We are just one week away from the return of the jumps at Cheltenham, but before then, we have a top-class card at Ascot for Champions Day and a decent-looking jumps card at Limerick, which hosts two Listed Hurdles.
So, let’s not waste any more time.
Here are my best bets for Saturday’s horse racing, along with the best online bookmakers to place you next winning bet.
Best Saturday horse racing betting tips
Ascot 1:20 Al Nayyir each way
Limerick 2:45 Jetara
Limerick 3:50 – Luimneach
Ascot 1:20 – Group 2 Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup (1m7½f)
A cracking renewal of the British Champions Long Distance Cup will get us underway, with staying star Kyprios looking to right the wrongs of last season’s defeat to Trawlerman.
But from what I saw from AL NAYYIR at Newmarket last time, there is every chance he can play a massive part in the finish here.
At least two front runners will line up here, and with Al Nayyir’s hold-up style, this race may well fall into his lap.
He had a near miss on debut for his new trainer, Tom Clover, when he just failed to reel in Vauban in the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup, but what he did at Newmarket caught many people’s attention.
Held up off the pace up to the 3f pole, Al Nayyir effortlessly made his way through the field, took it up at the 1-furlong pole, and won with his head in his chest. He won that like a Group winner waiting to happen.
Granted that this is a different ball game, but there was enough to suggest that if Kyprios is feeling a long season, then there is every chance that Al Nayyir can pick up the pieces.
At 6/1, he is a cracking each way play here.
Bet on Al Nayyir each way with Paddy Power
Limerick 2:45 – Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Cailin Alainn Mares Hurdle (2m7f)
This looks like an ideal race for JETARA to get her season off to a winning start.
She has to concede up to one stone in weight to her rivals here, but given that she has been operating at a much higher level than this last season, she may well be able to deal with the weight concession on her first start back.
A Listed and Grade 3 winner last season, along with a Grade 1 placing behind Jade De Grugy and Ballyburn, she should be hard to beat if she can run to anywhere near that level.
Riviere d’Etel placed second in last season running but may have to settle for a bridesmaid role once again today.
Limerick 3:50 – Limerick Show Handicap Hurdle (2m½f)
This handicap hurdle isn’t as competitive as the number of runners make it out to be.
There is a lot of dead wood lurking, and the one I want to concentrate on is LUIMNEACH.
He returned from a 470-day layoff in July with a 12-length 5th over 1 furlong further. He showed the benefit of the run when narrowly missing out on victory over 2m4f when headed just before the last to lose out by a ½ length (7 lengths back to 3rd).
He drops to 2m½f today and has been raised 3lb in the weights, but that shouldn’t be a worry. He has already shown he can win over shorter distances than this trip.
Luimneach can prove a tough nut to crack here in what looks like a winnable race.
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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