Ascot Saturday

1.40 BetMGM Warfield Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 1m 7f 157yd

Nurse Susan had Sunset Marquesa behind her at Sandown last time, but that was over an extra half-mile and Dan Skelton’s mare needed every yard to stamp her authority. It would therefore come as no surprise to see the latter reverse form on better terms here.

For all I like Sunset Marquesa, she is likely to find it difficult against the unexposed La Conquiere, who has won both her starts over hurdles having taken high rank in mares’ bumpers last season.

Trained by Jamie Snowden, La Conquiere won well from Dreamshadow at Uttoxeter with the runner-up successful on both subsequent starts, and the daughter of Le Havre was much improved when beating Charisma Cat by three and a half lengths at Newbury in a listed event last time. That success was backed up by the clock and while she takes a step up from novice company now, she looks capable of progressing past more exposed rivals.

2.20 Bet365 Handicap Chase 2m 5f 13yd

Vincenzo has crept up the weights for defeats in the Paddy Power and December Gold Cups at Cheltenham, but the bottom line is that this contest is not as deep as either of those, and he fully deserves his current mark and is expected to make amends for those defeats now.

He couldn’t quite get on terms with a well-ridden Glengouly last time, but proved that he stays this trip in going closest of the pursuers and has more resolution than form dangers Bad and Hitman, neither of whom tend to find much off the bridle. This trip also looks as far as Bad wants to go, and if Vincenzo is within a length at the last against that pair, I would fancy him to finish the job.

2.53 BetMGM Holloway’s Handicap Hurdle 2m 3f 63yd

Marche D’Aligre has been a little disappointing given the high regard in which he’s held but it’s clear that he hates a sound surface and he’s been back to his best in two starts on soft this season, following a second to Saligo Bay (winner next time) when runner-up at Sandown last time.

His jumping arguably cost him victory against Across Earth, and while the writing was on the wall when he landed awkwardly at the last, he had also lost significant momentum when getting the third all wrong and did well to get to the front in the straight before being outpaced by the well-handicapped winner.

Marche D’Aligre needs to jump better than he did at Sandown, but will benefit from the step up from two miles and is clearly well treated if he can find more fluency at his obstacles. He can afford to kick a couple out of the way and still make the frame here, but a win is a realistic expectation.

3.30 BetMGM Clarence House Chase (Grade 1) 2m 172yd

It’s hard to side against Il Etait Tempshere as his rivals look almost certain to set the race up for him by helping set a strong gallop, and I don’t see any of the trio benefiting from a complete change of tactics. So, with Jonbon, Gidleigh Park and Thistle Ask all showing their best form under attacking rides, the patiently-ridden Il Etait Temps need not be at his absolute best to win.

Even assuming Jonbon is on song, the fact that the selection has beaten him comfortably on both occasions they’ve met at Jonbon’s beloved Sandown suggests the result will be the same here, even with Harry Cobden taking over. In fact, I’d point out that Jonbon’s least impressive efforts (not that there have been any poor ones) have come when Nico de Boinville has been unable to ride.

It was here a year ago where Jonbon last showed the wow factor, and I’d expect him to maintain his remarkable record of finishing in the first two on all career outings, but victory may elude him again.

Haydock Saturday

1.25 Sky Bet Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 1m 7f 144yd

Hurricane Pat has beaten Old Park Staron the only occasion they’ve met (on bumper debut at Sandown), but the latter has improved out of all recognition for the switch to Nicky Henderson and the presentation of eight flights of hurdles, winning well at Kempton before a stunning victory at Cheltenham last month.

Perhaps Old Park Star didn’t have much to beat last time (runner-up Midnight Glance unplaced in the Grade 1 Formby at Aintree next time), but he made a deep impression with the manner of victory and should have plenty more to offer. Hurricane Run hasn’t had to run to that level to win both starts over hurdles, but could easily raise his game, a comment which also applies to the likeable Japetus, making this a race to savour.

2.00 Sky Bet Peter Marsh Handicap Chase 3m 1f 125yd

I think Royale Pagaille faces a very stiff task trying to give lumps of weight to well-handicapped pair Konfusion and Myretown, both of whom have Gold Cup aspirations, with the former preferred. Konfusion has progressed quickly through the ranks this season, landing the Rehearsal Chase and Rowland Meyrick on his last two starts.

He remains capable of better and the shape of this race suits him, with the presence of Royale Pagaille leaving him on an attractive weight of 11 stone.

Myretown is a big danger, but he was a little too keen when crashing out in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury on his return, and that could be the case again after a seven-week break. It’s also a worry that a horse who is normally a bold jumper has taken two bone-crunching falls when in front in a short chasing career, having taken an eerily similar fall at Windsor last season. He remains the most exciting of these in terms of the future, but Konfusion is the one with the best prep for this particular contest.

2.35 Sky Bet Acca Freeze Handicap Hurdle 3m 58yd

Heather Honey is another Sue Smith/Joel Parkinson handicapper who has done nothing but improve all year, starting off in handicaps with a defeat from a mark of 84 but now 30lb higher after four wins. She was better than ever when a length and a quarter third of nine to stablemate Romeo Brown at Doncaster last time.

She travelled best of all that day but was outpointed from the last hurdle and it will be interesting to see whether Peter Kavanagh sets her alight earlier or delays his challenge for as long as possible.

She was headed for second close home last time but never looked like stopping when sent for home early on her previous start and I think a more positive ride would suit this game, if one-paced mare.

Recommended

Vincenzo 2.20 Ascot – 2pts win at 2/1 (general)

Marche D’Aligre 2.53 Ascot – 1pt e/w at 10/1 (Bet365, Coral; 8/1 general)

Konfusion 2.00 Haydock – 2pts win at 5/2 (general)

Heather Honey 2.35 Haydock – 1pt e/w at 11/2 (general)