It is the last weekend before the Christmas extravaganza and the ideal opportunity to bump up the Christmas betting account.
Ascot is where all eyes will be focused, with the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle being the highlight this weekend.
Here, you will get my best bets for this Saturday’s racing and the best online horse racing bookmakers to make your next horse racing bet a winning one.
Best bets for Saturday’s horse racing
- Ascot 1:50 – Fil Dor 4/1
- Ascot 2:25 – Strong Leader 9/4
- Ascot 3:00 – The Changing Man 5/1
- Ascot 3:35 – Dysart Enos 4/1
Ascot 1:50 – Howden Graduation Chase (2m5f)
This should be a cracking contest. With three of the four entries being Irish, there is every chance that the winner will come from the Emerald Isle, and I want to side with FIL DOR.
He showed some top graded form last season when in behind Dinoblue and El Fabiolo.
His form tailed off in the latter stages of last season, but he looks to be coming back into form after an eye-catching run at Clonmel and a canter around Thurles last time out.
If he can run to the level he did at the start of last season, he can prove hard to beat.
Current Betting: Iroko 7/4, Fil Dor 4/1, James Du Berlais 4/1, Jungle Boogie 5/1.
🏇 Bet on Fil Dor with Paddy Power 🏇
Ascot 2:25 – Grade 1 Howden Long Walk Hurdle (3m½f)
STRONG LEADER is one of my horses to follow for this season, and he will add another win today.
The Stayers Hurdle division in the UK is at its weakest point ever, and Strong Leader stands out as the one to take this division and run with it.
The Wallpark adds more to the race, but Strong Leader should have too much for all his rivals here on what is only his fourth start over this trip.
He will be very hard to beat, and there will be even more to come from this Olly Murphy inmate.
Current Betting: Stong Leader 9/4, The Wallpark 7/2, Crambo 15/2, Hiddenvally Lake 9/1, Shoot First 9/1, 10/1 bar.
🏇 Bet on Stong Leader with bet365 🏇
Ascot 3:00 – Howden Silver Cup Handicap Chase (3m)
Victtorino is two from three over course and distance and is the one they all have to beat, but he comes in here on the back of a race that may have left its make.
Given the huge effort it took for him to grab third place after a round of jumping that was marred with mistakes, he may be worth taking on today.
If that race has left its mark, then THE CHANGING MAN may be able to make up for his defeat last time in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle, where a slow jump at the last cost him.
He pulled 16 lengths clear of the third with the winner and is due a change of luck soon.
A five-pound rise in the weights is not ideal, but this strong stayer will be bang there at the business end.
Current Betting: Victtorino 9/4, The Changing Man 5/1, Trelawne 5/1, Heloy Delabarriere 10/1, Threeunderthrufive 12/1, 14/1 bar.
🏇 Bet on The Changing Man with Midnite 🏇
Ascot 3:35 – Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle (1m7½f)
The second and third from the Greatwood Hurdle at the Cheltenham November meeting square off once again, and today, DYSART ENOS can gain her revenge.
She was heavily punted for the Greatwood Hurdle as if defeat was out of the question, but a combination of over-racing and the stiff finish at Cheltenham was her undoing.
The dropback in the trip on a less demanding track shows her repaying her backers from Cheltenham.
She has the talent and form to be better than this mark, and she can capitalise on it here.
Current Betting: Be Aware 4/1, Dysart Enos 4/1, Secret Squirrel 6/1, Kabral Du Mathan 13/2, Favour And Fortune 14/1, Steel Ally 14/1, 16/1 bar.
🏇 Bet on Dysart Enos with Sky Bet 🏇
About the author
Andrew Halligan
My name is Andrew Halligan, horse racing pundit and founder of YouTube’s The Finishing Line Podcast. Horse racing is a thrilling spectacle that captivates audiences around the world with its blend of drama and excitement. Whether you’re a jumps or flat fan, I will use my experience of working within the horse racing industry to bring the best of what this sport has to offer.
You can follow Andrew on X (@Halligan88).
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