ITV Racing fans are in for a thrilling afternoon of action on Saturday, with racing coming to us live from three of Britain's premier National Hunt tracks. The Ascot Chase is the headline act on the card at Ascot, while Haydock and Wincanton stage important races of their own.
Let's jump straight into Saturday's bet betting tips!
Saturday's ITV Racing Schedule
Time
Track
Title
1:50pm
Ascot
Bateaux London Reynoldstown Novices' Chase
(Grade 2) 3m
2:05pm
Haydock
William Hill Rendlesham Hurdle (Grade 2) 3m½f
2:25pm
Ascot
'My Oddsboost' On Betfair Swinley Chase (A Limited Handicap) (Listed
Race) 3m
2:40pm
Haydock
William Hill Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 3m4½f
3:00pm
Ascot
Betfair Cheltenham Free Bet Pot Builder Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class
2) 2m3½f
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KALOOKI may be the outsider of the field with the bookmakers, but the form he's shown this season is up there with any of the other five runners. Philip Hobbs' seven-year-old thrashed House Island on his chase debut, before following Next Destination and One For The Team home in the John Francombe.
Richard Johnson attempted to match Shan Blue's jumping at the head of the field in the Kauto Star, but mistakes at the sixth and fith-last fences took their toll, and he was pulled up three from home.
Kalooki went down narrowly to Ramses De Teillee on heavy ground over three miles at Haydock last season, so I don't think the ground will phase him this weekend. He could go well.
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MAIN FACT'S incredible winning streak came to an end in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot, where David Pipe's eight-year-old was outclassed by the likes of Paisley Park, Thyme Hill and Roksana, who will go on to compete at the Cheltenham Festival.
Despite that lengthy defeat, Main Fact had shown enough to suggest he can compete for honours at Graded level. Fergus Gillard's mount came from off the pace to win the Grade Three Handicap Hurdle here on Betfair Chase day, and similar tactics could pay off on Saturday.
COBOLOBO ran a fine trial for this Listed Handicap here at Ascot last month. Despite some early mistakes, Jonjo O'Neill's mount was still travelling well turning for home, and eventually lost out by just three lengths to a well-handicapped sort in Enqarde.
Considering he was carrying top-weight, the way Cocolobo travelled and responded to pressure was excellent. O'Neill's nine-year-old has just 10-12 to shoulder here - a welcome change to the sort of weights he's been impressing under all season.
Both Enqarde (right) and Cobolobo (centre) feature prominently in our tips for Saturday. (Getty)
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Victory for Cobolobo at Ascot would see ENQARDE'S price at Haydock plummet even further, and he looks a good bet to win this marathon off bottom-weight.
Richard Newland's French recruit made his chase debut in the Tommy Whittle here at Haydock, and was moving nicely prior to a race-ending mistake at the half-way stage. Enqarde then jumped a little novicey at Ascot, but was well on top in the closing stages, and he looks the type who will relish this extra distance.
Most bookies are going 6/1 the field here, so it's clearly a wide-open handicap. The one I fancy backing is MALAYA, who finished second to run-away winner Nordano in this race 12 months ago.
Paul Nicholls' mare is now two pounds lower in the handicap and will carry nine pounds less on her back this time around. Malaya returned to something like her best when fourth at Kempton last time out, and this step back up in trip will suit.
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Tom Symonds could have one eye on the Aintree Hurdle with Song For Someone, while Gary Moore is keen to just get a run into Goshen before he has a crack at the Champion Hurdle.
In contrast, Donald McCain could have NAVAJO PASS primed to collect his second Grade Two in a row, having lowered Buveur D'Air's colours in The New One Hurdle at Haydock. Although that win was a surprise, there was nothing flukey about Navajo Pass' performance, and I think he's the most appealing prospect at the odds.
Kalooki1:50pm Ascot Bateaux London Reynoldstown Novices' Chase (Grade 2) 3mGET 13/2 HERE
Main Fact2:05pm Haydock William Hill Rendlesham Hurdle (Grade 2) 3m½fGET 6/1 HERE
Cobolobo E/W2:25pm Ascot 'My Oddsboost' On Betfair Swinley Chase (A Limited Handicap) (Listed Race) 3mGET 11/2 HERE
Navajo Pass3:18pm Wincanton Betway Kingwell Hurdle (Grade 2) 1m7½fGET 7/2 HERE