Horse Racing Tips: A big day for JP McManus awaits

Jumps racing holds sway across Britain and Ireland on Saturday, with six meetings taking place across the afternoon and into the evening. First off is Haydock before they go at Hereford, Thurles, Ascot, Newcastle and Wolverhampton.

Amongst our Saturday fancies is one for trainer Gordon Elliott who was purchased by JP McManus recently off the back of landing four in a row and he looks ready for the step up to the top level.

Horse Racing Odds

Today's Horse Races

13.30 Haydock - Royal Mer @ 6/1

He is yet to find his stride this season, but that should ensure ROYAL MER is a tasty price and David Pipe's gelding can strike in the 2m handicap chase under Jack Tudor.

The son of Montmartre won five handicaps over fences last season, so he certainly knows where the winning post is, scoring on his return last term from a mark of 93 and is now rated 120.

He hit a peak rating of 123 after his last success at Wincanton back in April and, although beaten out of sight in two starts thus far this season, he will relish the mud here and is only 4lb above his last winning mark so he's right in the mix.

The Pipe yard is also in decent nick which is a help, so everything looks good for a big effort.

13.50 Ascot - Iroko @ 6/5

Moving on to a pair of McManus-owned runners next and it's certainly a massive day for the Limerick-based owner.

Three of the four runners in the 2m5f Graduation Chase are Irish-trained, but it's the Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero-trained IROKO who can strike.

This boy progressed at a rate of knots over hurdles in the 2022-23 season, culminating with victory in the Martin Pipe hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, before going on to finish third in a Grade 1 at Aintree.

Iroko won on his chasing debut on his return last season, but then he got injured and it was a minor miracle to get him back in time to take his chance in the Turners Novices' Chase, where he finished fifth behind Grey Dawning.

Second in a Grade 1 at Aintree after that, he got going a little too late when runner-up to Trelawne on his return, but he will strip fitter now and rates as the horse they all have to beat.

14.25 Ascot - The Wallpark @ 4/1

THE WALLPARK was purchased by McManus recently off the back of landing four on the bounce and Elliott's charge can find the necessary improvement to win at the top table in the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle.

He can be rather lazy in the early part of his races and that's proven by his in-running prices.

He hit 150 on the exchanges when winning at Killarney in July and hit 1000 when winning at Galway, but he is a proper stayer who finishes his races off really well.

There's plenty left in the locker yet and he's still a young horse.

Horse Racing Tips from Betfred Insights.