Saturday Racing Tips: Shishkin’s back for more at Ascot

Jump racing dominates across the UK and Ireland on Saturday from the six meetings taking place throughout the day. 

First off though is Lingfield on the Polytrack, before they go over jumps at Punchestown, Huntingdon, Haydock and Ascot, and then finish off on the Flat on the Tapeta at Wolverhampton.

Amongst our Saturday fancies is one of Nicky Henderson's stable stars at Ascot, who begins his campaign in a Grade 2 contest, having won a Grade 1 over this course-and-distance by 16 lengths in February.

13.30 Ascot - Shishkin @ 1/2 

Shishkin is wearing first-time cheekpieces in the Grade 2 2m5f Chase at Ascot which was one niggling concern when assessing his claims ahead of his latest seasonal reappearance.

However, Henderson's strike-rate of 18% with horses wearing that aid for the first time isn't too far off his overall strike-rate of 21%, and the best thing is probably to ignore it and concentrate on the many positives.

The selection is upwards of 10lb clear of this field on the book and a similar amount clear according to Racing Post Ratings. The nine-year-old is 2-2 on this course and 6-7 on good or good to soft ground including a ready 16-length success from the reopposing Pic D'Orhy in the Grade 1 Ascot Chase over this course-and-distance in February.

Pic D'Orhy is a good horse, and he will likely pick up the pieces if the favourite isn't quite at his best, but he should finish second again, with Minella Drama and Straw Fan Jack booked for third and fourth barring mishaps.

13.50 Haydock - Gaillard Du Mesnil @ 13/8

Five runners go to post for the Grade 2 2m5f Graduation Chase at Haydock and Willie Mullins has sent over Gaillard Du Mesnil, who is returning to Merseyside having finished third off 155 in the Grand National at Aintree in the spring on his latest start.

That level of form towers over most of his four rivals and a reproduction of the 160 Racing Post Rating he achieved on that occasion would likely suffice.

The likeable mare Apple Away is a potential stumbling block in receipt of 18lb from the selection, but in contrast, she is making her debut over regulation fences and would need to make a particularly smooth transition to beat a horse with the selection's know-how on her first start over the bigger obstacles.

15.00 Haydock - Bravemansgame @ 8/11 

Lastly, only four runners go to post in the feature race on the day, the Grade 1 extended 3m1f Betfair Chase from Haydock.

Corach Rambler won the Grand National in the spring, but even a return to that level of form would struggle to beat the principals after his lacklustre Kelso reappearance and the drying forecast is against Royale Pagaille, who has a bit to find in any case.

Last year's winner Protektorat and Bravemansgame are quickly shortlisted, and the more it dries the more the selection's superior speed should come to the fore. He had Protektorat and Royale Pagaille well behind when a game second in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and can confirm that form.

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