2026 Ascot & Haydock Saturday Tips – DS
2026 Ascot & Haydock Saturday Preview
We avoided the dreaded blank last weekend thanks to Alentejo. There’s another busy day of racing action ahead of us on Saturday with some top handicaps and the Grade 1 Ascot Chase. Hopefully, we can nick a winner, Dave Stevos 2026 Ascot & Haydock Saturday tips are below.
1.35 Wincanton – Kingwell Hurdle (Grade 2)
The defection of the Champion Hurdler Golden Ace has left us with just four runners for this Grade 2. Alexei is odds on to get back to winning ways after a 4l defeat off 147 in an Ascot handicap hurdle last time. It was a fine effort for a 5yo carrying 12 stone and if he repeats that he should win. Rubaud looks the most likely danger but he will probably have to settle for second. No bet.
2026 Ascot & Haydock Saturday Tip: No Bet
1.50 Ascot – Reynoldstown Chase (Grade 2)
Anthony Honeyball has had the runner up in this contest for the past two seasons and while he comes with risks attached after bursting at Kempton last time out, I think Crest Of Fortune is capable of running a big race for him here.
The bookies have dismissed the son of Doyen after that heavy Grade 1 defeat last time when he trailed in miles behind the runner up, Thomas Mor. However, I think things may pan out differently on this softer ground.
Thomas Mor is 0-5 on soft or worse under Rules and in point to points so this ground has to be a worry for him. The Jukebox Kid, a handicap winner over C&D on soft off 130 last time out, won’t mind conditions but it remains to be seen if he can cut it at this level. The same sentiment applies to Western Knight who also has to prove his stamina for this trip.
Crest Of Fortune shaped well enough when staying on for a 9.5l fourth behind Wendigo over an inadequate 2m4f at Newbury on his penultimate start and if he puts his best hoof forward, he can run a big race here. With odds of 10/1 on offer, a small win bet is advised.
2026 Ascot & Haydock Saturday Tip: Crest Of Fortune win @ 10/1
2.05 Haydock – Rendlesham Hurdle (Grade 2)
Another small field with six runners and it revolves around the highly promising Kabral Du Mathan. He has won both starts this term in very taking fashion, a 2m3f handicap off 140 at this track (gd-sft) and a 20.5f (good) Grade 2 at Cheltenham. The son of Pastorious now steps up to 3m for the first time and given his exuberant running style, he is no banker to see out the trip in my opinion.
That being said, if he does stay he should win but if Beauport is at his best he will make this a proper stamina test so we will learn plenty about Kabral Du Mathan no matter what the result.
I would have taken a chance on Beauport e/w here but the fact he has undergone a wind operation after pulling up at Ascot last time out has put me off. No bet.
2026 Ascot & Haydock Saturday Tip: No Bet
2.25 Ascot – Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle (Class 2)
Dan Skelton is always respected in these valuable handicaps and while the last time out Windsor winner Listentoyourheart is the shortest of his two runners here, on this soft ground it might be worth taking a chance on Kateira at bigger odds.
This classy mare has been below her best since beating an undercooked Golden Ace on her seasonal reappearance but I am hoping the return to softer ground might spark a revival. She has had four runs on soft ground during her career and three of those runs resulted in victory, including a grade 3 handicap win over this trip at Aintree off 136 when she lowered the colours of Jango Baie.
She is 7lb higher here admittedly but she hasn’t run on properly soft ground since that win in April 2024 and while she does handle better ground, she is definitely more likely to handle these conditions than her stablemate. Now, Dan Skelton has said in the past that she doesn’t want it too testing but I’d imagine she’ll be taken out of this if the ground does turn bottomless and we’ll get our money back if she is.
At odds of 25/1, Kateira is the e/w selection.
2026 Ascot & Haydock Saturday Tip: Kateira e/w @ 25/1 (4 places)
2.40 Haydock – Prestige Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)
A tricky race. The ground is an unknown for Reckless Spending who has been installed as the favourite after winning a 2m5f Kempton novice in dominant style 12 days ago. Dalston Lad is next best in the betting after a narrow handicap win off 121 over this C&D last month but that was on good to soft, as was his previous Sedgefield novice win.
Ubatuba will have no issues on the ground and if I were backing one of the market leaders, I’d side with him. However, these conditions will also be right up Tashkan’s street and this should be a much more suitable test than the 2m grade 2 he contested on good to soft ground here last time.
A winner of his hurdling debut at Hexham on heavy, this son of Born To Sea was a very classy stayer on the level, achieving a peak rating of 116. All three of his flat wins came on soft and heavy ground and this will be his first try at 3m on testing ground over timber. Maybe he’ll come up short but it would be a surprise if he doesn’t turn out to be better than a 119 rated hurdler and at odds of 28/1, he is worth taking a chance on e/w.
2026 Ascot & Haydock Saturday Tip: Tashkan e/w @ 28/1
3.00 Ascot – Swinley Handicap Chase (Premier)
First of all, a mention for the absolute legend that is Sam Brown. 14 years young, still rated 154 and still contesting £100k premier handicaps, he is a credit to connections. I can’t bring myself to tip him in a race of this nature but I do think his stablemate Credo, no spring chicken herself at 11yo, might go well at a decent price.
This daughter of Fame And Glory is a dour stayer and 3m is probably her absolute minimum. At this distance, she needs a strong pace to aim at and Jipcot, who made all to win over a bit shorter last time, will hopefully provide it.
This mare has won on all sorts of ground so conditions are no problem and she is running off her last winning mark of 130. At odds of 16/1, Credo is the e/w selection.
2026 Ascot & Haydock Saturday Tip: Credo e/w @ 16/1 (4 places)
3.15 Haydock – Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (Premier)
We backed Monbeg Genius for the Welsh National and he ran a decent race to finish fifth. The ground may have been a touch lively for him that day and I am going to give him another chance in these more testing conditions.
This horse last won in February last year at Uttoxeter (3m, soft), beating Richmond Lake by 5l off 142 and he runs off the same mark today. On his only previous visit to Haydock, in November 2024, he stayed on well over 25.5f for a 12l second, shaping like this longer trip would suit.
Jonjo O’Neill’s charge is just about big enough for the blog at 12/1 and he is the each way selection.
2026 Ascot & Haydock Saturday Tip: Monbeg Genius e/w @ 12/1 (4 places) NAP
3.35 Ascot – Ascot Chase (Grade 1)
Barring mishaps, the day’s feature essentially looks like a match between Jonbon, the 8/15 favourite, and Pic D’orhy who can be backed at 2/1. The old boy Edwardstone scored over 20.5f last time on good ground at Kempton but whether he’ll stay this far on much softer ground remains to be seen. The others in here look to be punching above their weights so this is a race I’ll just watch. No bet.
