2026 Ascot & Haydock Saturday Preview – DS
2026 Ascot & Haydock Saturday Preview
Due to the big freeze we ended up with just one runner on Saturday, our NAP Ike Sport. He was denied a place by a short head in the Lanzarote (according to the judge) so we went home empty handed. Hopefully, Dave Stevos can get back amongst the winners this weekend, his 2026 Ascot & Haydock Saturday tips are below.
1.25 Haydock – Rossington Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)
A small field for this Grade 2 novice hurdle, a recurring theme this weekend. The hugely promising Old Park Star, one of the market leaders for the Supreme, is odds on to extend his unbeaten record over hurdles to three. He won as he liked at Cheltenham last time and whilst that form may not amount to much, visually it was hugely impressive.
The oddsmakers think Hurricane Pat is the main danger and given that it was a Listed race he won at Sandown last time, it’s hard to argue with that. The horse he beat 18.5l into fourth, Sober Glory, won a Newbury novice by 13l on his next start so arguably, that is better form than the favourite’s.
Take A Chance
However, even with just two places on offer, I think it might be worth taking a chance on Japetus each way. Trained by the excellent Nicky Richards, this son of Sea The Moon runs in the colours of one of my old favourites, The Storyteller. He too brings an unblemished record over hurdles into this race, winning a maiden and a novice, both at Market Rasen.
This is a fine, big stamp of a horse who will surely make into a chaser in time. He was pretty novicey on his debut over hurdles at Market Rasen and looking at the manner of both of his wins at that sharp track, I think he could be even better on a more galloping track like Haydock.
There is a chance that he might find things happening a bit too quickly for him upped to this grade but if Japetus is still in touching distance at the top of the long home straight at Haydock, hopefully he can use his long stride to stay on well and maybe sneak a place under Brian Hughes who is on board for the first time (2/11 with another 8 top 4s for Richards this season). At 14s, he is worth chancin e/w.
2026 Ascot & Haydock Saturday Tip: Japetus e/w @ 14/1
2.00 Haydock – Peter Marsh Handicap Chase (Premier)
Only seven run but thankfully a few firms are paying three places. Myretown is short enough considering what happened him at Newbury. He’s obviously very talented but he’s now fallen on two of his last four runs so there are risks attached.
Konfusion is a chaser on the up. His rating has risen from 115 to 145 after three wins from his last four but will he be able to dominate if Myretown takes him on for the lead?
The one I’ll chance here is Imperial Saint. He’s had two middling runs at around 2m4f this season but as a result, he’s now 3lb lower than when a fine second over 3m1f at Aintree in April. With Callum Pritchard’s 3lb claim he’s got a lovely racing weight and he’s effectively just 1lb higher than when beating Richmond Lake by 6.5l at Aintree in December 2024, his last win.
I’ve already mentioned Aintree twice, so there is the chance that all roads lead back to that track for this horse later this season. However, this is a substantial pot and he’s at his best going left-handed so I can’t see any reason why he won’t handle this track. The step up to this trip is a plus, the ground is fine and if he puts his best hoof forward, Imperial Saint is more than capable of running a big race at odds of 18/1.
2026 Ascot & Haydock Saturday Tip: Imperial Saint e/w @ 18/1 (3 places) nap
2.20 Ascot – Bet365 Handicap Chase (Class 2)
Another valuable handicap chase but unfortunately, the one I like (Heltenham) has shortened from 16s into 9s and that is probably the right price for him. Jungle Boogie could step forward from his seasonal reappearance at Cheltenham, where he did travel well for a long way, but he’s a 12yo now and he has to carry plenty of weight. No bet.
2026 Ascot & Haydock Saturday Tip: No bet
2.35 Haydock – SkyBet Handicap Hurdle (Class 3)
Another race in which it is tough to make a case for either of the outsiders. Inis Oirr is capable on his day but his two wins have come at Musselburgh and he’s probably being aimed at the Edinburgh National back there next month, a race he won in 2024.
Stay Away Fay, the 2023 Albert Bartlett winner, is on a tempting mark but what isn’t tempting is his recent form. He has pulled up on five of his last seven starts and when he has completed, he has been beaten 44l and 62l. Unfortunately, this is another no bet race.
2026 Ascot & Haydock Saturday Tip: No Bet
2.53 Ascot – Holloway’s Handicap Hurdle (Class 2)
Samuel Spade was half-tempting off his last winning mark but this ground might just be on the soft side for him. The only other one I can make some sort of a case for at a big price is the David Pipe trained Thanksforthehelp.
This 9yo son of Martaline ran out an easy winner at Punchestown back in April off 116. He has failed to fire in both starts this season, finishing seventh at Newbury and then filling the same position at Windsor but I think improvement could be forthcoming now he is returning to a right-handed track.
This horse has run on right-handed tracks four times, returning form figures of 2231. He handles soft ground and he’ll be ridden by JP McManus’ new retained jockey Harry Cobden for the first time. Now, there is a chance that Punchestown may be this horse’s main aim again but the fact that connections have decided to give him a spin going right-handed (and are also trying a new headgear combo) suggests that he might be trying here and with odds of 18/1 available, it is worth taking the chance that he is.
2026 Ascot & Haydock Saturday Tip: Thanksforthehelp e/w @ 18/1
3.30 Ascot – Clarence House Chase (Grade 1)
God be with the days when Il Etait Temps was under the radar. We backed him at a big price when he won at the DRF in 2024 and since then, he has continued on an upward trajectory. He missed most of last season, his sole run coming in the Celebration Chase at Sandown where he laughed at Jonbon, beating him by over 5l.
This year, he is 2/2 and he increased the margin of victory to 9l over Jonbon in the Tingle Creek last time. Willie Mullins’ charge is short odds to repeat the trick and he is very difficult to oppose.
Old Father Time seems to be catching up with Jonbon, Gidleigh Park is probably just below Grade 1 level so the one to chase Il Etait Temps home could be the late blooming improver Thistle Ask. He has won his last five in a row and his mark has risen from 108 to 158. He’ll need to improve again to beat Jonbon but given their respective trajectories, that wouldn’t be the biggest surprise.
However, with just four runners and no each way terms available, this is another race we’ll just be watching.
