{"id":73528,"date":"2025-12-20T06:36:14","date_gmt":"2025-12-20T06:36:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sportscasting.com\/uk\/?p=73528"},"modified":"2025-12-20T07:30:17","modified_gmt":"2025-12-20T07:30:17","slug":"itv-racing-tips-ascot-haydock-saturday-20th-december-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sportscasting.com\/uk\/news\/itv-racing-tips-ascot-haydock-saturday-20th-december-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Andy Newton’s ITV Racing Tips: Ascot and Haydock Best Bets (Sat 20th Dec 25)"},"content":{"rendered":"

This Saturday’s ITV Racing tips come from Ascot and Haydock, with SIX races live on ITV Racing across the two venues and as always Andy Newton is on hand with his 1-2-3 best bets and key trends for each race.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Long Walk Hurdle Headlines Last Saturday Before Christmas Weekend\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Punters will be trying to bolster their Christmas betting funds on Saturday with SIX LIVE ITV Racing<\/a> contests from Ascot and Haydock.<\/p>\n

With this being the last weekend before the busy festive racing period.<\/p>\n

At Haydock, the Tommy Whittle Chase headlines at 2:05pm, which is a race that’s been won by a seven year-old horse for the last three runnings.<\/p>\n

Then at Ascot, there are four live ITV contests to look out for – spearheaded by the Grade One Long Walk Hurdle<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Where all eyes will be on the Fergal O’Brien-trained Crambo, who has won the last two renewals.<\/p>\n

He’ll be looking to join recent treble Long Walk Hurdle winners Reve De Sivola and Big Buck’s.<\/p>\n

The race is often described as a decent Cheltenham Festival Stayers’ Hurdle trial too, with the last horse to take both races in the same season was Paisley Park in 2018\/19.<\/p>\n

See below Andy Newton’s<\/a> ITV Racing horse racing tips as he gives his 1-2-3 best bets and also some key trends for each contest.<\/p>\n

Ascot Horse Racing Tips on Saturday 20th December: Crambo Eyes Third Straight Long Walk Hurdle\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Crambo
Crambo Has Won The Last Two Long Walk Hurdles<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

12:40 Ascot \u2013 Howden Graduation Chase (Gbb Race) Cl2 (4yo+) 2m5f Sky<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Not on ITV Racing anymore as it’s only attracted three runners – but still looks a fascinating little race.<\/p>\n

FIREFOX<\/strong> will be a big player for the in-form Gordon Elliott yard after a nice win at Down Royal last time.<\/p>\n

This will be the furthest he’s gone (2m5f), but with some questions over his two rivals Iroko and James Du Berlais – he still looks the safest option.<\/p>\n

Iroko, who fell in this race last year, returned last month with a fair second to King George VI Chase<\/a> fancy The Jukebox Man and will be popular on that run.<\/p>\n

But does head here with no wins from his last eight and might just have the Grand National as a longer target, where he was fourth last year.<\/p>\n

While, despite being the top-rated in the field (160), James Du Berlais has only won one of his last 16 races which isn’t appealing in my book.<\/p>\n

\ud83e\udd47FIREFOX<\/strong>
\n\ud83e\udd48IROKO\u00a0<\/b>
\n<\/b>\ud83e\udd49JAMES DU BERLAIS<\/b><\/p>\n

KEY STATS \ud83d\udcc8<\/strong><\/h4>\n
<\/p>\n
    \n
  • <\/i> 10\/11 \u2013 Aged 7 or younger<\/li>\n
  • <\/i> 10\/11 \u2013 Won between 1-2 times over fences<\/li>\n
  • <\/i> 9\/11 \u2013 Finished in the top 3 last time out<\/li>\n
  • <\/i> 8\/11 \u2013 Aged 6 or younger<\/li>\n
  • <\/i> 5\/11 \u2013 Winning favourites<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    <\/div>\n

    \n

    2:25 Ascot \u2013 Howden Long Walk Hurdle (Grade 1) (Gbb Race) Cl1 (4yo+) 3m\u00bdf ITV4<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Gordon Elliot’s Honest Policy is certainly the horse with more to come.<\/p>\n

    He’s still only five and has already shown up well by beating Regent’s Stroll, who won over fences in the week, in the Grade One Mersey Novices’ Hurdle back in April.<\/p>\n

    Then running Jasmin De Vaux close at Punchestown. We’ve had five year-old winners Sam Spinner, Punchestowns, My Way De Solzen and Baracouda win this too.<\/p>\n

    But it’s a race the Irish don’t have a good record in – albeit they often don’t send many over. Certainly a player, but this is another step up.<\/p>\n

    It’s also worth noting 21 of the last 23 winners had run in the last seven weeks – Honesty Policy is back from a 234-day break.<\/p>\n

    Crambo has won the last two runnings and despite being terribly out of form can’t be dismissed as he seems to come alive in this race.<\/p>\n

    He’ll be looking to join Reve De Sivola and the mighty Big Buck’s as three-time Long Walk Hurdle winners.<\/p>\n

    Strong Leader will be a big player too, but was a poor favourite in this last year and has had two tough races this season already.<\/p>\n

    He’s the top-rated though and clearly a talent in these staying hurdle races.<\/p>\n

    But is a horse that does seem to run a bit in-and-out and, for me, is better at Aintree – that would be the time to get back involved with him.<\/p>\n

    Potters Charm could have more to come in these races, but is rated 11lbs lower than Strong Leader and 8lbs off Impose Toi.<\/p>\n

    Don’t Oppose Impose\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n

    So that leaves the new kid on the block in this division IMPOSE TOI.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Nicky Henderson has seemingly done a masterstroke in stepping this seven year-old up in trip to 3m – winning his last two at Aintree and the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury.<\/p>\n

    Yes, he’s a bit of a tricky ride, travels well and seems to save a bit.<\/p>\n

    But he also showed great battling qualities last time to see off Strong Leader (watch below) and more of the same is the call here.<\/p>\n

    Impose Toi will be looking to become the first Long Distance winner to win the Long Walk since Unknowhatimeanharry in 2016.<\/p>\n

    Then, if he can take this, Hendo’s horse will be hoping to become the first LW, LD and Stayers’ Hurdle winner at the Cheltenham Festival since Thistlecrack in 2015\/16.<\/p>\n

    I’ll take Toi to further ‘Impose’ himself on the Staying Hurdle sphere, where he’s around 12\/1 for the big one in March.<\/p>\n

    \ud83e\udd47IMPOSE TOI
    \n\ud83e\udd48CRAMBO<\/b>
    \n<\/b>\ud83e\udd49HONESTY POLICY\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

    KEY STATS \ud83d\udcc8<\/strong><\/h4>\n
    <\/p>\n
      \n
    • <\/i> 21\/23 \u2013 Raced within the last 7 weeks<\/li>\n
    • <\/i> 20\/23 \u2013 Aged 6 or older<\/li>\n
    • <\/i> 18\/23 \u2013 Won at least 4 times over hurdles previously<\/li>\n
    • <\/i> 10\/23 \u2013 Favourites<\/li>\n
    • <\/i> Crambo won the race in 2023 and 2024<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      <\/div>\n