Jaysella & Carolines’ Saturday Selections for 17th January 2026

Jaysella’s Saturday Selections from Haydock Park & Ascot and Caroline’s Saturday Selections from Navan

Haydock Park

Sky Bet Supreme Trial Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 1.25
Old Park Star
Well, there might be just the six of them for the Rossington Main, but it’s a real cracker of a race. Now, I saw Hurricane Pat win the Claremont at Sandown Park, where I thought Dan Skelton’s Soldier Reeves had a decent chance, but he couldn’t lay a finger on Hurricane Pat, and neither could the odds-on favourite Sober Glory, who was a bit disappointing all in all. But, here we have Nicky Henderson’s Old Park Star lining up, and he’s two from two for the Seven Barrows yard, so Hurricane Pat probably has to step on it again, and has gotta give Old Park Star 2lbs. For me, these are the three to battle this Grade 2 out, with Old Park Star edging it over Hurricane Pat.

Sky Bet Peter Marsh Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 2.00
Konfusion
I’m in two minds here, as I just love seeing Venetia Williams Royal Pagaille do what he does best – win at Haydock Park. So, the heart says Royal Pagaille, but the head says Konfusion, and that’s based solely on the good to soft going. These days, I reckon that Royal Pagaille needs its plenty testing to be seen at his best, though in his last run in the Betfair Chase, he did look back to his old best back where he likes to be more than anywhere. But, given this ground, Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith’s rapidly improving Konfusion might just have too much for Royal Pagaille, and with Myretown also likely to take a prominent position, there’ll be enough pace at the front. More rain, and the scales weigh in Royal Pagaille’s favour, but if it stays good to soft, I’ll back Konfusion to run the legs off him and Myretown!

Ascot

BetMGM Warfield Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 1.40
La Conquiere
I think this this one’s going to Jamie Snowden’s La Conquiere, and I’m telling ya that she don’t need to improve much from her last run at Newbury to take this. Patiently ridden until the 2 furlong pole, La Conquiere showed plenty of toe once Gavin Sheehan got to work, so for me will have too much pace for Dan Skelton’s Nurse Susan, who’s hit a sweet spot in search of the hat-trick, and although she always goes well at this time of year, I just wonder if a bare two miles is a bit sharp for here these days. Joe Tizzard’s Sunset Marquesa makes up my three for the money, but La Conquiere looks one going places and should win this.

bet365 Handicap Chase 2.20
Vincenzo
Only a brave punter would back against Ben Pauling in chase races just now, but I’ll stand up and say that Vincenzo can do just that! There you are Ben & Ben, challenge on! I may live to regret this confident call halfway through Saturday’s Ascot card, but Vincenzo is nothing if not super consistent and I’m expecting another big run for Sam Thomas, and after hitting the bar twice this term, maybe he can get the better of Ben Pauling’s Bad up Ascot’s stiff finish. Gotta tell you though, this ain’t no two horse race, as Joe Tizzard’s Scarface should be bang in the mix, while Paul Nicholls’ Hitman was second in this race last year, but does have to lump around 12 stone in a race with a bit of pace about it. Recent course winner, Dan Skelton’s Etalon is a tempting each-way angle, if that’s your thing, but Vincenzo gets my my money!

BetMGM Holloway’s Handicap Hurdle 2.53
Faivoir
This is my big gamble of the day, Faivoir to return to winning ways over timber, but I will need the race to pan out in his favour for that to work. Ideal scenario, a bit of a battle for pace at the front, quite possibly by Marche D’aligre or Moveit Like Minnie, and Harry Skelton to switch Faivoir off at the back of the field and make a classic late move coming round the home turn. That’s the plan, well that’s my plan! Let’s see what happens. So, this week there’s been plenty of money down for Jeremy Scott’s Came From Nowhere, who has a bit of form over a couple of these, while Ben Pauling’s Samuel Spade has won here before and is my each -way pick. Faivoir to put in a big run with a perfect piece of timing from super Harry Skelton.

BetMGM Clarence House Chase (Grade 1) 3.30
Il Etait Temps (nb)
Just gotta be everyone’s banker of the day, Il Etait Temps, and I’m on Willie Mullins’ grey with all I can spare! Now, old Willie boy is just getting his big runners coming to the boil at the right time for the Dublin Racing Festival in two weeks time, and that’s close enough to the Cheltenham Festival to keep them on simmer from the DRF to the big one in March at Prestbury Park. Having said all that, I know there’s gonna be some dyed in the wool Jonbon supporters out there who will give Nicky Henderson’s star chaser another chance away from Cheltenham, but in my book he’s seen his best days and Il Etait Temps sits at the top of the two mile chasing tree. Dan Skelton’s Thistle Ask is likely to bound off at the front, so pace is guaranteed, while Jonbon and Il Etait Temps play cat and mouse in behind – then Il Etait Temps wins!

Navan

Race Displays Rated Novice Hurdle 12.10
Fierce Handay
Gordon Elliott’s Lazare De Star won at the Leopardstown Festival the last day, but that was over 2 miles 5, so this drop back to the minimum isn’t an obvious move. By contrast, Noel Meade’s Fierce Handay has winning form over this trip, and won’t be bothered with the soft ground, so that’s where I’m sticking my pin. Joseph O’Brien’s Zeus Power didn’t take long to get off the mark over hurdles, going in at the second time of asking at Thurles, so looks to me the one to make a race of it. Lazare De Star and Fierce Handay to fight it out, but in receipt of 3lbs, Fierce Handay gets my vote.

QuinnBet Beginners Chase 2.25
Slade Steel (nap)
No doubt about it for this Beginners Chase, as I think Slade Stell is winning this. He’s been waiting a while to lose that maiden tag over fences, and was going well the last day at Punchestown when brought down four out. So, to me there’s a bit of unfinished business for Darragh O’Keefe, and he’ll be minded to keep Slade Steel safe from any trouble this time. I’ll be thinking that Gordon Elliott’s Wingmen is good for making the pace, and that can set the race up for Slade Steel.