Andy Newton’s ITV Racing Tips On Saturday: Ascot and Haydock Best Bets

Another top weekend of action ahead – albeit it’s looking like a wet one – so don’t miss Andy Newton’s ITV Racing tips on Saturday from Ascot and Haydock. 

With last weekend Andy pointing followers in the direction of top winner – The Doyen Chief (5/4) and Iberico Lord (22/1).

You can also catch Andy each week on the popular FINAL FURLONG PODCAST with host Emmet Kennedy and guests.

Andy Newton’s ITV Racing Tips Ascot and Haydock: Saturday 17th January 2026 

The ITV Racing schedule on Saturday comes from Ascot and Haydock, with SEVEN races being shown on the ‘free-to-air’ channel.

At Haydock, the Peter Marsh Chase at 2pm is their feature – where all eyes will be on course lover and two-time winner of the race Royale Pagaille.

Then at Ascot, we’ve four more ITV Racing contests that climax with the Grade One Clarence House Chase (3:30pm).

Which is a race that’s often a good guide ahead of the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

So, to take you through the action you can see Andy Newton’s ITV Racing tips below – as he gives you his 1-2-3 best bets and key trends.

Plus each day you can also see Andy’s daily horse racing tips and cheat sheet – including his NAP, NB, Lay Of The Day and hot trainers list.

Let’s get going.

Ascot ITV Racing Tips: Saturday 17th January, 2026 🏇

1:40 Ascot – BetMGM Warfield Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race) Cl1 (4yo+) 1m7½f ITV

This race has cut up a bit with only five runners and many will suggest it’s hard to get away from Nurse Susan.

However, the drop back in trip is a small worry after looking to need every inch of the 2m4f last time at Sandown.

But that last win also came on good ground and with a lot of rain around Ascot this week, the softer conditions will hopefully make this more of a stamina test.

The Skeltons have also won the last two runnings and the favourites five of the last seven – but the shorter trip is still the concern.

Of the rest, Jamie Snowden’s LA CONQUIERE  is a likeable and improving mare – having won her last two starts.

Yes, she is still rated 12lbs below Nurse Susan and only gets 2lbs, meaning she’s got 10lbs of improvement to find – might I think she just might.

She was second in the Aintree Mares NH Flat last April – a race that has produced a bundle of winners this season.

Her jumping might need to be a bit better than last time.

But for me, is the one with the most improvement in the race and gets the nod.

And is around 12/1 for the Mares’ Novices Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Jamie Snowden told us at FromtheStables this morning

“La Conquiere arrived from Ireland after an excellent debut run in a bumper and she was thrown in at the deep end. She finished 2nd in the Grade 2 Aintree bumper, showing a seriously smart turn of foot. A good jumper, she won well on her hurdling debut and the 2nd horse has bolted up since. She then won very easily in a Listed contest at Newbury on her last start. Now out of novice company into an open Grade 2, she must improve a lot to beat some hardened, experienced rivals, and on the ratings she would need to. She has so much potential, though, that hopefully she can step up to the mark here.”

Of the rest, Joyeuse has rather lost her way since winning the William Hill Hurdle last season.

So, the consistent Sunset Marquesa is next best, having run fourth to Nurse Susan last time at Sandown and is 4lbs better off for around four lengths.

But I think can reverse that form over this shorter trip – having had Susan’s measure around this distance the last day.

🥇LA CONQUIERE
🥈SUNSET MARQUESA
🥉NURSE SUSAN

KEY STATS 📈

2:20 Ascot – bet365 Handicap Chase (GBB Race) Cl2 (5yo+) 2m5f ITV

The Sam Thomas camp continue to be in good order and so their consistent Vincenzo is sure to be popular here.

He’s picked up two silvers in the Paddy Power and December Gold Cups this season – but is up another pound here.

The 8yo is yet to finish out of the first two though (two wins) from six starts over fences and another big run looks on the cards.

Etalon (1st), Scarface (2nd) and Bad (4th) all ran against each other last time here and with the second 4lbs and fourth 5lbs better off can be expected to get closer.

But this is a step up in trip for them all – from 2m3f to 2m5f.

Paul Nicholls has won three of the last nine and runs his Old Roan Chase winner Hitman.

But despite this win is still only 1-16 in recent runs and was well back (20 lengths) in the Peterborough Chase last time.

Is There Value Further Down The Market?

So, a chance is taken on two bigger-priced runners – NEON MOON and HELTENHAM.

The former does seem to like it here at Ascot, with form figures that read 2-5-3-5-1 and is only 3lbs higher than when winning over this trip here in November.

He’ll also have the new JP McManus jockey Harry Cobden back in the saddle, as he rode him to his last win here too.

Then Heltenham is another Dan Skelton runner in the race (Etalon his other) and looks over-priced too.

Yes, he fell the last day at Aintree when probably booked for third.

But that was still a fair run and has been dropped 2lbs and is also now on his last winning mark.

Connections are also putting on Harry Atkins to take off 7lbs – so really he’s 9lbs better than last time.

That was also only his second run after a wind op so could have more to come and despite some small concerns over the trip has won on soft over 2m4f in the past.

🥇HELTENHAM
🥈NEON MOON 
🥉VINCENZO 

KEY STATS 📈

2:53 Ascot – BetMGM Holloway’s Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) Cl2 (4yo+) 2m3½f ITV

With 14 of the last 16 winners aged seven or younger, I’m ruling out the older horses – former County Hurdle winner Faivoir (11), Moveit Like Minnie (10), Thanksforthehelp (9) and Metier (10).

Surrey Lord benefited from a late faller to win well at Kempton last time and has now won three of his last four.

He’s up another 6lbs here though and onto a new career-high rating.

Came From Nowhere also won last time, with this success coming at Hereford.

Is up 7lbs for that and that was his first win from five hurdles starts so could have more in the locker.

The Snowden runner Marche d’Aligre has shown ability but has also been a beaten favourite in three of his last four starts and is up in trip here.

So that leaves me with the potential class angle in the race – TRIPOLI FLYER. 

This 140-rated hurdler didn’t really take to fences (0-2) and returned over hurdles last time in the Christmas Hurdle – when 5th to Sir Gino (18 1/2 lengths).

Into calmer waters here and having his first run in a handicap.

Yes, has 12st to carry, but he’s got that for being the best horse in the race.

The trip is a small worry as connections clearly feel he’s worth another crack over it and that’s a good sign.

And, finally, the icing on the cake is that Fern O’Brien has been booked to ride and take off a handy 5lbs from the plate.

🥇TRIPOLI FLYER
🥈SURREY LORD
🥉CAME FROM NOWHERE

KEY STATS 📈

3:30 Ascot – BetMGM Clarence House Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) Cl1 (5yo+) 2m1f ITV

Onto the big one at Ascot and a shame we’ve just got the four runners but it’s still a fascinating little race.

Jonbon took the honours last season and will be looking to become the first ‘back-to-back’ winner since Un De Sceaux landed three on the spin between 2016 and 2018.

But he’s now aged 10 and with 20 of the last 22 Clarence House Chase winners aged 9 or younger this would be a worry for his backers.

That said, he’s still remarkably yet to finish out of the top two from his 19 starts over fences and can’t be ruled out with Harry Cobden riding for JP McManus – his new boss come May.

Jonbon is also the only CD winner in the field.

Mullins Can Land Fourth Clarence House Chase 

However, Jonbon has also seen the back of one of the rising stars in this sphere IL ETAIT TEMPS, including a nine-length thumping in the Tingle Creek last time out.

This Mullins runner has certainly made into a better chaser – winning seven of his nine starts over fences now – and ALL of his last five.

He’s around 7/2 for the Champion Chase, behind last year’s winner Marine Nationale (3/1) – as he looks to dispel his hoodoo at the Cheltenham Festival, where he’s 0-3.

Il Etait Temps translates roughly to ‘It’s About Time’ – and it is about time we saw another Mullins winner in the Clarence House.

With the already mentioned Un De Sceaux his last.

Of the rest, Gidleigh Park ran King George fourth Jango Baie to second here last time over 2m5f – but is rated 16lbs off the top-rated Il Etait Temps.

While the new kid on the block in this division Thistle Ask could make a claim. He’s five-from-six over fences and likes to get on with things from the front.

But this might just set things up for the Mullins favourite and is also still rated 14lbs adrift.

On a plus, he was impressive in the Desert Orchid last time out.

And the winner of that race has thrown up horses like Editeur Du Gite, Shiskhin, Altor and Sire Du Grugy – who have landed both in the same season.

This should be business as usual for Il Etait Temps and another defeat for Jonbon.

🥇IL ETAIT TEMPS
🥈JONBON
🥉THISTLE ASK 

KEY STATS 📈

Haydock ITV Racing Tips: Saturday 17th January, 2026 🏇

1:25 Haydock – Sky Bet Supreme Trial Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race) Cl1 (4yo+) 1m7½f ITV

Hurricane Pat has impressed me with the way he’s been winning at Sandown this season – including last time when seeing off another runner here Solider Reeves by 5 1/2 lengths.

The runner-up is 5lbs better off now and should get closer, but I’d take the Moore horse to still uphold that form.

Ascot should suit too (first run here) and it’s hard to crab his chance.

But Hurricane Pat is still rated 6lbs lower than OLD PARK STAR and also has to give this Nicky Henderson runner 2lbs.

This 6yo bolted up at Cheltenham last time by 12 lengths too as is as low as 7/1 for the Supreme at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

The last horse to win this trial and take the Festival curtain raiser as Cinders and Ashes in 2012, but Jonbon also won this in 2022 and was runner up in the Supreme.

So, I’ll take Old Park Star to take this and also give Henderson his seventh success in this race.

Especially as Nico de Boinville heads here to ride, rather than steer Jonbon in the Clarence House.

🥇OLD PARK STAR
🥈HURRICANE PAT 
🥉SOLDIER REEVES 

KEY STATS 📈

2:00 Haydock – Sky Bet Peter Marsh Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) Cl1 (5yo+) 3m1½f ITV

It would be great to see one last Haydock win from Royale Pagaille, who has also won this race twice in the past (2021 and 2022) – watch below.

The popular Venetia Williams horse has won five times here at Haydock – so loves the place and is back having run well (2nd) to Grey Dawning in the Betfair Chase here in November.

He’s also rated 4lbs lower than his 2022 win and this race has seen 12yo winners in Our Vic (2010) and Jodami (1997), so you certainly can’t rule him out at his favourite course.

Johnnywho is clearly talented but is also frustrating and just doesn’t win enough for me (1 in 12).

While Richmond Lake could be the value after running third in 2025 and is now rated 8lbs lower.

But there are only two places with seven runners for the each-way.

The Market Could Have This Race Right

So the top two at the head of the market look the main players here – Myretown and Konfusion.

The former bolted up in the Ultima Chase at the Festival last season – however, is now 15lbs higher and also fell last time in the Hennessy.

He’ll be looking to give Lucinda Russell her first win in the race.

But Myretown has now tumbled in 50% of his last four starts and even though he could still be very well-handicapped is just overlooked.

Plus I’d question the form of the Russell/Scudamore yard at the moment. They are just 1-from-22 at the time of writing.

Therefore, recent Rowland Meyrick winner KONFUSION gets the verdict.

This Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith runner has been a big improver in these staying handicap chases this season – and comes here winning his last two.

He’s shot up 30lbs this season as a result, but I don’t think the improvement has ended just yet.

The last win saw him bolt home by seven lengths and should probably be coming here on a five-timer had he not unseated here at Haydock in November.

The Sue Smith yard also like this race with five past wins. Oh, and six of the last 20 winners also took in the Rowland Meyrick Chase last time out.

I just hope he doesn’t go off as the jolly – as we’ve only seen three winning favourites in the last 20 (ha)!

Konfusion is the call to keep things ‘simple’ and carry on his progression.

🥇KONFUSION
🥈ROYALE PAGAILLE 
🥉MYRETOWN 

KEY STATS 📈

2:35 Haydock – Sky Bet Acca Freeze Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Stayers Hurdle Series Qualifier) Cl3 (4yo+ 0-140) 3m½f ITV

90% of the last 10 winners DIDN’T win last time out.

So, this would be against Kelso winner Both Barrels and Dalston Lad, who scored at Sedgefield last time.

That said, the last-named was also 15th in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival last season and caught that eye in his recent win.

Heather Honey is interesting too off a low weight (10-6) and the Sue Smith yard have a good record in this. They’ve won two of the last four runnings.

But the two of note are SOLAR SYSTEM and KYNTARA.

The first actually won on this card last season (3:10pm) so we know the track is okay.

Yes, he’s not been out for 301-days but this JP McManus-owned horse has gone well fresh in the past.

He’s also 5lbs higher than his last win (at this meeting last season). But connections have booked Callum Pritchard to take off 3lbs of that.

Oh, and six of the last ten winners of this race were ridden by a claimer.

Then Kyntara is also of interest, having run fourth to the improved Impose Toi at Aintree two runs back and then was a fair fifth at Cheltenham in better race last time.

While any more rain is also fine, having won on heavy ground back in 2023.

🥇SOLAR SYSTEM
🥈KYNTARA
🥉DALSTON LAD 

KEY STATS 📈