Saturday Racing Tips: Have a little tickle on Tommy Whittle runner at 11/1

It's my last Saturday column until Christmas. In fact, it's the last one until 2026. Let's make it a good one, then!

We've got an 11/4 Nap in the feature at Ascot, an each-way play at 11/1 in Haydock's big race and a couple more from Berkshire making up my Saturday racing tips.

13:50 Ascot - General Medrano @ 11/2

I'm more than happy to forgive GENERAL MEDRANO, who disappointed in the Jim Joel Memorial Trophy at Newbury a few weeks ago, at Ascot.

Emma Lavelle's eight-year-old never got into the race at Newbury. He was the back marker from flag fall, at least 10 lengths off the pace, and found it very difficult to bridge the gap. So did others in a similar position.

He's been dropped three pounds, which for me is a very generous piece of handicapping, and Sean Bowen takes over in the saddle. I'm a big fan of previous jockey Ben Jones, so that's no slight on him, but Sean Bowen is Sean Bowen. Unrivalled at this moment in time.

I'm unsure about the step up in trip to 2m3f - especially on soft ground. He's tried it a few times and the results have been mixed. If he copes with it, or even improves for it, now he's a little bit older, then he's got a favourite's chance as far as I'm concerned.

14:05 Haydock - Grand Albert each-way @ 11/1

The feature at Haydock on Saturday is the Betfred Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase. Over three miles to travel on deep ground - it's going to be pretty testing.

With that in mind, it's no surprise to see Jacks Parrot towards the head of the market. Last year's runner-up, who has plenty of form on soft/heavy, races off the same mark (119) and should be fit after a spin over hurdles at Bangor last month.

However, I'm not convinced he's up to winning a race like this. Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero haven't made the strongest start to the season, either.

I prefer the claims of GRAND ALBERT at an each-way price.

Donald McCain's seven-year-old son of Jet Away was a £120k purchase for the Owners Group syndicate back in April 2023 and he's shown plenty of ability throughout his career to date.

Over the smaller obstacles, he beat Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies' Guard The Moon, rated 133 today, and was only a length behind an all-out Haiti Couleurs, who needs no introduction.

He went novice chasing last season, beginning with a fine third to subsequent Cheltenham Festival hero Caldwell Potter before running out a 25-length winner in a Wetherby handicap off a mark of 120.

His jumping went to pot at Kelso next time out and he wasn't seen for another 288 days, at Bangor exactly three weeks ago. His jumping was scruffy again, but he finished a respectable fourth of eight, staying on nicely in the closing stages.

That ought to have brought him on a lot and if the application of cheekpieces can sharpen up his jumping, he looks very dangerous down a couple of pounds in the handicap.

14:25 Ascot - Impose Toi @ 11/4

Back at Ascot, legendary owner JP McManus pits his two Stayers' Hurdle hopes against each other in the Long Walk.

Honesty Policy is favourite at time of writing, but I'm not sure it'll be for long. He's a couple of years longer and has the sexier profile, but he's making the step up to open, Grade 1 company on seasonal reappearance.

On the other hand, the race-fit IMPOSE TOI has been there, done that and got the green and gold T-shirt.

Nicky Henderson's seven-year-old has always been smart, but his form has gone to new heights this season.

A ready success in a Pertemps Qualifier at Aintree off top weight earned him a crack at the G2 Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury three weeks ago, which I thought he won easier than the official margin suggests.

He was still on the bridle approaching the final flight, with runner-up Strong Leader already under the Sean Bowen drive, but a mistake on landing caused Nico de Boinville to get busier a bit earlier than he'd have liked. Come the line, he was clearly on top.

There could be even more to come from the Coral Cup runner-up, who's the one to beat for me.

15:35 Ascot - Wilful @ 9/2

Ascot's finale is a handicap hurdle over just shy of the minimum trip that's attracted a fantastic field headed by Greatwood winner Alexei.

I'm a big fan of Joe Tizzard's five-year-old, in part because he sports the same silks as one of my favourite racehorses of all time Native River, but he's got a 13-pound hike to contend with on his fourth run in just over two months.

He's also a mammoth 19lbs worse off with Jonjo & A J O'Neill's WILFUL, who's my selection.

The six-year-old son of Westerner was only a length-and-a-half behind Alexei in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Chepstow in October and while the latter has clearly improved in the meantime, quite significantly, that's a huge difference.

Wilful is open to improvement himself, especially given the well-documented issues the team at Jackdaws Castle were dealing with earlier in the season, and he'll handle conditions just fine.

It's a competitive race, but he's got as good a chance as any for me. The one I can't have - famous last words - is Mondo Man at the very top of the market. I massively question his attitude.

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