ITV Racing Tips: Another trophy for Sir Alex and company?

I seem to say this every Saturday - but what a line-up we have! The ITV cameras are at Haydock for five fabulous LIVE contests, which includes the Grade 1 Betfair Chase; we're at Ascot for three, including two Grade 2s; and finally, the fabled Morgiana Hurdle, from Punchestown.

The weather isn't terribly friendly at the moment, and the outlook might be challenging - but the racing itself is red-hot.

Here's the menu;

Haydock Park
13:15 THE BEST ODDS ON THE BETFAIR EXCHANGE HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 2) (GBB RACE) (CL 2) (2M 3F)
13:50 THE BETFAIR EXCHANGE GRADUATION STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 2) (GBB RACE) (CL 2)(2M 5 1/2F)
14:20 THE BETFAIR "SERIAL WINNERS" STAYERS' HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 1) (PREMIER HANDICAP) (GBB RACE) (CL 1)(3M 1/2 F)
15:00 THE BETFAIR STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 1) (Grade 1) (Registered as The Lancashire Steeple Chase) (GBB RACE) (CL 1) (3M 1 1/2F)
15:35 THE BETFAIR "FREE RACING MULTPLE TODAY" HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 2) (GBB RACE) (CL 2)(3M 1 1/2F)

Ascot
13:30 THE 1965 STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 1) (Grade 2) (GBB RACE) (CL 1) (2M 5F)
14:05 THE CORAL HURDLE RACE (CLASS 1) (Registered as The Ascot Hurdle Race) (Grade 2) (GBB RACE) (CL 1) (2M 3 1/2F)
15:15 THE JIM BARRY HURST PARK HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 2) (GBB RACE) (CL 2) (2M 1F)

Punchestown
14:35 UNIBET MORGIANA HURDLE (GRADE 1) (4yo+) (2M 20Y)

13:15 Haydock - Fingal's Hill each-way @ 6/1

The selection is ascending the ranks like a meteor and is chasing a five-timer no less. Seven years young and in the form of his life. Won going away in this grade last time and looks to add another to his impressive tally off just 4lbs higher. Seems to go on any ground and is a great credit to connections.

13:30 Ascot - Shishkin @ 4/6

Can't oppose Nicky Henderson's classy chaser - the race conditions favour him greatly, but in Pic D'Orhy he certainly has a worthy opponent. Coming from the in-form Nicholls stable adds more weight to the argument but Shishkin beat him 16l here in February, at the trip, on the same terms.

Both reappear after 220+ days away, and though not a betting heat as such for me I can't wait to see how both have fared over the summer.

13:50 Haydock - Apple Away @ 2/1

A fascinating chase, honoured by the presence of a WP Mullins inmate, Gaillard Du Mesnil. He's easily the classiest entrant but carries 11st 11lb accordingly. This trip will seem like a training run as his last two outings have been the National Hunt Chase at the Festival, and the Aintree Grand National (total distance just over 8 miles).

My selection Apple Away gets a valuable 18lb from Willie's 7-yr-old, and specialises at around this trip, and up to 3 miles. The ultra-progressive mare has a point win to her name over fences but makes her chasing debut under rules on Saturday.

That's always a risk, especially at a proper Grade One track like this, but hailing from the National-winning yard of Ms L Russell I somehow think she'll be nicely schooled ahead of the event. Mouth-watering.

14:05 Ascot - Blueking D'Oroux @ 9/2

A P Nicholls' conveyance with a lovely racing weight of 10st 13lb. Limbered up for this by winning at Cheltenham a month ago, and though he needs to step up again the horse favoured most by the race conditions, Goshen, is a bit of an enigma.

Nicky Henderson fields Theatre Glory, but I wouldn't trade the Ditcheat raider for either.

14:20 Haydock - Lord Snootie each-way @ 17/2

A very warm handicap hurdle, and we're paying FIVE places each-way, so that's the way I'm playing this one.

Lord Snootie is a 6-yr-old gelding in the care of Glamorgan trainer Christian Williams. His last two runs were audacious raids to Ireland, and on the last of them at Galway encountered Buddy One, subsequently a brilliant winner at Cheltenham's big meeting last weekend.

Nothing of Buddy's calibre here, and jockey Jack Tudor knows him well. I think the yard rate him highly.

14:35 Punchestown - State Man @ 3/10

Can't oppose - a fabulous prize claimed previously by the likes of Moscow Flyer, Faugheen and Hurricane Fly looks destined for County Carlow. Willie has two, Gordon (Elliott) has two. State Man has plenty in hand on official marks and is still only 6. Defeat would be a huge shock.

15:00 Haydock - Protektorat @ 9/4

The Betfair Chase - an early-season staging post and invariably a small-field thriller.

Bravemansgame was only just nutted in the Charlie Hall and comes here as the likely favourite. Protektorat took this impressively last year for the Skeltons, and was sparingly campaigned thereafter, having a wind op just last month.

He reappears after an absence of 253 days but I'm hoping that doesn't stop a potential aeroplane celebration by Harry Skelton as he makes all and disappears into the Haydock sunset (in theory!)

Sir Alex is among the owners' group and he's certainly in great nick of late when it comes to having winners.

15:15 Ascot - Boothill @ 9/4

A favourite of mine - jumps soundly, pops along, stays, quickens. Give me a wagonload, please. What a gent, and talented, too. The wicked old handicapper keeps having his say, and 12st must be shouldered today with a career-high mark of 155 to defy.

He's earned it though, and loves it around here. He's got what might be a slightly fanciful entry for the Tingle Creek, but what a smashing horse. Love him to bits.

15:35 Haydock - Credo @ 5/1

Anthony Honeyball's team are in good order - 5 winners in the last fortnight - and he's struck up a telling partnership with Sam Twiston-Davies. They combine here with Credo, who produced a career-best at Wincanton last time under this jockey, resulting in a 7lb hike for today.

That win was on soft ground, something the mare is almost certain to encounter here. This 8-yr-old should be at the height of her powers and I'm hoping the duo can go in again.

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