Ascot & Haydock Horse Racing Preview Saturday 21 November

It seems we have a weekend of exciting horse racing action with big Cheltenham Festival implications almost every weekend and this one is no different.

Feature meetings at both Ascot and Haydock will give us clues for the festival, perhaps none more so than in the Gold Cup market, thanks to the Betfair Chase at Haydock.

Here is a run down the feature races on Saturday at both meetings.

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Betfair Chase – 3:00pm Haydock

The Betfair Chase goes down as being the first true Cheltenham Gold Cup trial, though only one of the five runners is likely to go to the race well fancied, and that is Lostintranslation. He won this last year, Clan Des Obeaux has won two King George’s and Bristol De Mai won this race in 2017 & 2018, so it is still a classy renewal despite that.

With bad weather forecast, and with his two main rivals having other bigger targets to look forward to, Bristol De Mai is fancied to make it three from four at his beloved Haydock.

He will be spot on for this, this is his Cheltenham Gold Cup, and on soft ground he will take all the beating.

1965 Chase – 2:05pm Ascot

The rapidly improving Imperial Aura came back in good style of Carlisle to set up for another strong season. He jumps up in class here, but has the ability to handle that, and can take the 1965 Chase.

He was a very comfortable winner at the Cheltenham Festival last year, and even though that was only a handicap, he showed he is not going to be in those races anymore. Eventually he could turn into a horse for the Ryanair Chase, but for now, the 1965 Chase looks well within his reach.

Real Steel appears to be his main danger, after running well in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last year. However, he has a step back in trip, a trainer change and the fact this is his first run of the season to contend with. All three of those mean it is unlikely he will be at his very best, and for that reason, Imperial Aura can take the race.

Coral Hurdle – 2:40pm Ascot

Mare Laurina never looked comfortable chasing last season and returns to hurdles this afternoon where she should be a lot more effective. That step away from the hurdling game and being a mare give her a sizeable weight advantage over her two opponents, Call Me Lord and Song For Someone.

Paul Nicholls now trains and this is the start of a road back for her, so she is expected to come on for this run. However, it is also her first run after a wind op, so it would be no surprise to see her go well.

She rounds off the tips for Saturday, let’s hope we see some of the old spark.

Saturday Horse Racing Tips

• 3:00 Haydock – Bristol De Mai – 2/1
• 2:05 Ascot – Imperial Aura – 7/4
• 2:40 Ascot – Laurina – 5/4
• All prices available with Betiton

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