A superb Saturday of racing is in store this weekend as Ascot host Grade 1 action in the Clarence House Chase, which sees a clash between recent foes Il Etait Temps and Jonbon.
The undercard at Ascot looks terrific too, as does the meeting at Haydock, featuring the Peter Marsh Chase. Matty Sutcliffe has got stuck into both cards and has come out with three ebst bets across the two tracks for you to follow on Saturday.
Haydock Racing Tips (Saturday 17 January 2026)
The Peter Marsh Handicap Chase is an historic contest taking place at Haydock on Saturday, and one of Matty’s two selections in the north west runs in that race.
2:00 Haydock – Sky Bet Peter Marsh Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) – Royale Pagaille 6/1 1pt WIN
Myretown and Konfusion are the progressive pair in here and it pains me to go against the latter who I’m incredibly fond of, but their similar forcing style of racing could set this up for a closer in the form of Royale Pagaille, who’ll be staying on late having likely sat just off the pair throughout.
The admirable veteran was pulled up in this race last season when 5/2F, but that came off the back of a gruelling race in the Betfair Chase here when beating Grey Dawning, which evidently made its’ mark having blown out a further three times last season.
Venetia Williams masterfully crafted him back to rude health when second in a less gruelling renewal of the Betfair Chase this season when a two length second to Grey Dawning, pulling eleven lengths clear of the third. His Haydock record now reads 112111PU52 with the sole blips coming last season, and given he’s won this race twice in the past, he’s likely to have been primed for this contest.
He has top weight to contend with once more, but that shouldn’t both him considering he won this race off 163 in 2022 and while it is a concern that Venetia Williams remains out of form, I suspect she’ll have left no stone unturned with Royale Pagaille who won’t have many better opportunities to pick up some valuable prize money at this stage in his career.
2:35 Haydock – Sky Bet Acca Freeze Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Stayers Hurdle Series Qualifier) (Class 3) (4yo+ 0-140) – Phantomofthepoints 17/2 1pt WIN
I’m surprised Phantomofthepoints isn’t closer to favouritism here as he brings arguably the strongest course form on offer, and if he’s over his fall on chase debut at Uttoxeter last month then he could prove tough to peg back from the front.
He posted a career best in the Betfair Stayer’s Handicap Hurdle here last season when faring best of the prominent racers in a race which saw eight of the fifteen runners pull up, before hanging badly right late on at Chepstow when looking like the winner. He backed that up when returning to the winners enclosure at Wincanton ahead of a subsequent winner in second and the subsequent EBF Novices Handicap Hurdle Final runner-up.
His form dipped slightly thereafter, but after wind surgery in August he returned with another third in the valuable Haydock contest with a gallant front running effort. The fourth was just touched off in class two company at Cheltenham next time out, and the fifth comfortably took a Pertemps contest next time out.
He remains 2lbs higher than the best of his efforts thus far, but he’s in significantly weaker company than what he’s predominantly kept in this sphere and if getting into a rhythm in front he can prove tough to catch back down in class.
Ascot Racing Tips (Saturday 7 January 2026)
Ascot’s first jumps card of 2026 hosts the Grade 1 Clarence House Chase, though every contest at the Berkshire venue looks competitive on Saturday. Matty’s selection runs in a handicap chase at an each-way price.
2:20 Ascot – bet365 Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 2) (5yo+) – Neon Moon 9/1 1pt EW 3 places
This looks a competitive race on paper but for potentially all the wrong reasons as you could poke holes in almost all of these runners who aren’t the most honest of thoroughbreds. The booking of Harry Cobden on Neon Moon catches the eye, as the combination have an impressive 29.41% strike rate when teaming up together (5-17).
Cobden’s sole ride on Neon Moon came on his penultimate outing when staying on strongly to win over C&D taking advantage of a pace collapse and a similar scenario could be envisaged here.
He failed to back that up last time out at Ludlow, but that came carrying 11-12 and he’s generally disappointed when having to carry a lofty weight, whereas all of his four chase successes have come when carrying 11-1 or lower.
Despite the step back up in class, he claims bottom weight and the return of Harry Cobden is a significant addition in a race that looks far more winnable than on paper.
Matty Sutcliffe’s Best Bets
2:00 Haydock – Sky Bet Peter Marsh Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) – Royale Pagaille 6/1 1pt WIN
2:20 Ascot – bet365 Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 2) (5yo+) – Neon Moon 9/1 1pt EW 3 places
2:35 Haydock – Sky Bet Acca Freeze Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Stayers Hurdle Series Qualifier) (Class 3) (4yo+ 0-140) – Phantomofthepoints 17/2 1pt WIN
PhantomofthepointsMatty Sutcliffe’s Tips – Saturday 17 January
FAQs
What are today’s racing tips?
Matthew Sutcliffe provides his best bets at Ascot & Haydock on Saturday 17 January.
When were Matthew Sutcliffe’s tips published?
Matty Sutcliffe’s Ascot & Haydock tips were published at 9.20am on Friday 16 January.
Who is Matthew Sutcliffe?
Matthew Sutcliffe is GGs newest contributor, often providing a value angle for his tips. He writes weekly columns for the weekend’s racing, as well as taking aim at ante-post markets at the Cheltenham Festival.
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