Ascot tips and Haydock best bets: Barnet Fair and El Vip the pick of the punts

In the 1m handicap (16:20), Bancnuanaheireann looks decent value now reunited with apprentice jockey Alistair Rawlinson.

Rawlinson has a 50 per cent strike rate aboard the Mick Appleby trained nine-year-old having partnered him to two successes and finished runner-up on another occasion from just four rides.

The 3lb claimer clearly gets a great tune out of the veteran and Bancnuanaheireann comes into the contest on the back of a fine return to action after a six-month break when a one length fourth to Early Morning over course and distance.

Bancnuanaheireann now meets the winner on 2lb better terms and is entitled to strip much fitter for the outing.

This gelding is also able to race off an unchanged mark of 96, 6lb lower than when last succesful at Chelsmford back in December, and that gives him major each-way claims from a handicapping perspective.

Ascot tips

14.00: Muthmira
14.35: Barnet Fair (NAP)
15.10: Countermeasure
15.45: Walpole
16.20: Bancnuanaheireann (E/W)
16.55: Takatul

El Vip hot stuff at Haydock

El Vip created a huge impression when scoring on his debut and can cash-in on what looks a lenient mark to land the 1m 2f handicap on today’s card at Haydock (16:30).

This Luca Cumani trained colt got up close home to beat Twobeelucky by 1/2 a length in a seven-runner contest at Doncaster, but the narrow winning margin does not tell the whole story.

After looking very green in the early stages and going right as the stall opened, the three-year-old looked to have a mountain to climb entering the home straight as the two leaders kicked clear.

However, the penny then began to drop and El Vip quickened up smartly under hands and heels riding to get up close home and be well on top at the finish.

It was a most taking performance from the well-bred son of Pivoyal and the front two pulled five lengths clear of the field.

The third home Stratum has since gone on to bolt-up by eight lengths at Windsor off an official rating of 84 and Acrux, who finished last and 22 lengths behind the selection, won next time up at Wolverhampton.

That gives the form a solid look and suggests that an opening handicap mark of 90 could seriously underestimate El Vip odds, with the selection looking a potential pattern race performer in the making.

Valley Of Fire fancied to blaze home

Another of our Haydock best bets today is Valley of Fire, who was a big eye-catcher last time out and looks the answer to the 7f handicap (17:00).

Trained by William Haggas, this four-year-old had some smart form as a juvenile and also ran well on two occasions last year in hot handicaps at Newmarket.

Valley Of Fire started off the campaign on a mark of 94 on the back of those efforts and it’s fair to say that he failed to sparkle in his first four runs.

However, he has gradually returned to form and his latest run when a 1 1/2 fourth of 16 to Cornwallville at Newbury suggested his time was near.

After being held-up well off the pace, Valley Of Fire was coming with a real rattle when getting squeezed-up inside the final furlong.

Granted a clear run, the son of Firebreak would have gone very close and, off an unchanged mark of 86, Valley Of Fire looks weighted to get back to winning ways if taking another step forward.

Haydock best bets

14.10: Al Nafoorah
14.45: Harba
15.20: Gambit
15.55: Red Stripes
16.30: El Vip (NAP)
17.00: Valley of Fire (NB)
17.30: Vanishing Point

Related

You’ll find more worthy wagers on the Coral horse racing page.