Racing from Ascot headlines Saturday’s action, though plenty of tracks go to post on what should be an enthralling Saturday of racing.
Andrew Mount enjoyed a 9/2 winner on Friday and returns for Saturday with three best bets, with one each coming from Ascot, Haydock & Lingfield.
Lingfield Racing Tips (Saturday 17 January 2026)
Eight races will be held at Lingfield on Saturday, with Andrew Mount targeting the first race of the entire day for his best bet on the card.
11.30 Lingfield – Lord Mayor (1.5pts win – 11/8 bet365)
Lord Mayor could only finish 12th of 13 on his racecourse debut at Kempton in mid-November but Andrew Balding’s 22-1 shot was stuck out wide in stall 12 of 13 (non-runner adjusted) in that 1m Class 2 restricted maiden and he ran green. The Cityscape colt also finished well held at Lingfield on his second outing, finishing a 125-1 ninth of 11 in a 1m maiden, but showed plenty more over the same course and distance on his third start, running on into an 80-1 third of eight in novice company under 7lb claimer Alfie Redman. He doesn’t have to improve on the clock on his handicap debut (he has the best last time out speed figure according to Proform), Oisin Murphy takes over and the step up to 1m2f looks likely to suit. Since the beginning of 2021, his yard’s colts are 36 from 164 (22% strike-rate) when making their handicap debuts for a profit of £96.49 to a £1 level stake at SP (+£145.01 at Betfair SP after 2% commission).
Haydock Racing Tips (Saturday 17 January 2026)
The Peter Marsh Chase is the big race at Haydock on Saturday, but Andrew’s best bet comes in the race afterwards, a competitive staying handicap hurdle.
2.35 Haydock – Solar System (1pt win – 5/1 bet365, Sky Bet, Paddy Power)
I gave Both Barrels a positive mention on GG’s Weekend Watch on Thursday, but I’ve cooled on his chances now thanks to the presence of other pacesetters. The first Joel Parkinson/Sue Smuth runners to return to action following the cold snap finished their races off weakly at Fontwell on Thursday, suggesting that Heather Honey might just need this after a five-week break. Of greater interest is Solar System, despite the 301-day layoff. The Philip Hobbs and Johnson White-trained seven-year-old was a big eyecatcher when landing the 2m5f handicap on this card last year as he was the only winner on the day to score from off the pace. He didn’t build on that in two subsequent outings, but they didn’t go fast enough for him over the extended 2m4f trip at Newbury next time and his 2m7f Bangor fourth can be blamed on a bad mistake three out. He’s capable of running well when fresh and is open to improve at today’s 3m trip.
Ascot Racing Tips (Saturday 17 January 2026)
The Holloway’s Handicap Hurdle is the most notable race on the Clarence House Chase undercard at Ascot on Saturday, and Andrew picks out an each-way bet in the contest.
2.53 Ascot – Tripoli Flyer (1pt e/w – 7/1 generally)
Tripoli Flyer failed to take to fences on his first two runs this term before his outclassed 28-1 fifth of six behind Sir Gino in the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day. In-form Fergal O’Brien’s seven-year-old has form figures over hurdles below that level of 2111 (3-4) and his mark of 140 doesn’t look insurmountable on his first start in handicap company, especially with Fern O’Brien taking off 5lb. When riding for her father in handicaps (over hurdles or in Flat turf races) her record stands at 19 winners from 97 runners for a profit of £11.44. Those who started in the first three in the betting were 17 from 41 for a profit of £26.44.
Andrew Mount’s Best Bets Today
11.30 Lingfield – Lord Mayor (1.5pts win – 11/8 bet365)
2.35 Haydock – Solar System (1pt win – 5/1 bet365, Sky Bet, Paddy Power)
2.53 Ascot – Tripoli Flyer (1pt e/w – 7/1 generally)
Solar SystemAndrew Mount’s Horse Racing Tips – Saturday 17 January
Today’s Meetings & Start Times
- Lingfield – first race 11:30
- Haydock – first race 12:15
- Ascot – first race 12:25
FAQs: Today’s Racing Tips
What are today’s racing tips?
Andrew Mount provides his best bets at Lingfield, Haydock & Ascot.
Which racecourses run on Saturday 17 January 2026?
Ascot, Haydock, Lingfield, Southwell & Taunton.
Who is Andrew Mount?
Andrew Mount is a leading horse racing adviser, expert pundit and journalist, contributing regularly to the Racing Post, Racing & Football Outlook, Racing Post Weekender and William Hill radio as well as providing a daily tipping column for the GG.co.uk website for more than 20 years.
When were today’s Lingfield, Haydock and Ascot tips published?
Today’s tips were published at 4.58pm on Friday 16 January 2026.
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