Alan Kelly’s Horse Racing Tips for Saturday 21st January

At the time of writing (11.00am Friday) the only thing that can be said with any certainty is that ITV3 cameras will be showing some horse racing on Saturday afternoon. What is less certain is just what that coverage will consist of, due to inspections taking place at Haydock (8.00am Saturday) and Taunton (4.00pm Friday).

With so much uncertainty, the following tips may, or may not, be part of ITV’s coverage. But as things stand, it is probably wise to hedge our bets somewhat in an effort to find some winners on the main racing day of the week.

“Tip of the Day” - Fontaine Collonges (2.40pm Haydock) - 9/4 with Coral*

In receipt of 17lb and with conditions to suit, Venetia Williams’ eight-year-old mare can prove too good for Haydock standing dish Bristol De Mai.

Alan Kelly's Nap Of The Day

2.40pm Haydock

Fontaine Collonges should relish today's conditions

Get 9/4 on Fontaine Collonges with Coral

At 9/4 a £10 bet would return £32.50

Haydock Park

January 21, 2023

2:40 pm GMT

1.30pm Haydock, 1m 7 1/2f - Matata (Each Way)

An excellent turnout for this Grade 2 novices’ hurdle. The Dan Skelton-trained Pembroke ticks a lot of boxes after a couple of hugely impressive victories, one of which came on heavy ground at Wetherby. On the down side, in a race featuring so many promising types, odds in the region of 6/4 represent little in the way of value.

Despite a field of seven runners, many bookmakers are going three places. And with that in mind I think MATATA (e.w.) from the Nigel Twiston-Davies stable can make the frame at the very least. The mount of Daryl Jacob was narrowly beaten by fellow rival War Soldier here on his most recent start despite taking a keen hold. Less forceful tactics can see the son of Vadamos in an even better light.

Alan's Tip

1.30pm Haydock

Nigel Twiston-Davies' Matata can make the frame

Get 14/1 on Matata (e.w.) with Betfred (3 places)

At 14/1 a £10 win bet would return £150

Haydock Park

January 21, 2023

1:30 pm GMT

2.05pm Haydock, 1m 7 1/2f - I Like To Move It

Epatante, winner of the Champion Hurdle in 2020, is the clear form choice in this trial for the championship contest on the first day of the Cheltenham Festival in March. I’m not sure the talented performer really appreciates ground this testing however and at the age of nine the mare is getting no younger.

While a slightly disappointing favourite when only sixth in Cheltenham’s Relkeel Hurdle on New Year’s Day, Nigel Twiston-Davies’ I LIKE TO MOVE IT had previously looked a Champion Hurdle contender when defying top weight to win the valuable Greatwood Hurdle at Prestbury Park and deserves another chance to get his hurdling career back on track.

2.12pm Lingfield, 7f - Dancinginthewoods (Each Way)

The booking of jockey Ryan Moore for All The King’s Men, who will be having his first start for in-form trainer George Boughey (9 winners from last 29 runners) since coming from France recently, certainly takes the eye, as the son of Kingman could have been let in lightly here off a 79.

The betting is expected to prove the best guide to the chances of the five-year-old. But one horse who looks sure to give his running and makes plenty of each-way appeal is the Amy Murphy-trained DANCINGINTHEWOODS (e.w.).

The six-year-old gelding won an apprentice handicap at Kempton in October when partnered by today’s 3lb claimer Frederick Larson, since when the selection has gone down narrowly in a couple of Southwell handicaps. Providing the consistent Dancinginthewoods gets the breaks from his draw in stall five, the consistent performer looks sure to go close.

Alan's Tip

2.12pm Lingfield

Dancinginthewoods makes plenty of each way appeal

Get 15/2 on Dancinginthewoods (e.w.) with bet365 (4 places)

At 15/2 a £10 win bet would return £85

Lingfield Park

January 21, 2023

2:12 pm GMT

2.30pm Taunton, 2m 3f - Oscars Moonshine (Each Way)

The JP McManus-owned Lock’s Corner has hit a rich vein of form of late and is on a hat-trick here following wins at Catterick and Ayr. The nine-year-old looks sure to run another big race, especially with the 7lb claim of rider Jamie Brace. But with only 10st 4lb to carry, I like the chance of OSCARS MOONSHINE (e.w.) and jockey Bryony Frost.

Paul Nicholls’ lightly raced gelding blundered his chance away 2 out when moving into third place at Ffos Las just before Christmas and is now only 2lb higher than when winning at Wincanton back in October 2020.

Alan's Tip

2.30pm Taunton

The lightly weighted Oscars Moonshine can make the frame

Get 13/2 on Oscars Moonshine (e.w.) with William Hill (4 places)

At 13/2 a £10 win bet would return £75

Taunton

January 21, 2023

2:30 pm GMT

2.40pm Haydock, 3m 1 1/2f - Fontaine Collonges (Nap)

Back racing on heavy ground and on his favourite track, I am loath to desert Haydock specialist Bristol De Mai. Daryl Jacob’s mount has just turned 12 however and has to concede lumps of weight to his five rivals and I think the concession of 17lb to the Venetia William-trained FONTAINE COLLONGES may prove a step too far for the admirable grey.

Like Bristol De Mai, the eight-year-old mare relishes testing conditions, as when winning a valuable handicap chase on the course last November. The mount of Charlie Deutsch probably found Kempton too sharp when fourth behind Remastered on that track just after Christmas and will be much more at home under today’s conditions.

Alan Kelly's Nap Of The Day

2.40pm Haydock

Fontaine Collonges should relish today's conditions

Get 9/4 on Fontaine Collonges (Nap) with Coral

At 9/4 a £10 bet would return £32.50

Haydock Park

January 21, 2023

2:40 pm GMT

2.47pm Lingfield, 1m 2f - Al Agaila (Next Best)

Making a mockery of her handicap mark of 79 over course and distance last month, the Simon & Ed Crisford-trained AL AGAILA was so impressive on that occasion that a rise of 11lb is unlikely to prevent the daughter of Lope De Vega from following up in this Class 2 fillies’ handicap.

The mount of James Doyle meets the second and third horses home, Makinmedoit and Tequilamockingbird, on 10lb worse terms. But a bigger danger to the selection may come in the shape of Morgan Fairy and jockey Tom Marquand, who landed a bit of a gamble on the course on the final day of last year.

Alan Kelly's Next Best

2.47pm Lingfield

Simon & Ed Crisford's Al Agaila can defy an 11lb rise in the weights

Get 6/5 on Al Agaila with Paddy Power

At 6/5 a £10 bet would return £22

Lingfield Park

January 21, 2023

2:47 pm GMT

3.10pm Haydock, 3m 1/2f - De Legislator

Including the 7lb claim of rider Patrick Wadge, the Lucinda Russell-trained DE LEGISLATOR gets into this Class 3 handicap with just 10st to carry on the six-year-olds handicap debut.

Unbeaten in both starts over hurdles after winning an Irish point-to-point, the selection will find this tougher than when winning minor contests at Hexham and Kelso but is already proven on heavy ground and is fancied to keep his unbeaten record at the main expense of Broadway Boy from the Nigel Twiston-Davies stable.

Alan's Tip

3.10pm Haydock

Lucinda Russell's De Legislator can remain unbeaten

Get 5/2 on De Legislator with bet365

At 5/2 a £10 bet would return £35

Haydock Park

January 21, 2023

3:10 pm GMT

3.17pm Taunton, 3m 4 1/2f - Quick Wave

Top weight Frodon is sure to make a bold bid from the front in an effort to give the Ditcheat stable of Paul Nicholls their fourth consecutive victory in the race in which Yala Enki proved successful in 2020, 2021 and 2022. It is always dangerous to write off the chances of the 11-year-old and his partner Bryony Frost. But if the Venetia Williams-trained QUICK WAVE is in the same kind of form as when hacking-up at Sandown last month, the mare is capable of spoiling the party for Frodon supporters.

Robert Dunne’s mount was sent off favourite for the Welsh Grand National last time but failed to get competitive after being hampered by a faller and losing a shoe. The daughter of Gentlewave will be much more at home in this smaller field and in a race hopefully not overshadowed by the rivalry of the two jockey’s, Quick Wave is fancied to come out on top.

Alan's Tip

3.17pm Taunton

Quick Wave is fancied to come out on top

Get 11/4 on Quick Wave with bet365

At 11/4 a £10 bet would return £37.50

Taunton

January 21, 2023

3:17 pm GMT

* Betting odds correct at the time of publication. All odds are subject to changes.

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