Six horses to follow this weekend including a 20-1 shot at Ascot

Ascot hosts the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle on Saturday featuring an array of talented hurdlers. The Wallpark represents Ireland for trainer Gordon Elliott and owner JP McManus and has been on a winning streak since the summer, notching up four consecutive wins.

Stephen Harris has studied the action at Ascot and Haydock Park this weekend and selected six horses to follow.

EAST STREET (VALUE ANGLE)

2.05 Haydock, 3m1f Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase

James Owen’s stayer is far from exposed granted a proper test of stamina for these connections, and showed Haydock suited when winning here earlier in the month. The 7lb claimer Callum Pritchard is again booked and is riding at the very top of his game, and a strongly run race in the mud should set things up ideally for him to swoop late up the long straight.

KATEIRA

2.25 Ascot, 3m Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle

Dan Skelton’s classy mare is a smooth traveller with a turn of foot, and the decent ground conditions at Ascot on Saturday should suit her ideally under Harry Skelton. The 6lb mares allowance all round should be a big positive to her chances, and the relative emphasis on speed round here should suit against some more staying types.

HOLLOWAY QUEEN

2.40 Haydock 2m3f Listed Mares hurdle

Nicky Henderson always has a very strong hand in the mares division, and he has made no secret of the regard in which he holds this unbeaten novice hurdler.

FLEGMATIK

3.00 Ascot, 3m Handicap Chase

Dan Skelton remains in blustering form with a remarkable 17 winners in the last fortnight, and his consistent handicapper has been running himself into form from a falling mark so far this winter (weak in the market and never really landing a blow from off the pace).

CASTLE RUSHEN

3.15 Haydock, 3m Handicap Hurdle

Nicky Richards' stayer returned better than ever when winning at Carlisle in November, and his latest fourth at 33/1 came in a very strong Haydock premier handicap (travelled typically on the bridle/just one paced from three out). A patient ride from Hughes is on the cards, and he should get the strong gallop up front that he needs.

SECRET SQUIRREL

3.35 Ascot, 2m Handicap Hurdle

Hughie Morrison’s handicapper remains with upside after just six career starts over hurdles, and this test of speed on decent ground should be his optimum conditions. David Bass knows his quirks well, and he can pounce after the last with a clean run through from off the pace (after a very promising third behind Our Champ over this course and distance at the start of November).

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