Grand Geste was a well-backed favourite (5/4) when narrowly beaten at Newcastle (2m4f) last time. He’s effectively 7lb higher today but, on just his third chase start, remains open to improvement. He looks ground versatile and should stay the new trip.
Latenightrumble was unsuited by the drop in trip on his Stratford return (2m3½f). A winner over three miles last season, today’s longer distance could unlock further improvement. Cheekpieces go on for the first time and he’s a lively outsider.
I’ll be back on Monday to recap Saturday’s action.
Good luck with your Saturday bets,
John